The garage sale was a great success.  Between (3) garage sales and individual donations we were able to raise $830.  The long weekend initially looked like the worse possible weather for having a garage sale.  The forecast all week was rain, rain, rain.  Friday night the forecast still read 90% chance of rain in the morning.  Our plan was to go out anyways and if required we would just have to try again the following weekend.  We got up early to see overcast skies but no rain to start.  I put up the signs while Keri pulled out all the stuff from the garage (the garage was full thanx to our deep purge and donations from others).  By the time I got back from putting up the signs (and a stop at Tim Hortons) there was already many people at the garage sales (our neighbours the Speeks and the Feldmans also had garage sales).  We had a steady stream of people all morning and amazingly it did not rain a single drop.  People were telling us that we were the only ones having a garage sale - some people came back a second time.  By 10 am there was really nothing left and people were trying to buy our tables and rubber made totes!  Later on in the afternoon I reflected on how it was a another lesson learned for me about not worrying.  I was bothered all week about the weather forecast and felt dejected thinking that we were going to be unsuccessful in our first attempt to raise money for a great cause.  God of course had it all taken care of and showed me that His plan was to scare all the other people away that we planning on having a garage sale with a false forecast and have all the available customers come to our garage sales. Thank you very much Bridget and Sharon for donating your garage sale money to the foundation.  Thank you Shaun & Tracy, Debbie K, Mavis and Tracey O for your donated items.  Thank your Tracy O, Anne Straga and Dwayne Quinn for your donations directly to the foundation (Dwayne 'indirectly' donated by pay about 100x the advertised price on 2 books).  A family in crisis will greatly benefit from the money.

I would like us to pray for the Reilly family in Virginia.  Liam was diagnosed with DIPG almost the exact same day as Alison last April and now is starting to really struggle (they have a caring bridge site - search 'liamreilly').  He has battled hard and like Alison has never complained.  He is always happy and is a continuous blessing to his family.  Pray that God with provide Liam comfort and that the family will be lifted up.

The days, weeks and even months continue to fly by without our dear Alison.  Everyday for us brings many flash memories of 20-30 seconds and longer, deeper reflection about her.  There are 'inputs' everywhere that start the chain reaction in motion.  It is impossible to aviod it from starting and there is no way of knowing where it is going to lead.  It is a huge emotional burden to carry every day but sometimes it can also be a blessing that makes me smile.  Talking about Alison is still very awkward I think for everyone around us.  Whether it is just Keri and I, or with the kids, or neighbours, friends or family.  For me I think it is very important to talk about Alison.   I miss her like crazy so that makes it very hard but I also have perhaps an even stronger feeling of hurt because we aren't acknowledging her.  She was a really amazing child.  She was very real and a part of our lives.  She was, is and will always be my daugther even though she is not physically with us.  I feel extremely privileged to call her my daugther and no one else will ever be my best buddy.  Letz use some of the courage she has taught us to start to talk about her a little more.

Al