These past few months have been a roller coaster ride of emotions coupled with decisions and new beginnings. I found myself contemplating issues and asking often how would Kell-Anne have dealt with a particular situation or what would she have done. I find I take the time to analysis what would have been her view and try to handle issues the same way. Well I think it's working...I haven't cracked yet.
I certainly have been thinking of her alto as we had to face her fifth anniversary of her untimely, horrific death , the slap in the face of the murdered asking for an appeal, the rugby fundraiser and now the lifesaving fundraiser coming up on Kell's what would have been 30th birthday.
And of course I started new job in September, Jules and I both got colds and his ended up in a pneumonia. Facing the new daily routine of going to work downtown has been an eye opener to the poverty and homelessness that exist in Montreal. The same four people sit every day in the metro where I get off and beg for money. Some will hold the doors and have their hand opened to spare change, others will play their guitars, some look spaced out and others are just sleeping.
I know for a fact that Kelly-Anne would have probably ran to McDonald's and fed these people even if she didn't have money to spend on a meal for herself...that is how generous she was.I remember on Christmas eve in downtown Montreal. We had just arrived in front of the church and their across the street was a young homeless man. Kell jumped out of the car and tried to go purchase food at MacDonald's to give him but the restaurant was closed.
I am trying to tell myself to be a little bit more generous to others. Jules tells me that I should give them each some money for Christmas. I thought that maybe I will buy gifts certificates from McDonald's and put one in each of their cups. At least they will be able to eat something.
Kelly-Anne led by example and it is her example of kindness and generosity that I must follow. Kelly-Anne has sustained me these past months. Her spirit is ever so near and as we celebrate her life next Saturday, I know her presence at the cocktail will not be far away.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Sesame Street
"Come and play, everything is a o.k..." remembering those words and realizing that Sesame Street has now been around for 40 years hit a cord this week. Memories of Kelly-Anne, so vivid as if it were yesterday, she standing in front of the t.v. dancing to that song at the introduction of the show each morning, reminds me of just how much she loved the show.
She could not have been more than two years old and thought that Big Bird was her hero. Dancing in front of the t.v. with her curly hair and that big smile reminds me of the beautiful memories of her early childhood. I remember the Bird Bird slippers, t-shirts, pj's, birthday cake pan and numerous other souvenirs of the show. Kelly-Anne and Kim both had Bert and Ernie dolls , Cookie monster, Grouch, and of course Kermit and Miss Piggy.
Watching that show was an education in itself. Remember the number and letter of the day? Kelly-Anne got a kick out of that. The show is still on, but most of us who do not have young children or grandchildren probably never watch the show anymore.
A television show running for 40 years says alot...what other show has ran that long?
These are the sweet memories of childhood....so innocent and precious. Even in life's dramas,we can never let go of the memories of the special moments of childhood....that's what keeps me going.
She could not have been more than two years old and thought that Big Bird was her hero. Dancing in front of the t.v. with her curly hair and that big smile reminds me of the beautiful memories of her early childhood. I remember the Bird Bird slippers, t-shirts, pj's, birthday cake pan and numerous other souvenirs of the show. Kelly-Anne and Kim both had Bert and Ernie dolls , Cookie monster, Grouch, and of course Kermit and Miss Piggy.
Watching that show was an education in itself. Remember the number and letter of the day? Kelly-Anne got a kick out of that. The show is still on, but most of us who do not have young children or grandchildren probably never watch the show anymore.
A television show running for 40 years says alot...what other show has ran that long?
These are the sweet memories of childhood....so innocent and precious. Even in life's dramas,we can never let go of the memories of the special moments of childhood....that's what keeps me going.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Kelly-Anne Drummond Cocktail Fundraiser
In honor of Kelly-Anne's 30th birthday, please join us as we remember Kelly-Anne, celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Lifesaving Society and recognize the dedication and talents of the many competitive lifeguards in Quebec.
The Kelly-Anne Drummond Cocktail Fundraiser
Saturday November 28th 2009.
7:00 p.m.
Donation: $50.00
Dollard Des Ormeaux Aquatic Centre
12,001 de la Salaberry, Dollard des Ormeaux
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Lifesaving Society at 514-252-3100
We will have on hand a representative of Epicure Selections who will have gift bags containing thee lovely spice bottles for $ 21.00. For each bag sold, Epicure will donate $5.00 to the foundation.
Lolipop glass art's famous Jonathan Leon will be donating his world known pieces of art jewellery to our silent auction.
There will be raffle tickets for great prizes. Wine, beer and food will be offered.
Come join us and support our competetive lifeguards. Remember, this is the only sports which saves lives.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Saturday's Road Trip
Despite our colds and stress of last week, Jules and I decided to keep our reservations for lunch at Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg. We started this tradition last year of having Thanksgiving dinner at Willard's Inn on the site. Turkey dinner is served and as a handsome OPP police officer later that day agreed with me it's always better when someone else cooks it.
Jules and I started out on our journey to Lancaster. We stop there for cheap gas and a visit to Rob McIntosh's outlet. Of course there is always something that catches my eye. Once we approached the entrance to get back on the highway we entered a police check. A nice young officer just wanted to make sure that we and everyone else had their seat belts on. I can't imagine not wearing a seat belt as I would feel naked! Do you know what I mean?
We got to the Village around 12:30 p.m. and walked over to the Inn and had a lovely turkey dinner. Needless to say we were stuffed and walked around a bit more enjoying the sunny fall day. We then headed back to the highway and was stopped again by the OPP. I was driving and I lowered my window. This time another handsome officer asked me how I was. I replied that I was " stuffed". He asked me what I was stuffed with booze or food. I laughed and said food and told him about our lunch. He had a chuckle and off we went.
Here it was just after 2:00 p.m.and I am saying to Jules that I can't believe that people would be drinking at this hour on a Saturday. I realize that when it comes to certain things like drinking I really live in a bubble.
I think it is great that the OPP are so concerned about the motorist and their presence on the roads surely must of made an impact this weekend. Once we hit Quebec there was not an SQ in sight. That makes me feel sad as the SQ need to make more of a presence on our roads during holiday weekends.
It 's fun to get away even for the day. Sometimes we need to forget about our stresses and take a little r & r time. I remember how Kell would enjoy her road trips and I will share some of her experiences with you in another entry.
Jules and I started out on our journey to Lancaster. We stop there for cheap gas and a visit to Rob McIntosh's outlet. Of course there is always something that catches my eye. Once we approached the entrance to get back on the highway we entered a police check. A nice young officer just wanted to make sure that we and everyone else had their seat belts on. I can't imagine not wearing a seat belt as I would feel naked! Do you know what I mean?
We got to the Village around 12:30 p.m. and walked over to the Inn and had a lovely turkey dinner. Needless to say we were stuffed and walked around a bit more enjoying the sunny fall day. We then headed back to the highway and was stopped again by the OPP. I was driving and I lowered my window. This time another handsome officer asked me how I was. I replied that I was " stuffed". He asked me what I was stuffed with booze or food. I laughed and said food and told him about our lunch. He had a chuckle and off we went.
Here it was just after 2:00 p.m.and I am saying to Jules that I can't believe that people would be drinking at this hour on a Saturday. I realize that when it comes to certain things like drinking I really live in a bubble.
I think it is great that the OPP are so concerned about the motorist and their presence on the roads surely must of made an impact this weekend. Once we hit Quebec there was not an SQ in sight. That makes me feel sad as the SQ need to make more of a presence on our roads during holiday weekends.
It 's fun to get away even for the day. Sometimes we need to forget about our stresses and take a little r & r time. I remember how Kell would enjoy her road trips and I will share some of her experiences with you in another entry.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
In Thanksgiving
Today, I went to the Orthodox church of my roots. I had a mass for Kelly-Anne and my parents. Dad had died on Thanksgiving weekend some 17 years ago. The priest mentioned during the service just before his sermon Kelly-Anne's name , then made a comment about this week's news and that I had to face this again. He then spoke about what our faith is about and that we as Christians face sadness and loss.
The truth is that we were never promised that life would be perfect....and who do you know who's life is that way. I surely don't know anybody who has a perfect life. We all have a cross to bear of some sort.
We all have losted loved ones, but how we have faced that lost is probably different. For me, God has sustained me and carried me through the darkest time of my life. Many people have asked me if I ever blamed God for what happened to Kell. My answer has always and will always be no. You see I feel that there are two laws. God's laws and Man's laws. The reason that we have violence in our society is because man decided to be bigger than God and create war, abuse and genocides. These are not God's works.
Marty Cousineau decided on that horrible evening of October 3rd 2004 to take control of Kelly-Anne's life and murder her. That wasn't God 's decision....I believe that God cried when Kelly-Anne was viciously stabbed and lay there dying in her own blood. God's plan for Kelly-Anne was to live a good honest Christian life, but Marty intervened in God's plan.
I felt not alone today during the sermon as I was reminded that I am not the only person on the face of this earth who has lost a child or a loved one. Here in the church sat a father with three infant boys...his baby triplets. The mother of these triplets died suddenly. This father too has a cross to bear. There are so many sad stories out there.
I pray this Thanksgiving Sunday that those who have losted loved ones find the peace that passes all understand and that the courage that we are given through God will enable us to stand strong and face our losses with grace.
The truth is that we were never promised that life would be perfect....and who do you know who's life is that way. I surely don't know anybody who has a perfect life. We all have a cross to bear of some sort.
We all have losted loved ones, but how we have faced that lost is probably different. For me, God has sustained me and carried me through the darkest time of my life. Many people have asked me if I ever blamed God for what happened to Kell. My answer has always and will always be no. You see I feel that there are two laws. God's laws and Man's laws. The reason that we have violence in our society is because man decided to be bigger than God and create war, abuse and genocides. These are not God's works.
Marty Cousineau decided on that horrible evening of October 3rd 2004 to take control of Kelly-Anne's life and murder her. That wasn't God 's decision....I believe that God cried when Kelly-Anne was viciously stabbed and lay there dying in her own blood. God's plan for Kelly-Anne was to live a good honest Christian life, but Marty intervened in God's plan.
I felt not alone today during the sermon as I was reminded that I am not the only person on the face of this earth who has lost a child or a loved one. Here in the church sat a father with three infant boys...his baby triplets. The mother of these triplets died suddenly. This father too has a cross to bear. There are so many sad stories out there.
I pray this Thanksgiving Sunday that those who have losted loved ones find the peace that passes all understand and that the courage that we are given through God will enable us to stand strong and face our losses with grace.
Message to the Former Girlfriends of Martin Morin -Cousineau
I have received throughout the pass couple of years messages from either former girlfriends of Martin Morin- Cousineau or from family members of these ex girlfriends. I have finally decided to respond to them through my blog.
Firstly, I am sorry that you too had to be a victim of this monster. He conned you and your families. You are very fortunate that your relationship ended and that you are still alive to tell the story. I for one am the voice of my daughter Kelly-Anne who didn't stand a chance against him. All Cousineau's anger towards women finally ended with him murdering Kelly-Anne.
My mission today is to build an awareness for women to better understand that violent partner abuse is unacceptable and that women can get out of these relationships without fear of repercussion.
Guys like Cousineau have to be stopped. Imagine if you had gone to the police, maybe Cousineau would have gone to jail earlier in his life and maybe my Kelly-Anne would be alive today. I know for a fact that Cousineau had charges laid against him, but they were dropped.....out of fear perhaps?. Taking charge of a violent partner situation is every women's responsibility...yes I realize that a victim of abuse is living in fear, and feel that they are living in a cage and can't see any way out...but there is a way out.
I ask you, the former girlfriends of Martin Morin - Cousineau to help other women who may be in an abusive relationship. There are many organizations out there that support women who are being abused.
My goal in about 8.5 years is to present myself at the parole board to ask the board to keep this monster in jail. I ask all his former girlfriends....will you join me and support my efforts? Will you come out of hiding and face society and tell your story? You may be embarrassed that you are linked to this person's past or maybe your family and friends and possibly your children and husbands or boyfriends do not know of your past. I can understand that you may not want to come forward...but think for a moment about the women who we all have seen that do come out....women who are celebrities who lived sexual abuse. There are women who have written books about their abusive relationships.
I am giving you time to think about my request. Please remember that I am not angry at you for not doing something about Cousineau when you had the chance. I have to believe that you too lived in fear and did not know what to do. He over powered you and that I know.
I feel that in numbers we can make the difference......the Cousineau family visit Marty every month for three days in the trailer where his mother probably cooks his favorite meals....and for me I go to the cemetery to see Kelly-Anne's plaque and cry.
You can all contact me through his blog.
Firstly, I am sorry that you too had to be a victim of this monster. He conned you and your families. You are very fortunate that your relationship ended and that you are still alive to tell the story. I for one am the voice of my daughter Kelly-Anne who didn't stand a chance against him. All Cousineau's anger towards women finally ended with him murdering Kelly-Anne.
My mission today is to build an awareness for women to better understand that violent partner abuse is unacceptable and that women can get out of these relationships without fear of repercussion.
Guys like Cousineau have to be stopped. Imagine if you had gone to the police, maybe Cousineau would have gone to jail earlier in his life and maybe my Kelly-Anne would be alive today. I know for a fact that Cousineau had charges laid against him, but they were dropped.....out of fear perhaps?. Taking charge of a violent partner situation is every women's responsibility...yes I realize that a victim of abuse is living in fear, and feel that they are living in a cage and can't see any way out...but there is a way out.
I ask you, the former girlfriends of Martin Morin - Cousineau to help other women who may be in an abusive relationship. There are many organizations out there that support women who are being abused.
My goal in about 8.5 years is to present myself at the parole board to ask the board to keep this monster in jail. I ask all his former girlfriends....will you join me and support my efforts? Will you come out of hiding and face society and tell your story? You may be embarrassed that you are linked to this person's past or maybe your family and friends and possibly your children and husbands or boyfriends do not know of your past. I can understand that you may not want to come forward...but think for a moment about the women who we all have seen that do come out....women who are celebrities who lived sexual abuse. There are women who have written books about their abusive relationships.
I am giving you time to think about my request. Please remember that I am not angry at you for not doing something about Cousineau when you had the chance. I have to believe that you too lived in fear and did not know what to do. He over powered you and that I know.
I feel that in numbers we can make the difference......the Cousineau family visit Marty every month for three days in the trailer where his mother probably cooks his favorite meals....and for me I go to the cemetery to see Kelly-Anne's plaque and cry.
You can all contact me through his blog.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
A Slap in the Face
Yesterday I was slapped in the face. On the fifth anniversary of Kelly-Anne's horrific passing, I received news that tomorrow a hearing will be held at the Montreal Court of Appeal to hear a defense lawyer plead to three judges that Martin Morin - Cousineau should have the right to an appeal. What all this means is that he like all criminals who have been found guilty of a crime in Canada have the right to appeal their case. Our wonderful laws in our wonderful Canadian Justice System allow this to happen.
As I mentioned in an interview today, criminals continue to have more rights than victims. Cousineau has the right to plead that he got a sentence much to long and undeserved. Let me remind all of you that he will be eligible to apply for parole in 8.5 years. That means that he could be walking the streets as a free man....just like you and me! It that fair ? Kelly-Anne will not be returning to her family in 8.5 years.
Our laws allow criminals like Cousineau the opportunity to plead and ask for an appeal because life is just too hard and long in prison and their sentence was just too harsh... a life sentence should be a life sentence. Let's remember it was his peers that deemed him guilty and the facts of the murder did not justify a manslaughter case.
We Canadians need to write our MNA's , speak out to make change..... create petitions,do what ever possible to convince the government to change the old laws in this country. We need to be like the USA...life is life never to see the light of day.
It's time to make that statement. Please do your part. Again today another women's body is found in a wooded area. Was she murdered? If so, another murderer walks our streets and if he gets caught a defence lawyer will work hard like hell to get him the smallest sentence possible.
Is that fair?
As I mentioned in an interview today, criminals continue to have more rights than victims. Cousineau has the right to plead that he got a sentence much to long and undeserved. Let me remind all of you that he will be eligible to apply for parole in 8.5 years. That means that he could be walking the streets as a free man....just like you and me! It that fair ? Kelly-Anne will not be returning to her family in 8.5 years.
Our laws allow criminals like Cousineau the opportunity to plead and ask for an appeal because life is just too hard and long in prison and their sentence was just too harsh... a life sentence should be a life sentence. Let's remember it was his peers that deemed him guilty and the facts of the murder did not justify a manslaughter case.
We Canadians need to write our MNA's , speak out to make change..... create petitions,do what ever possible to convince the government to change the old laws in this country. We need to be like the USA...life is life never to see the light of day.
It's time to make that statement. Please do your part. Again today another women's body is found in a wooded area. Was she murdered? If so, another murderer walks our streets and if he gets caught a defence lawyer will work hard like hell to get him the smallest sentence possible.
Is that fair?
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