Celebrating Life's Sweet Memories

09/30/2026

Today is Orange Shirt Day - a day inspired by Phyllis Webstad of BC. At only six years old she was taken to a residential school wearing a brand new orange shirt that her grandmother had scrimped to buy her. Upon her arrival, it was taken from her and she never saw it again. She was confused and felt very worthless - feelings that took time and effort to work through. Years later, her experience helped inspire a movement aimed at promoting awareness and healing from the impact these schools had on so many Indigenous children. There are many local activities planned - many of which can be found on the City of Calgary's website: https://www.calgary.ca/events/orange-shirt-day.html?redirect=/orangeshirtday . In addition, the Calgary Tower will be lit in orange in recognition of Orange Shirt Day. Don't forget to don your orange if you can, and remember that every child matters!

Photo Credit: CMCalgary 2025 -https://www.facebook.com/cmcalgary

09/11/2026

Remembering the victims of September 11, 2001 - a day that changed the world. Out of the tragedy we celebrate the thousands of acts of strength and courage that arose from the ashes, as we remember the thousands of lives taken that day...

Photo Source: Unknown

06/21/2026

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the dads of the world. It used to be a big day in our family that revolved mostly around being together and having some laughs. My dad loved to laugh and had a collection of jokes that he never tired of, and told over and over again. He always laughed, even if we thought they we total groaners. And you could always see it on his face...the next joke...just waiting to be set free. He had many talents and strengths, so he left behind many life lessons for us, but my favorite is still the way he could find the funny, even at times he maybe shouldn't have. This I do know however. He would far prefer to be remembered amidst laughter than he would amidst tears. My family still loves to laugh - one even became a comic. Laughter is good for the soul and I'm so thankful to have received this gift among the many my dad left behind...

06/13/2026

There is wisdom in these words...

There comes a season in life when the noise begins to fade.

The ambitions that once kept us awake at night become quieter. The competitions that once seemed important lose their power. The endless race for more slowly gives way to a deeper question:

What truly mattered?

As I sit and watch the years behind me, I realize that life was never as long as it seemed. Youth convinced me that tomorrow was guaranteed, that there would always be more time to chase dreams, mend relationships, forgive mistakes, and become the person I hoped to be.

But time moves like a river—silent, patient, and unstoppable.

One day you are making plans for the future. The next, you are surrounded by memories, wondering how quickly the seasons changed.

Age has taught me that the greatest wealth was never money. It was health that allowed me to walk, breathe, work, and embrace those I loved. It was the people who stood beside me during storms. It was the ordinary mornings I barely noticed while they were happening.

Many spend their lives preparing to live, only to discover that life was happening while they were preparing.

The truth is that every wrinkle carries a lesson, every scar carries a story, and every gray hair is a reminder that time is both a gift and a responsibility.

I no longer measure success by what I accumulated, but by what I became.

Did I love deeply?

Did I help someone carry their burden?

Did I leave kindness where I once stood?

Did I nurture my soul as carefully as I nurtured my ambitions?

For in the end, our possessions remain behind, but our character travels with us.

If I could speak to my younger self, I would not tell him to work less or dream less. I would tell him to notice more. To worry less about impressing others and spend more time appreciating the miracle of simply being alive.

Life is not found at the finish line.

It is found in the conversations, the laughter, the tears, the sunsets, the prayers, the struggles, and the quiet moments we often overlook.

And now, as I sit in the evening of my years, I understand something that youth rarely sees:

The purpose of life is not merely to grow old.

It is to grow wise.

To leave this world with a softer heart, a deeper faith, and a soul at peace with the journey it was given.

~ 𝓙𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓷𝓮𝔂 𝓸𝓯 𝓛𝓲𝓯𝓮

05/10/2026

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to the moms of the world! It is a number of years since I said goodbye to my sweet mom, but there is never a day that I don't think of her. To celebrate this special day, I remember some of the wonderful Mother's Day celebrations we had, as well as all the wonderful times and wonderful memories I have of her..

05/05/2026

I STILL REMEMBER THE SENSE OF PANIC I FELT WHEN WE LOST MOM, because I had no idea who would conduct her service. She had not been active in a church for some years, so there was no Minister expecting our call. I had no idea what we were going to do.

Fortunately, my niece was active in the United Church, and she offered to contact her Minister. I worried that since my mom was not a member of that church, nor known by my niece’s Minister, that he might refuse. It was such a relief when he agreed to help us, and in the end, mom’s service was filled with music, memories, and moments that mattered to her.

Less than two years later, mom’s husband passed away, and that sense of panic returned, only this time, the Minister who had so kindly helped us out with mom’s service, had retired. There was no longer anyone known to our family that we could approach to conduct a service for our step dad. I had no idea how we would pull off a service with no-one to officiate it for us. It was then, that I heard the word “Celebrant” for the first time. The Funeral Director provided us with a list of names, and we made it a priority to call someone asap!

We were fortunate to reach a Celebrant quite quickly, who agreed to do the service for us, and we set up a time to meet with her. What a relief this was! I was so surprised at how many questions she asked and how much interest she showed in our step dad’s life. But even more impressive was how so many of the details she collected made it into the service. She helped make the day special, personal, and memorable. I was blown away! With the help of the Celebrant, I think we created the perfect service and send off for our step dad…he would have loved it!

It was a number of years before I myself decided to explore what becoming a Celebrant might look like for me. I soon found an online course through Life Celebrants International TM, which was fabulous, and since completing it, I haven’t looked back. I’ve never forgotten the relief I felt when we secured a Celebrant for our step dad’s service, nor what a positive experience it was.

In a nutshell, I hope I can leave a sense of warmth, safety, and love with the families I have the honor of working with, and even a little bit of relief, if their experience is anything like mine was.

03/25/2026

My heart is with the families and friends of these two young men, whose lives held such promise...

It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther, two young pilots who tragically lost their lives when their Air Canada flight collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport on Sunday night.

Antoine Forest, just 30 years old and from Québec, and Mackenzie Gunther, a 2023 graduate of Seneca Polytechnic in Toronto, were at the start of promising careers when this devastating accident took their lives.

“These were two young men at the start of their career, so it’s an absolute tragedy that we’re sitting here with their loss,” said FAA Administrator Bran Bedford, encapsulating the profound sadness felt by all who knew them.

In this time of loss, our thoughts are with the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased. Their bravery and dedication will not be forgotten.

We also send our thoughts and support to the 41 individuals injured in the incident, and our gratitude to the first responders and medical teams who worked tirelessly to provide aid.

💔 Rest in peace, Antoine and Mackenzie. You will be remembered.

12/24/2025

The holidays can be difficult for those missing a loved one. Here are some great suggestions to help you navigate the season. Do only what you feel you can, but don’t hesitate to lean on those you love. Remember that those you are closest to will welcome you and your grief for any activity you choose to participate in. Mostly, just take care of yourself and don’t make demands of yourself. Wishing you peace and comfort this holiday season…

Grief and the Holiday Season

For most of us, the holidays are generally anticipated with excitement and joy. Griever’s however, approach the season with a mixture of dread, excitement and anxiety. Their memories of holidays past can bring forward painful emotions filled with longing and regret. Expectations of family and friends can further add to a griever’s fear of ruining the joys that others experience. This can lead to wanting to avoid situations and to isolation. For individuals who have recently lost someone close, the season is an especially difficult period to navigate.

A starting point to overcoming anxiety associated with attending holiday festivities is to have honest conversations with family and friends about what activities you are comfortable with and what activities you feel may be difficult for you. Discussing plans before the event is one way of letting family and friends know that they may need to be counted on for support. Grief takes energy and making sure you have adequate rest, silence and solitude helps create a space where unique needs can be acknowledged and addressed.

When attending events, remember that the emotions associated with grief can surface when least expected. Some grievers report feeling ambushed by grief, never knowing what word or situation will trigger an uncontrollable outburst of emotions. Having recourse to step away or even escape may be warranted: plan this with a trusted individual and hopefully this will eliminate any fear of losing control.

Begin by attending a shorter event, one which lasts only an hour or two. Learn how this makes you feel and assess you’re your ability to cope. Achieving a small goal such as meeting with family and friends reinforces the grievers understanding that they can participate in holiday season activities. Engaging in a creative activity of the griever’s choosing can lead to uplifting thoughts where small joys are experienced.

It is important to lower expectations and engage in activities that are manageable. Having a plan that addresses concerns in the days preceding the holidays will ease the task ahead.

Remember, the holidays season will soon be over. Some will find solace in knowing that ‘this too shall pass.’

Bertha Brannen
Bereavement Group Leader

© Affinity Funeral Service/CFHC Online

12/14/2025

A good reminder for all year long, but especially during the holiday season.

"Slow Down" 🎄

11/18/2025

Today is National Grief and Bereavement Day...this is definitely a topic that deserves more attention and education, since most of us will be affected at some time in our lives.

Today is National Grief and Bereavement Day. Grief is real, valid, and deeply personal, but no one should have to navigate it alone.

We call on Canadians to join the national dialogue to improve Grief Literacy in Canada and ensure everyone has access to the support and resources they need. Let's work together to .