It is difficult to be entirely positive in this new year.
In the middle of March 2020, Montreal went into our first Lockdown – in response to Covid 19 and what turned out to be the First Wave. The restrictions saw all non-essential services shut down, thousands of employees sent home to work remotely, and students launched into online schooling. We all thought it would be a few weeks, a couple of months, perhaps. We were all wrong. It is the beginning of 2021, and we’re in the middle of the Second Wave of the Pandemic now, and another Lockdown.
2020 has proven quite tragic for so many of us. But along with the sadness, there has been hope and a glimpses of new beginnings as well.
New Beginnings in 2020
Our youngest, Elena, graduated from Cedarcrest Elementary in the middle of the Pandemic. Both she and Matteo are now attending LaurenHill Academy – she is in the Junior campus now, while Matteo attends Senior campus.
I obtained an MA in Educational Technology from my alma mater, Concordia University, in Spring 2020, and am pursuing my second career in Instructional Design and eLearning development. This is training and instruction, mostly for adults, on all media platforms – from print (manuals, job aids, pamphlets), to online (synchronous and asynchronous video, eLearning instruction), and maybe even beyond (AR and VR are expensive options – but they are in the horizon). Exciting possibilities!
And while we were restricted from gathering, time still marches on, and there were occasions for some small celebrations.
The saddest Good-Bye
Soon after my dad turned 87, he took ill and was hospitalized. On Thanksgiving Monday, October 12, 2020, Kuen On (Kenneth) Lee passed away quietly in Charles LeMoyne Hospital, in Brossard, Québec. While he did not die of Covid 19, the Pandemic just made the trauma of his passing all the worse. We were unable to gather more than 20 at a time at the funeral home for his service, and provincial restrictions meant no one could travel into Montreal either. Condolences came from phone calls, emails, online video calls and chats.
His service can still be seen online here: https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/18679
And his online obituary as well, along with some of the kind words of condolences from near and far: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/brossard-qc/dr-kuen-on-lee-9731063
It has been a tragic time for my mother; my bother, Michel who came to stay for a month from Ottawa; and my sister, Patricia who could only be comforted from her home in Australia; and me. My brother and I stayed with my mother in the weeks following my father’s passing. Family and friends have been invaluable – their kindness is always appreciated. My father’s had a very true impact on all our lives. We are trying to be true to his spirit now and in the years to come.
We have gathered many photos commemorating my dad’s life with us. Lately, my mother has added many more photos – a lifetime of happy memories. Here is a link to that album on Google Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/HNst3QBaF3rxrWeH6
A year of lessons
If the Pandemic – and my dad’s passing – has taught me anything, it’s to cherish my family and friends. While we’re forced to live apart for now, we can still keep in touch. Write a note, send a card, or text, email or facetime each other. Life is fleeting.
Hugs and kisses, JL