Birthday at the Sooke Legion

On my birthday, we drove out to Sooke to surprise Roger's dad. It is also his birthday and the Legion had a HUGE birthday celebration for him. At the Legion, Gilles is a a volunteer, he runs the kitchen on the weekends (Gilles Grille) and is the local fix-it/electrician/ticket collector/jack of all trades. It was very touching to see him honored in this way. There were probably 75 people that passed through the course of the night, wishing him a Happy Day and talking to him. It is a bit surreal to me though, as I did not grow up in a military town, and to see all the uniforms about is still taking some getting used to. Victoria is not just the Capital of BC, but is also a huge military base, with uniforms a plenty everywhere that you go.

It meant even more to Roger to see his dad. In the Spring of last year, we found out that he had Cancer, and after a series of radiation and treatment, was proclaimed to be "Cancer-free" in the summer. There are not two more lying words in the English language we have since found out. The cancer is back, and this time it is terminal, with an unknown amount of time for Gilles to enjoy his family. Roger did not grow up in a close knit family unit, with his mom booking out of town when he was ten, leaving his sister and himself with his dad. His dad was an electrician with the Navy and spent a lot of time at sea. So Roger spent his teenage years with Navy housekeepers, but mostly just running amok and being alone. He is learning, every day, how to be a father, a partner, a companion, and mostly learning how not "to do it alone". His father is much the same way. He sees the importance of family, but does not SEE his family a lot. Now that he has three grandchildren, Hayley, Quinn and Mackenzie, he is making a point of seeing us more. Who knew that grandchildren would be the soft spot in this tough Frenchman's heart?

Anyhow, that is how I spent my birthday, and also how I spent my first night out since the surgery. It is tough enough to go out when you have Celiac (potluck = nothing for me to eat), but now throw in a sore mouth and a black eye and you have the recipe for an interesting night.

Does Baileys on ice count as a meal? How about when you add milk on top? Kind of like boost, only better tasting.........