Barachois Pond Park

On the day we scattered Mary's ashes at Barachois, we woke up to a miserable, grey, drizzly day. I swore on it. A miserable day for a miserable event.

As we gathered at the park, the rain faded, the dark clouds drifted away and it turned into a gorgeous, sunny, summer's day.

We were able to turn the somber event into an afternoon of teaching the grandkids to swim - in the exact place mom had first taught all of us to swim.

2 families at a BBQ at a campground. 1970s photo.

Then

A middle-aged woman is surrounded by children, all are roasting marshmallows at a campground.20-Something woman carries 2 year old boy and they both smile for the camera, wooded area behind them.Middle-aged woman is surrounded by 6 children, all of whom are standing in front of a camping trailer.20 year old woman crouches down in the shallow end of a pond talking with a small boy.
10 year old boy swims in a pond.

Now

Young man plays in the shallow end of a pond, german shepherd swims in the background.Middle-aged woman and 2 boys play in a pond.Young woman stands with her dog on a beach, next to a pond, tree-covered hills behind her.Middle-aged woman plays with a small boy in a pond.3 women on swings at a campsite playground.

Beach Babes

Ahhh, the easy, breezy days of only having one kid to look after. This is me and mom at Barachois Pond Provincial Park - her favourite place in the world. Mom was an out-door-sy kind of person, she loved camping, skating, hiking and baseball - a Bluejays superfan.

20-something woman in sunglasses lies on the beach with a 2 year old girl.

Mom didn't like to spend anymore time indoors than absolutely necessary. I think she might have lived in the park if she could have, and I can understand why - it's beautiful and peaceful place...not to mention fun.

Smiling older woman wearing sunglasses sitting on a beach.

Sunshine and Frogs

This is mom with my cousin, Terri.

Mom's default settings were optimism, hope and joy - no matter what else was happening in her world. Every time we visit the park I'm reminded of that.

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2 women standing on a wooden deck over a pond, mountains in background.