Category: family
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Mama – Therese Deranger (1919–2016)
Mama, whose full name was Therese Deranger (née Adams), was born on May 8, 1919, in Old Fort, Alberta. She married young—at the age of 14—and became the matriarch of a large family of sixteen children. She raised us with discipline and strength. She could be as strict as a drill sergeant. Once, my brother…
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Life’s Value: Lessons from Loss and Love
We search to find meaning in someone’s life. We search for answers to their existence. At times, especially during moments of loss and grief, we look for meanings in their life to ease our pain. That is the human condition. We search because we think if we can attach value to their life, then their…
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Sister Rose Desjarlais
Sister Rose – Resilient Spirit (1954–) This is a picture of her. It includes our late brother Roger and her late son James. Rose Marina was born in 1954. She is more than my sister. She is my confidante and my companion. We share stories, joys, and the hardships that shaped us. Rose is a…
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Happiness is yours to grab
What Brings Me Happiness I come from a small northern helmet, Fort Chippewa, Alberta. It is the little things that bring me happiness. I am a proud Denesuline (Dene) Happiness to me is when I feel the warmth of these little moments. They fill me with joy. It sparks a sensation akin to tiny butterflies…
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LIFE’S MOMENTS
Mid-February Musings Lately, I’ve been reflecting more deeply on life’s fleeting nature. I grapple with the idea of a purposeful life—what does it truly mean? I believe we must be intentional in how we live, yet purpose manifests differently for each of us. This contemplation led me to reevaluate what is truly important in my…
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Creating Life
I am posing a blog I wrote ten years ago with edits. Another year slips seductively into oblivion. You can’t stop the passage of time. It is like trying to grasp water with your hands. It simply slips through your fingers. Each day folds seamlessly into another day, and before you realize it, you find yourself…
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Transforming Bad Luck into Good Lessons
I am blessed. Today I started another year around the sun. looking back on what I wrote about my siblings, I feel sadness and grief. I had ten brothers and five sisters. Over the years I have experienced the loss of five brothers and one sister. Many nieces and nephews. a nephew, Sean John just…
From the Shores of the Ottawa River 