Bittersweet.
It was before the pandemic that I had set even a foot in my old home province of Quebec. I had grown up there, spent most of my childhood there. I lived in the West Island of Montreal from the ages of 4 to 11 while also spending many summer and spring breaks there after that.
My dad still lives there, and so does my grandfather. We're getting older so, when I get phone calls.. I often worry the outcome or reasoning. TW: death, family, loss
My uncle passed suddenly in his sleep this past fall. This is something I fear for most people that I love as we age, not always gracefully.
I took the last of my funds and drove that 13 hours to see my dad. Our family isn't very big, and I knew he would appreciate the comfort in this time. It's unfortunate that life is so constant, and the economy is so bruised that it took a death in the family for me to pack up and visit my dad. No planning. No saving. Just driving.
Anyway, we're doing okay. I wasn't very close to my uncle but it's still a weird feeling. You still grieve.
Here are some images from my solo adventure. It includes stopping at Grand Sault (Grand Falls) in New Brunswick, visiting Mt. Royal's cemeteries and one of my best friends who rests there as well as a stop in Quebec City on my way home. I had never been there before.
I spent a lot of time taking photos of textures to use as image overlays- considering releasing them on my buymeacoffee/patreon for folks to purchase. They're gritty as most of them came from the different stones I came across in the cities and cemeteries. Alternatively, there are a few images I'm considering putting out as backgrounds.
