In our house Anthony is the video editor. He puts in an incredible amount of work to make Aidan’s videos look and sound good. Thank you for staying up way too late Anthony, Aidan and I really appreciate it.

Six years ago I remember getting a game for Anthony and some chocolate for the both of us to make the most of our last free weekend. When my water broke that evening I knew that perhaps my plans for a quiet Easter weekend were not going to happen. That 24th March evening was a little uncomfortable, and while he had decided to come early, Aidan wasn’t really in a total hurry.

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Aidan coming home from the hospital 6 years ago.

Aidan you are still like that, you do things in your own time. You are an incredibly curious boy, and I love the questions that you come up with. Your father and I are always challenged to find ways to answer your questions so that you understand, because you ask such complex questions. I love your use of language and vocabulary. You constantly amaze me with the things you say.

The Week Before Aidan Turned 5

Aidan I love that you have found your niche in theatre this year. Your acting skills have improved so much over the last year and your comedic timing is beautiful. You make your Dad and I laugh out loud. I think you are made for entertainment and I hope you continue to enjoy acting.

Aidan, I love that you are so willing to try new things and work to improve your skills. This year you have conquered your fear of putting your head in the water and you are well on your way to becoming a fish. You also wanted to try skiing and had a great time learning. I can’t wait to try again with you soon. You also are getting much better at skating. I love that you are so willing to learn to fall and you are getting much better. By this time next year you will be skating circles around me.

Aidan now.

This year you have gone from reading only books with pictures to reading small novels and now Harry Potter and some really cool books on whatever you want to learn. This has fueled you imagination and I love to watch you play wizards, or whatever comes to your mind.

Aidan, I love that you have so many inventions and plans for the future. The Aidan Company will be a great success. I love hearing about everything you think that the Aidan Company will do in the future. I love that you want to take care of your parents when you grow up.

Aidan I love how much you care about other people. You are mostly very sweet to your brother and there are times when you are the best brother in the whole world. I love that you think about things that make other people uncomfortable and want to figure out how to fix things for them. I love that are not afraid to ask about death and how babies are made even though I find it hard to know what to tell you.

Aidan, I am so glad that you are mine, or should I say, Aidan I am so glad that I am yours. I love you baby boy, Happy Birthday! I can not believe you are 6!

Katherine Mary (Forwood) Floyd

Katherine Mary Floyd nee Forwood, 60 of Halifax passed away the 22^nd July 2010 at Victoria General Hospital. Born in Halifax in 1949, Kathy was the daughter of Muriel (Zinn) and the late Gerald Forwood.

During her early career Kathy worked for Canadian Customs before she had her son and became a full time stay at home mother. Kathy was very involved in many volunteer roles in both her children’s schools and in the greater community including work as a playground supervisor at both George Bissett and Col.John Stuart Elementary schools. During the early 90’s Kathy helped set up and run a Meals on Wheels program in Cole Harbour. She later became involved in many aspects of the Dartmouth Skating Club including volunteer work for Skate Dartmouth and Skate Canada. Her many roles included hospitality, registration and she could be counted upon to do whatever was needed. Most recently Kathy worked at the Diocesan Bookroom.

Kathy is survived by her loving husband John, son Anthony, daughter Paula, grandchildren Aidan and Quinlan (Floyd,) brother Paul Forwood and cousins Maureen, Patricia and Frank (Zinn.)

Visitation will be held Sunday 25^th July 2010 at 2 pm to 4 pm and 6pm to 8pm at Cruikshank’s Funeral Home, 2032 Robie Street, Halifax. The Funeral Service will be held on Monday 26^th July 2010 at 11 am, St. Patrick’s, 2267 Brunswick St, Halifax with Father LaPorte officiating. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Lower Sackville.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Ovarian Cancer research at www.ovariancanada.org or a charity of your choice in Kathy’s name.

The family would like to send special thanks to a number of people involved in Kathy’s cancer treatment; the nurses and staff of the ward 11 chemo unit particularly: Ramona, Vivian, Smiley and her doctors Dr. Paula Rittenberg, Dr. Katharina Keiser, and her nurses Kathy Mac, Laverne, Thelma and Jodie. The kind support and sensitive care over the last 5 years has been appreciated more than you know.

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This was one of the hardest things I have ever had to write. Kathy was a fine mother-in-law, a great mother, loving wife and a doting grandmother.  She could be sarcastic and stubborn but she loved to laugh and have a good time.  I am pretty sure that is why Anthony had such a strict curfew for the longest time.  Even though she was a little worried about her little boy being so serious so early she made me feel welcome in the family . . . eventually.  I know she took distinct pleasure in telling others that “Gwen was such a quiet and polite girl before she became involved in our family.”  Kathy took full credit for making me the sarcastic person you know today, and she wasn’t too far off.

I know that Kathy was very happy when Anthony and I became engaged, but it was nothing like when we told her she was going to be a grandmother.  I know she must have been absolutely thrilled and it was momentous because it was the reason she quit smoking. There was almost nothing she wouldn’t do for her grandsons.

We love her and we will miss her very much.

The first time Aidan balked and wouldn’t get within a foot of Santa.  This time he was excited and not shy, and he climbed right onto Santa’s lap.  We managed to get Quinlan on the lap as well and here is the photographic evidence.