Toronto Inspires Me. Part 2.

I was planning to tell you about the people I met in Toronto who were starting or expanding businesses. People who, in spite of a shaky economy believe in the future enough to take risks, work hard, and employ people. I'd still like to tell you about them because I admire them so much. But today someone else is on my mind .

On Tuesday November 18 my Uncle George peacefully passed away. He was the last sibling left of my mother's family of nine children. They were a remarkable and amazing generation.

I last saw George in Toronto on November 1 at the wedding of his son Paul. Day 2 of my visit.

George fought cancer for most of this year. He was fighting cancer and the clock to make it to the wedding. And he did it.

We were all moved and inspired by Uncle George's presence at the wedding. It was symbolic in so many ways. Strength of spirit, the love and support of family, endurance and just plain guts. It was apparent the torch was passed and our family was made stronger for the next generation.

As the bride and groom danced their first dance, Uncle George was brought closer to get a better look.


I will always be grateful that Uncle George got his wish to be there to see Paul and Nancy get married. And that I was there to see this moment.

Sometimes we wonder why things happen the way they do. Why do people get sick, why do we have to lose the people we love just when we need them the most?

I don't know why but I do know that I must cherish and see all the goodness in the ones I love while they are with me on this earth and then continue to hold those memories in my heart long after they are gone.

Cousin Paul made the most wonderful speech at the wedding, telling us how he wanted to be just like his father when he grew up. He would go to work with him and follow him around. Uncle George was in the restaurant business through all the shaky economies of past decades, taking risks, working hard and employing people.

The wedding was a real celebration of our family, our heritage and our hope for the future.


We talked about Uncle George and his generation, how they endured, survived and achieved without complaints. These are challenging footsteps to follow.

I want us to be worthy of their memory.

Thank you Uncle George. We love you. We'll miss you.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
~1 Corinthians 13:7-8