Victor Hugo once wrote: “Have courage for the great sorrows in life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace.” When I think of courage, I think of my Aunt Ilene Henderson who we lost this week and already miss terribly.

In a year seemingly filled with too many good-byes, we are now saying good-bye to one more dear soul who quietly lived a life filled with courage when faced with living alone after our Uncle Bill passed away several years ago. Rather than despair, Aunt Ilene chose the brave path of living her life with the courage it takes to put one foot in front of the other, to live a life of gratitude, and even adventure! Aunt Ilene quickly became one of our parent’s favourite travel companions on their many outings. Whether it was a simple drive up town to their favourite coffee shop, or to the idyllic Cedar Cove overlooking Lake Huron, or even on longer adventures to favourite haunts like Manitoulin Island (I took the photo above on our last adventure together there several Thanksgiving’s ago), the dynamic trio enjoyed each other’s company and the open road. I always loved it when Dad would say, “pick up the phone and call Ilene. Let’s go for a drive” And Aunt Ilene would simply say “ok, let’s go.”  And “thank you.” Our response was always “that’s what families do.”

We will miss you Aunt Ilene! May your courage, kindness and zest for life will live on in those of us left behind. As you and Dad would so often say “See you in the funny papers.”