05/12/2023
UPDATE
Thank You
Update Letter from my Dad.....May 5, 2023
May 6, 2023
“We can’t imagine…” is a phrase we heard many times. And it IS hard to imagine such a difficult time. So one more time…
“We can’t imagine”… the amount of support we received from all of you in every shape and form. For all of “that and those”, we can’t express our thanks enough. It has meant so very much. Our family and friends have really helped us move through each day. We are just so blessed.
The Life & Times of Doug & Sandra… We took our 2-weeks in Collingwood to re-group, hug each other, cry together, and think about where the next path will lead. The day after we arrived, God looked after us again. The Rogers Cable TV went out and the internet went down (which also affected the phones), so we had no side distractions for 2-weeks and we were left to ourselves to process, heal and plan. Ironically, we were in the same spot that we planned the dream home 12 years earlier. We made a questionnaire of what was important to us, and thankfully, our answers that we each wrote down in privacy matched in so many ways. This laid down a map of the next turn in our lives. We both agreed that the most important things to us were being around family and friends, having a place to gather and being in nature by the river, where the sun sets and rises. Being anywhere else just didn’t feel right.
So, we are going to remain in Deux Rivieres and use the garage and loft that had gone unfinished and turn it into a new home. The upstairs loft will become 2-bedrooms, a bathroom and a sitting room for family & friends to stay when visiting, and of course one storage room. Two bays of the garage will be converted into living space, along with a small addition to the front. We will once again be beside the river we love so much, its famous sunsets and sunrises, and not to mention the fish still to be caught.
Please stop by for a visit and don’t put it off. You can expect the biggest hugs we can give. The loving and caring energy we received from all of you, the prayers and hugs you sent our way all felt like one big group hug and was really appreciated. For the summer, when not back at the property, we will be spending time in the campgrounds at the lodge in a beautiful 5th wheel trailer that was kindly loaned to us by friends.
So many of you graciously offered to help us in so many ways to rebuild our lives and we are now ready to accept your help. We need your help. Attached is a list of tasks that we will need help with, including helping hands, equipment, advice, and some quality time with us. As we move forward, the list will probably grow a little, so please keep in touch and know that it is very much appreciated.
We could never have imagined our lives leading to this point in time, but here we are. It has been emotional and we are just so grateful for the loving support of our friends, family and community during this time. Some of you we have never even met, yet you opened your hearts up to us and supported us during this time. We are so overwhelmed with gratitude. We couldn’t move forward without you. Truly.
My advice to you is to hug your family & friends & neighbors, and anything you think you want to give away or pass on, do it today. As we move on in this wonderful life and continue to heal, we will do so with this quote in mind and heart: “Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you” (Maori proverb).
Arms around you with BIG hugs,
Sandra & Doug
***If you are able to help in any way, please contact me on our cell phone at: 705-218-0821 or email me at [email protected].
TO DO LIST
Addition Plans/Blueprints?
Steel Beam to Cut Metal Clean Up
Cement Walls to Fold in Hole to fill in to 5 ft.
Rock Wall or similar covering Top Soil from Pit and grass seed
Set up White Storage Shed Clean out garage
Electrical Solar Control Panels Generator to install
Dig trenches Fuel Tanks to locate
Excavate back hill/fill Dig Foundation out to 5 ft.
Clean Up – Road/Trailers Forms for Foundation ? Pour/Bloc
Windows to Remove/Replace
Build small deck upstairs Install Patio Door upstairs
Wiring/Trench Dig Up House Wiring
Dig water line to well House Plumbing
Pontoon boat to move Septic Tank/weepers (or trench)
Remove Garage Doors Frame in Openings
Floor to go on/in Frame in addition
Furnace & Ducting to go in Electrical Wiring to Furnace
Roof Trusses to go up Roof to Sheet
Drywall with mudding Paint / Wall coverings
Siding to go on Shingles to go on roof
Vented Eves to cover
Insulation to go in walls Drywall to go in with mudding
Flooring to go in Kitchen cupboards to go in
Appliances to go in Vanities to install
Beds to install Move In
LOOKING FOR THE FOLLOWING IF YOU ARE ABLE TO DONATE/GETTING RID OF:
Insulated Windows
3 ft. wide inside doors
Front door with side light
Patio Doors or French Doors
Mirrors
Pictures
Décor
PEX Water Piping
Building Materials
