Celebration of Lorne's Life

We all came together once more... to a place that Lorne loved.

December 3rd, 1950 ~ September 12, 2012

Early Sunday morning, we gathered around his red convertible,

a 1986, Chrysler, LeBaron,

something he could not leave go of.

We took the roof top down, and were reminded how he 

paraded his Mother down the Harrison strip, as one of her last wishes.

Today we would parade his car from Kamloops to Chase, for one last ride.

Along the ride, we reminisced about Lorne's fields.   They were 'his fields'

He loved farming, only from a distance.

He was a builder. He was passionate about construction.

Hay sheds...

He loved to talk about the farmers that knew how to farm, and those that did not. 

We finally arrived at the band shell, 

that Lorne had built in the town of Chase,

He loved Chase and made this his home for many years.

There was not a question in the minds of his children,

 Rachel and Clinton that this would be the venue where we would celebrate.

Families and friends, young and old, gathered together

to remember the days, stories and memories of Lorne.

 Our youngest brother Orlando did an exceptional job

of leading this event, giving insight into Lorne's life and  heritage, touching the hearts of many.

Poems, tributes, and eulogies were delivered by the family.

Heart warming stories from yesteryear and today.

Food and fellowship followed.

 As I was sitting, reflecting and observing, I kept thinking...

this is exactly how  he would want us to celebrate his life.

'a party in the park'

A bundle of helium balloons were released

as a symbol of  'letting go' and giving Lorne back to God.

Lorne had left a piece of himself with every one that day,

and we knew that he was now soaring high above to his heavenly realm.

Lorne's soul will keep touching our hearts forever!

Lorne was not a man of flowers....or huge wreaths or bouquets.

He loved the simple garden flowers.

Life needed to be simple.

His friends knew what he liked.

"Do not look back and grieve over the past,

 for it is gone...and do not be troubled about the future, 

For it has not yet come.

Live in the present and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering."

Ida Scott Taylor

(this was one of Lorne's last quotes on FB)

We all left the site straggling and lingering towards the end of the day,

hearts tugging..but being reminded of his words,

"As humans we are only visitors on this earth.   

We have been given permission to use what we need,

 on the understanding that in the end,

 the land will take back that which we have borrowed." 

Marie Studholme 

(another entry written on August 13th 2012.)

 

Lorne, we will miss you.

You have taught us so much about life!

Clinton and Rachel, we love you dearly.

This was is your DAD!