October 31, 2021
My Last Trip with Dad
In honour ~
1925 - 2021
Lovingly remembered by Teresa Lingstrom
and Jon, Marley and Steve Rice
"THE TRIP!
After getting off the ferry from Cedar, our first stop was Victory Memorial Gardens in White Rock BC. Here lay Lesley Lingstrom, mother of Teresa and David Lingstrom, Lesley's parents Paul and Beatrice Gottschau and Beatrice's mother Jean Crowe. I buried some of his ashes in this family plot. A long, beautiful drive finds us at our second stop in Vernon BC. Dad's granddaughter Elizabeth Lingstrom, and I buried some of Dad's ashes beside his mother Astrid Teresa Charlotte Ling and his brother Danny Lingstrom. Backtracking a little, we then were at our third and final stop, Peachland BC. A dear family friend, Charleen Hendricks and I sprinkled some of Dad's ashes in Okanagan Lake, close to the farm where he was born in a cabin in 1925. An extremely emotional undertaking for the love of my Dad. Now I think I've done all I can for my beautiful Dad to truly lay him to rest, but I strive to keep his spirit alive in the minds of my kids and grandchildren. He is eternally with the family he loved that died before him. The feeling I had doing this for my Dad will last my lifetime until we meet again.
"DAD'S BLOOMS" update!
I am truly humbled, proud and excited how my "DAD'S BLOOMS" project is getting bigger and travelling farther every year since Dad's passing on Halloween 2021.
This is year three and his flowers are now grown on five continents! They are thriving all across North America from Yukon to Florida and Cedar to Newfoundland. Australia, Asia, Europe and Africa are also growing "DADS BLOOMS". This campaign started in Cedar with family and friends, and through an ad in the Nanaimo News Bulletin, 63 readers emailed me and wanted seeds to help spread the love in the form of beautiful flowering plants. The first year the seeds were mixed with a pinch of Dad's ashes. I think because of that, a little of my Dad's spirit will grow in each and every subsequent plant for many more years to come. What a lovely legacy for a wonderful man. I couldn't be happier that this project is so successful, as Dad meant everything to me and I know he would be happy knowing he is being remembered around the world with flowers.
"DADS BLOOMS" seeds are available anytime! Email me, Teresa Lingstrom at Jagger98@telus.net, and I would be happy to deliver a seed card to you! I'll also mail if necessary. Picture and instructions included, Also available at the Cedar Farmer's Market on Sundays 8:30-2 pm.
A special thank you to two of my nieces, Elizabeth Lingstrom and Hayley Holroyd, who together collected 1,200 seeds from 6 plants! Great job girls! I couldn't have done this without you.
HAPPY HEAVENLY FATHERS DAY DAD
I loved you like no other, and I know you felt the same about me. A special relationship. If you are fortunate to have a father tell him you love him and show him how special he is to you.
Love Teresa Lingstrom and Jon,
Marley & Steve Rice