Over and over again in my mind - I hear my Mom’s voice - “make good memories!”

When my Mom lived with Harv and I for the last three months of her life, she spent most of her time in bed. She was 100 and a half. She would say while her body was frail and failing her - her mouth could still work very well. And - while her short term memory was pretty pooched - she could remember events from 95 years ago. She repeated the same seven or eight stories over and over again. When she wasn’t telling us those stories, she would rest - not sleeping but eyes closed - and I knew she was thinking of days gone by. Sometimes her frustration would leak out and she would lament that she was only a fragment of her former self. This same woman who bore 9 children - raised them on my dad’s salary - cooked and baked for eleven plus every meal - washed the clothes in a wringer washer - and then hung them on the clothes line every day of the year - this same woman who had been a super woman - now struggled to push her walker so she could walk to the washroom.

But - while Mom had failed physically, she hadn’t failed emotionally or mentally and continued to encourage her family until the very end. Remember - her tongue worked very well.

One morning as I was lying beside her in her bed, we talked of ageing gracefully - what it felt to be nearing the end of one’s life - grandparenting and leaving a legacy for your family.

Ten years before Mom came to live with us - we had our first three grandchildren - Sara in Feb. - Levi and Talia - both born in June - 2011. Over the course of those first few months, Randy and I came up with the plan to begin JOLLIFFE CAMP. We would keep the cousins for a night or two (to bless us) and give the parents much needed time away (blessing them). And so it began - July 2012 was our very first camp - three toddlers.

Randy and I began Jolliffe camp with these three. We spent three days and two nights with these three. Three high chairs. Three Pack-n-plays! Three of a lot of things. Plenty of time outside. Plenty of time at the park. Yummy snacks and meals. Naps. And bedtime? Each little one had their favourite story and favourite song. I went between the three of them - reading and snuggling and singing until 6 little eyes were heavy and closed. I remember they were good sleepers and didn’t wake us up in the night.

Most of our marriage - Randy and I managed to squeeze in a night or two a year away from the children - to focus on each other and allow others to love on our kids. It was what we wanted for our own sons and their spouses as well. Parents need time away from their kids to recharge - benefitting both themselves and their children. Spouses need to rebuild connection with each other that sometimes is more difficult when the challenges of raising the kids are prevalent. Conversely - kids need some time away from their parents as well - to learn to be flexible and more adaptable - to learn to trust others - to give themselves different responsibilities and most important - that they see that Dad and Mom need time alone.

2013 - we had the same three - only now they were two year olds. Much different than the first summer of camp - two year olds can talk - listen to (some) instructions - use the potty - eat and sleep on some sort of schedule - laugh - play games - interact with each other. These cousins loved playing together. The following quote came up on my facebook page today - “Day One of Camp Jolliffe is in the books - three little munchins all sleeping - so tired from all that playing...going to finish the dishes - do a load of laundry - then watch the Blue Jays with Grampie.”

In 2014, we were scheduled for the third instalment of Jolliffe Camp with five grandchildren planning to arrive in July - but that all changed when Randy collapsed and passed away. Instead, later that same month, we were blessed by someone from our church to use their cottage for a week in Muskoka - so we could all be together. That began the new chapter for our family regarding summer cousin camp. Jolliffe camp was not something I could do by myself. Grandparenting solo was not easy and not fun. We would continue our dream - only now - the parents should join me. Their weekends away by themselves would take place during the year - one family at a time.

2018 - the last two of the ten joined our family and we celebrated Jolliffe camp in the Dominican Republic - celebrating my 60th birthday.

We all remember what happened in 2020! Even in 2021 it was hard to get everyone together in the same space!

Jolliffe camp - 2023 - Canada’s Wonderland

Someday - when my own faith in Jesus is sight - when I’ve crossed the River to the Celestial City - I hope my kids and grandkids speak of the years we celebrated life together - when we laughed and cried - when we stayed up too late around the campfire - when we built sand castles - when we swam in the big Lake Huron waves - when we crammed around two tables eating good food - when we competed in the Jolliffe games - when we hugged on each arrival and hugged on the departures - when we slept on couches or on the floor or in a bed - I hope and pray - they’ll say - “Jolliffe camp - where cousins became friends - was the best part of our summer!”

It was a good tradition to begin. May there be many, many more!