I remember spending many holidays with him and my Nanny as a young child. I would wake up early and peek into their bedroom. Grampa was always awake lying in bed listening to CBC wearing his small headphones. He would wave and smile. The special cereal boxes were always waiting for me by the TV in the study and I would spend the next hour watching shows and eating while anxiously awaiting him to join me.
His love of nature was infectious. We'd spend our time wandering the local nature trails likely with some neighbour's dog on the leash. Our afternoons were likely spent nurturing his backyard birds and then sitting down to draw and write about them. His love for his wife, my Nanny, was pure and knowing she loved watching the birds made his backyard work even more important. I continue to reflect on their love and devotion and use it as a model in my own marriage.
His unconditional love for me was an important thread that weaves through my childhood memories. It has helped to shape me as a parent.
He was spiritual and found his peace and balance from nature. I have come to realize that I am much like him in this way and I love watching it develop in our children.
The name Geoffrey continues as middle names for both my brother Kyle and for Jonah.
The kids and I each thought of words that we felt best represented him and wrote them below.
We then tossed them into the South Pacific Ocean, back to nature, as that seemed most fitting.
We miss you Great G'pa.
