...welcome to Philip's Fan Club!

AUNT ELAINE and UNCLE ALEX

When we left Newfoundland in October of 2006, we moved in with Diane's sister Elaine and her husband Alex. Our intention was to stay for a few months...we're still here!

Elaine passed away in August of 2007. She left us with many wonderful memories...she touched us all deeply...she is greatly missed! And by few more than Philip.

They couldn't wait for us to get to Kitimat. We arrived at the airport on Halloween night...to this!! Philip, who was reluctant to leave Newfoundland, knew Kitimat was going to be just fine!

Philip's 'Auntie' (Elaine was simply 'auntie' to all her nieces and nephews) loved him to pieces. Regardless of the miles that separated them over the years, she was always 'in his corner'...cheering him on...encouraging him...spoiling him...but most importantly...showing him the greatest respect. He was her "handsome man", and you'd have her to deal with if you thought otherwise!

Auntie loved to surprise Philip...loved showering him with goodies! It brought such pure delight to her face as each item was magically drawn from the gift bag. She would never return from a trip to the mall or the corner store (which was every day), without picking up something for 'her baby' (no , not me...Philip!).

Uncle Alex likewise made Philip feel special. Their home was large enough to comfortably accommodate all of us...but for some reason it seemed to revolve around Philip. Mom and dad were there too, you know! But it was quite obvious...we were just the 'stuffing'...Philip was clearly the 'turkey! In all the time we lived there, not a night went by that we didn't hear Auntie or Uncle stop at Philip's room on their way to bed to tell him they loved him. And you know...he loved them too!

Uncle Alex was proud to take Philip around town...gave him the 'royal' tour of the Kitimat Fire Station...where Alex is a captain. Philip, dressed in full gear, was 'fireman for a day'...and ready for anything!

When he wasn't putting out fires, Philip was cruising the countryside. He loved riding with Uncle Alex on his Harley...hmmm...I remember doing that with my uncle too!

Philip's job while we lived with Auntie and Uncle Alex was to take care of Shana, their dog. They became inseparable...he watched over her...walked her...fed her...and shared his drinks with her. He continues to visit her each week at Uncle Alex's new place. "Where are you going, Philip?"..."Up the street to check on Shana!"...and off he goes. Ten minutes later he's back..."Oh, she was happy to see me - she's okay!". He's good for another week!

Auntie loved to fish, as did Diane. But when they'd go down to the river, guess where Philip was? Right there beside his Auntie...talking her ears off...scaring the fish off...drinking his Pepsi! Mom was nowhere in sight...could have drowned...could have been dragged into the woods by a bear. Didn't matter...'cause at that particular moment...only Auntie was on his radar!

Elaine had gotten cancer and beaten it a few years before we arrived. Consequently she became involved with the local chapter of the Cancer Society and participated in the annual 'relay for life' walk-a-thon up at the high school. Philip joined one year (her last) and was as proud as punch to walk around the track with his Auntie...she was equally as proud to have him at her side!

Of course, Philip enjoyed the 'resting' part of the relay much more!

Elaine passed away in her sleep...in her bed...she was only 55. We were still living with her and Alex at the time...and how difficult that was! Before it got too hectic that morning, we had to tell Philip...this was not going to be easy. I took him out onto the deck...sat him down...and explained to him as clearly as possible what had just happened. He sat there, expressionless...taking in the sadness and the grief around him...and simply said, "She died?...wow...that's sad!" It slowly sank in after that as the police and ambulance arrived...the firetruck pulled in...the coroner showed up...and family and friends began to fill the house. He was interviewed 'alone' by the police (oh to have been a fly on the wall). We knew it had all registered when, shortly after lunch, he went to the fridge...saw Auntie's unopened bottle of Coke...turned to his mom...and asked, "Can I have Auntie's pop?...she won't be needing it!" We laughed...we cried...and at that moment, we all wished we could have been in 'Philip's place' during this difficult time. He lives in a wonderful world!

At the funeral they showed a remarkable 15 minute pictorial of Elaine's life up on the big screen. And for the first time that we can recall...at the age of 28...Philip broke down and cried. The music...the pictures...the memories...the reality that Auntie was gone...reached deep into his heart and soul and brought out feelings and emotions he had never before experienced. His Auntie had that effect on people...in life...and in death!

Today, after a year and a half 'up the street', we are once again living in 'Elaine's house'. Uncle Alex is now 'up the street'...and it's just the 3 of us (or so we think!). The laughter...the tears...the wonderful memories...and the odd 'feeling'...of a dear sister...and an amazing 'Auntie'...remain.

Philip is very comfortable here...he feels at home...and so do we!