Pandemic Post 

Eleven years has passed since our dad, Frank Sigurdson, died. Lots has happened in the family, for sure. For one thing, there are more of us, as Dad's grandkids continue having kids of their own. Dad never got to meet his great-grandchildren, but there are many of them now. Dad had a powerful relationship with his older grandchildren, keeping in touch with them even from afar. 

My youngest, Nola, was not quite in that group, with her older siblings and cousins who knew their grandad into their teens or even early twenties. Nola was two when Dad died. Still, though she has no direct memories of him, I'm so glad that he got to meet her, and she him. (see the photo of them below.) His grandchildren were all very special to Dad.

This year, of course, we're remembering him from a very unusual point in history. We're all locked down and struggling with the COVID pandemic restrictions. It has been almost a year now, in fact, and the end doesn't seem close enough. It is hard to stay connected, since we are spread all around, from England to Winnipeg to Calgary, and can't travel, can't visit.

This reality hit home particularly hard just this past week, when our mom, Helen Sigurdson, fell in her suite, breaking her hip. That is always hard on anyone, especially older people. Indeed, Dad had a fall and broke a hip in his last year. He went through a lot of pain and a slow recovery. Thankfully, Mom's break was not as bad, as she needed only a half hip replacement. Still, things will be long and hard. I feel for her so much. Yet I can't go to Winnipeg, and couldn't visit her even if I was there. So hard. I miss her so much.

So Mom has been through a lot lately, moving into Dakota House, and assisted living apartment, and then getting locked down. I've been thinking about how Dad might have reacted to these life changes. I think he'd have enjoyed Dakota House and assisted living. A hugely social guy, he loved to chat with people and meet new friends. And his other big love was food, and it is terrific at Dakota House. Indeed, the eating relations pre-COVID were ideal for Dad -- good food in a social atmosphere.

But I'm also sure that Dad would have struggled with the COVID restrictions. He had a very difficult time staying inside, not visiting, not shopping, not seeing people. He was a social cat, as I said before. And he got restless. I don't know what he'd do if he couldn't sneak out to putter around in this store or that, picking up more treasures along the way.  

Anyway, as I remember Dad on the anniversary of his death, it hits home how much I miss him. Dad had a profound influence on me, and my own values and ethics have been shaped by his example. While I no longer have him around to talk to, his memory and example are with me forever.