Cheryl Memory Quilt

 

 It has taken a while to come to completion but it's been worth the wait. After Cheryl passed Gladys thought it would be nice if we had a quilt made with some patches from some of her old t-shirts, uniforms, etc. It would be a piece of her that we would always have. We had lined someone up to make the quilt but after waiting a long time she decided that she wouldn't be able to complete it. Again it was a long time before we were able to locate someone who would attempt to do it when she got time.

Earlier this year Diana and her friend began the task of putting the quilt together. Over a period of time both ladies did a fantastic job stitching together many little pieces of Cheryl's life to make Gladys's idea come to fruition. The resulting quilt includes many pieces such as her volleyball team shirt, high school, favorite hockey player Wayne Gretzky, law school, law firm, brands, tv shows, etc.

I've included a photo of each little square section of the quilt in the photos below along with a little description. Each square was about 21" by 21". 

Many of you will be able to relate to a square to 2. Feel free to drop by anytime to check it out.

Volleyball Number & U of T		Volleyball T-shirt
Marystown Central High School	University Law Games
Eastern Canadian Volleyball		Game 7 Stanley Cup Finals 2009
Clothing Line		Fav Hockey Player

Happy Valentine's Day

All the best to everyone for a Happy Valentine's Day in these Covid times. Gladys and I went out to dinner at the Monkey's Fist Restaurant at Smuggler's Cove on Saturday evening. Her mother along with her sister Marg and husband Pad went with us. We had an enjoyable meal and it was nice to get out of the house for a change.

Not much news around here only Covid related stuff. There are lots of cases in NL of the Omicron variant but it seems like finally restrictions are lessening so we may be able to move a little more freely in the not too distant future. I think most people are fed up with being cooped up in their homes for the past two years.

It's been a great winter here on the south coast in Newfoundland this year and we keep waiting for winter to happen. Of course we have had a little snow but nothing that stays any length of time. There is very little if any ice in most ponds and one certainly wouldn't venture out on them. Unusual for Newfoundland this time of year. 

Below are a couple of photos of my driveway I took yesterday February 13,  February 14, February 15 and February 19th. As you can see we didn't have any snow one day and then about 40 cm over the next 2 days. That stayed for 1 day and then rain along with warm temperatures melted all the snow in 2 days. That is the type of winter we are having this year. It think this winter will go down as one of our warmest in years. Bring on the spring. :-)

February 13, 2022

February 14, 2022

February 15

 

 

February 19

 

 

50th Wedding Annversary Dec. 28,2021

On this day in 1971 Gladys and I were married in the old Sacred Heart Church in Marystown on a cold, windy and stormy day. It seems like only yesterday - time sure flies. 

We held a little reception for our families at my mom & dad's place in Marystown. There aren't too many photos but we have held on to a few which I posted below. As well there are a few from throughout the years that we came across. A few are from a little album someone put together for our 25th anniversary. You will also see below a little poem that our niece Sandra Lee wrote for us. 

We have been fortunate to both have come from very large families - Gladys from a family of 13 children and me from one of 12. That has never been more evident than in the past 8+ years since Cheryl was first diagnosed. They along with our extended families have always and continue to support us in anyway they can. As well we have been very fortunate to have met and become friends with so many of Cheryl's friends. You will never know how often an email, a text, a call or a card have made our day. It's always so nice to hear from each and everyone of you. Cheryl was always afraid that she would be forgotten - I don't think that will happen in our or your lifetime. God Bless  you all.

Thank you for reading this and thanks for being nice to us.

All the best for a healthy and prosperous New Year in 2022. Hopefully things will ease with the pandemic and we will be able to see one another freely.

Barry & Gladys

                December 28, 1971                                                        December 28, 2021

Below are a few other wedding photos as well as a few taken throughout the past 50 years.

Walking down the aisle.

Wedding Party

L to R: Gladys's dad Michael, her mom Annie, her sister Mary, Gladys, Me, my brother Pat, my mom Priscilla, my dad Alfred

First Dance

Cutting the cake.

At the altar - Pat, me, Gladys & Mary

This photo was taken during Christmas in 1973. Cheryl seems a little tired.

Taken at Wong's in Marystown, not sure when.

Not sure when this one was taken but it was at home here in Marystown. I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate it today. :-)

This one was taken on our 40th Anniversary - wow, 10 years ago!

From looking at my hair it was taken quite a few years ago! :-)

Taken at Cheryl's Dalhousie Grad in 1994

Below is a little poem written for us by our niece Sandra Lee on the occasion of our 25th Anniversary in 1996. Thought it was kind of cute and you would get a kick out of reading it. Enjoy.

Christmas Trees 2021

Hi all:

I do hope that you have all had a happy and healthy 2021. As we approached the Christmas season I have decided to do the Christmas tree posting again. I haven't sent out any requests for photos but a couple of people have told me they were going to send along photos of their tree so this is a start.

In August we lost my brother Pat's wife Evelyn who loved everything that was a cause for celebration. She loved the photos of the trees last year and I'm sure she would feel the same this year. Condolences to our brother Pat as well as his and Evelyn's families as I'm sure there will be a few sad moments for them all during this holiday season. Remember the good times and all the kinds words Evelyn had for everyone. 

Brian & Josie

So first off the mark with trees is my brother Brian and his wife Josie from Brampton, ON. There a couple of photos here - one of their beautiful decorated tree and one of a lovely decoration with a photo of Cheryl that stands front and centre.

Marg & Pad

This tree is compliments of Gladys's sister Marg and husband Pad in Burin.

Tish and Darren

This photo is of the decorated playground in Dildo where the playground committee as a fund raiser sold candy canes in honour of family members who have passed away. Tish and Darren had candles lit in honour of our Cheryl and their brother Terry Brennan.

Barry & Gladys

Gladys did her masterful job as always decorating our tree. Each ornament goes on with care as she knows where each originated and they all are special. Here's a photo of the tree along with a closeup of the ornament with Cheryl's picture along with an Oiler mummer.

Paddy & Alison

This beautifully decorated tree belongs to Gladys's nephew Paddy, his wife Alison and children Liam, Jack & Cheyenne who live in Burin. As well the second photo shows the tree at their restaurant The Monkey's Fist at Smuggler's Cove. Besides the lovely tree take notice wood stove and oven as well as the rocking chair -it represents what you would have seen in a Newfoundland home many years ago. Very nice.

Mrs. Brennan

This tree belongs to Gladys's mother Annie who is still going strong at 91 and loves having her tree up and decorated with many precious ornaments. Thanks to Penny and Gladys for helping out.

Maria, Ben, Matteo & Naia

This lovely tree belongs to our friend Maria, her husband Ben and children Matteo & Naia in Toronto. There is also a photo of Naia with the tree which she decorated.

Therese, Neil, Isabella & Anderson

This lovely tree belongs to my niece Therese, her husband Neil as well as their two children Isabella and Anderson. Below is a photo showing Isabella & Anderson in front of their tree as well as a photo of their ornament with Cheryl's picture on it.

Lisa, Franz, Ella & Luke

This photo is from Cheryl's high school friend Lisa, her husband Franz as well as children Ella & Luke of Toronto who are spending Christmas at their cottage on Woods Bay Lake north of the city. Things are looking up for them as they spent the last 3 days without power meaning they had to bring water from the Lake to keep going. Ah, Lisa I'm sure your mother and her family could sympathize with you having experienced similar situations growing up on Allan's Island, Newfoundland. Enjoy your break from the fast paced life of the big city.

Penny, Linden, Kevin & Karen

This lovely tree belongs to Gladys's sister Penny, her husband Linden and children Kevin & Karen who are home for Christmas having spent the last semester at Memorial University continuing their studies - Kevin in 4th year and Karen in her second year.

Michelle, Danny, Maya & Theo

Cheryl's good friends Michelle & Danny's and their two children Maya & Theo of Toronto own this lovely tree. It looks like there was nobody on the naughty list at their home this year as Santa was pretty generous. The second photo show Maya and Theo standing in front of their tree

 

Krista, Wince & Lucus

This lovely tree belongs to Gladys's niece Krista, her partner Wince and son Lucus in St. John's. This year Krista hosted Christmas dinner at her house along with her brothers Evan and Tommy. Things got pretty hectic at times but as Krista says "in the Merriest of ways!" Glad that things went well and you all had a great dinner together.