The Love of our Family & Friends!

We would like to say thank you for all the support and love we received on Mason's Angelversary.  Once again or family and friends were called upon and they delivered!  There was 40 people at the graveside service and more joined us at our home afterwards.  We cannot begin to express how much it touched our hearts and gave us strength to get through the day.  Mason would have been so touched by the love that was shown and the memories that were shared.  Those wonderful memories that were shared at the graveside warmed our hearts and are now treasured keepsakes we will cherish always.  The effort that went into them was amazing and we are very grateful for all the time and hard work.  Also for all the beautiful rocks that were brought and placed into the Mason Jars, it was so touching and trust me when I say that Mason is smiling and checking them all out!  His love of rocks was something else to say the least!  We are still finding rocks in the truck!!!  Every family outing to the lake or Alberta, our walks on the "Beaver Trail",  Mason would without a doubt  fill his pockets with rocks and most times pile them in the door of the truck.  Sometimes we would remind him to take them in and add them to his collection, but other times he would leave them in there until the rattling got so annoying we would empty it ourselves.  Now that rattling brings a smile to our face and a tear to our eye!  The rock symbolizes such an amazing part of Mason.  His love of nature, his strength, his courage, his ability to see the beauty in all things, and now for us a symbol of how he was and continues to be our "Rock"!
I would like to share with you a piece from Mason's Memorial on the 16th that was lead by and put together by a beautiful and gifted lady, Della Ferguson:
"This circle of people is a very sacred circle....for you have journeyed with Mason through out his highest highs and his lowest lows....and it means the world to Jade, Justin and Kale that you would join them in this circle on this, Mason's Angelversary.  You have been rocks in their lives...a foundation that they could lean on when they found it hard to stand on their own.  And you were rocks in Mason's life. 
Mason loved collecting rocks...and YOU were the most precious rocks he ever collected.  You've laughed with him...and cried with him...some of you have played swords with him and some have played hockey with him...you've communed with him over food...and you've communed with him over a movie...you've swam with him...ran with him...teased with him...and sat in silence with him...and every moment that you shared...no matter what you were doing...was precious.  You...WERE...ARE...and ALWAYS WILL BE precious to Mason.  Jade invited you to bring rocks with your names on them today...and we do so to signify the relationship you held...and continue to hold.  As we place our rocks in the Mason jars...we do so as an act of love...and I pray you do so as a gesture signifying the continued bond that is rock-solid between you and Mason."
Thank you to all who took part in that day either by being with us in person or in thought.  Your love and support is such a gift and especially your memories of Mason. They are what keep him close and still very much a part of our lives.  THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Also I would like to add that when I went to the graveside today I noticed quite a few more rocks from school friends and teachers. We are so touched and are truly humbled by the love that has been shown for our little boy!!!

All the beautiful rocks!!!

Mason's Graveside

No Matter How Hard I Try to Keep it Away, March has Arrived!

March 10th
March!  A month that now marks the worst day of our lives.  A month filled with anxiety, anger and saddness.  It is so hard for me to believe that it is already apon us when most days I still feel like it was just yesterday.  The fact that I survived a day without Mason, let alone almost a year is very hard to comprehend.  If someone would have told me that this was going to happen I would have told them that I would not survive it! And the sad part is I did.  No matter how many times I truly felt like dieing or how many times I begged God to take me too, I was forced in some un-natural way to continue on.  I know for some of you that is hard to hear, as I also have Kale to think about.  But in my heart I could not bare the thought of my little boy being alone without one of us with him.  I mean that's the way it should be? It had been that way for us for the past 3.5 years.  Mason & I together in the hospital and in Calgary and Justin & Kale together at home.  Not that it was easy or right, but what part of any of this is right?  We did what we knew was the best thing, one parent with one child, never alone! Why should this be any different?
March used to be a happy month for us.  It marked birthdays for Kale and Justin, days that were filled with celebrating and having a good time with family and friends.  Everyday now is filled with "last year at this time" or " today was the last day Mason did this".  Justin's birthday is now shared with the day we had Mason's funeral service, it will never be just Justin's birthday again.  Kale's birthday now brings memories of sadness for him as he recalls Mason skyping him from the Dominican last year and saying how excited he was to get home for Kale's birthday! Saddness wondering why he gets to get older and his little brother doesn't?

March 15th
I am sitting here remembering last year at this time, a day I have thought of often through out this year, a day of horrible memories that lead to being forced to face my worst nightmare. The words I had been terrified of hearing since Mason was diagnosed were being said to me.  I will never get that memory out of my head.  No parent should ever have to endure that amount of pain, nor should any child have to leave this earth before their parents. 
In honour of Mason we are celebrating his life tomorrow by having a grave side memorial with our immediate family and close friends with a gathering at our house afterwards.  Mason loved a party, especially with all his family and friends so even though it will be a sad day, and a day to reflect we know he would want us to be surrounded by the people who love us, and especially him.

We thank you all for your love and support and for being at our side over the past year either in person or in thought.