On February 19, 2009, 80 years and 3 months to the day, we lost a wonderful father and our mother lost a wonderful husband. I gave my dad a subscription to the Downhomer (as it was called at the time...and he always called it that!) many years ago for his birthday. He looked forward every month to the magazine and read it faithfully until he became too ill to do so. I went and visited him in January of 2009 and spent two weeks in the hospital in Gander with him and while we were alone I read stories from the Downhome to him! Our father had emphysema, and was very sick but always had a smile for us and everyone else! The subscription will continue to go to his home, in my mom's name now. He would want that! Dad never left the island of Newfoundland his entire life, even though I asked him many times to visit me in Ontario. "What for?" he would ask, "never left, never will!" So we always returned to Gander Bay to see him and Mom and the rest of the family! We will be returning in July for our annual visit, one that will be missing a very important person in our lives. Here is a poem I have written for Dad: Missing You Just because I smile and laugh, it doesn't mean I don't miss you Just because I enjoy the warmth of the sun on my face and think "what a beautiful day" doesen't mean I don't miss you Just because I enjoy a walk, play with the grandchildren, and get lost in the moment...doesn't mean I don't miss you Just because I watch the full moon in wonder and joy doesn't mean I don't miss you Just because I go on about the daily routines of my life...doesn't mean I don't miss you! You are too well loved to be ever forgotten and I will always miss you, now and forever. Thank you for allowing me to put some of my thoughts into words in honour of our dad...Ernest Raymond Vivian of Gander Bay South! Thank you for years of enjoyment for myself and my dad! Judy Rae (Vivian)   Submitted By: Judy Rae