Toronto Trip — Dad’s Health Condition (& My Heart) Calls

Hello, Hello!

Well a good number of you helped me see my brother in Alberta last November. I now seek to travel to Toronto to see my 86-year-old father, who, following and amidst medical adventure that began with a quadruple bypass in 2002, has repeatedly referred to a feeling that he may be in his final days. He has undergone many, many other surgeries and procedures since his bypass, resiliently indeed, but a more recent surgery, in combination with other health issues, have taken a more noticeable toll. The latest among these is a strain of COV-19. (News to me as of today.)

I last saw my father in 2011, when he was out here (Vancouver) for my mom’s matron-of-honour’s funeral. We’ve wanted another visit for some time. My mom died in 1993, and I was in Europe at the time. I didn’t have the kind of visit with her I would like to have with my dad. I’d like to record part of our conversation, hear him reflect on his life if he feels like it, have his voice available to me, keep as treasure words he speaks, or sings. Thank him. See if I can be a blessing.

Staying with my dad and his very supportive wife is not an option, given a number a factors. I have contacted The Cedars at L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill, where I have retreated before, many years ago, and they have offered to host me in their next available multi-day opening, i.e., October 7th-10th nights for a negotiable rate(!), for which I’m grateful. I am in need still of accommodation for the remainder of the trip (11th-14th nights). Faith & grace required!

Staying at The Cedars will allow me to integrate my own biographic content more completely in that area; I lived in nearby Unionville twice, graduating from high school there, and did my first year of high school in Richmond Hill while UHS was being built. I‘d moved from Calgary for the latter at 14, very affected by the social uprooting, got sick, but eventually assimilated to my new settings mainly through my church (in Scarborough) youth group. I took piano lessons in Stouffville, and got my 1st speeding ticket en route a lesson shortly after getting my driver’s license.

I stayed with a family in Richmond Hill as a nanny and housekeeper after graduating with my MA. I stayed with The Sisters of St. John the Divine in North York before and after that. (Their guesthouse is currently being renovated, or I would have contacted them with a stay inquiry too.) I worked briefly as a pastor in Innisfil, near Barrie.

There’s a lot to reflect on, accept and release in my own adventurous journey in various points in and near Toronto. I don’t know how much of that I’ll actually do on this visit, but the invitation to do some such self-integration has been calling awhile.

I’ve made $1222 my goal here, as in addition to the cost of staying at The Cedars, and the Loyola Retreat Centre in Guelph ($200 for 4 nights), flight with reasonable departure and arrival factors will likely be at least $400. (Update: it is $344.08 + $68 x 2 of require checked luggage, = $510.08). And other transit, to reach Toronto and/or other spots from where I’m staying, = $150-200, estimated = $960 - $1010 (before deductions) plus, now, the apparent need for paid accommodation in Toronto, beyond all the retreat centres I’ve contacted (all weeks ago now, as of October 4th).

I am still on PWD (Persons With Disability) income assistance, having not yet recovered from the injury to my CNS and brain that correlated with taking the 2nd COV-19 vaccine shot.

I would appreciate any and all contributions to my goal of seeing my dad and some geographic familiarity at this time. Ontario has not seen me since a brief Christmas visit in 2010. I'd left it in 2005 following the post-grad school chapter.

Thank You, Everyone!