How bébé Léo got his name...

Our baby has finally entered our lives.  After having struggled almost three full days to come out, he didn't fail to impress us, by deciding to be born on World Environment Day, and with his right arm against his cheek much like Superman! We can only dream he will bring much good to this world.

Even though we kept it a surprise 'til the end, deep down inside we knew all along he was going to be a little man.  Léo, a strong name, for a strong being... His full name is a salute to many of his ancestors and elders who have shaped Alex and my life and who will surely watch over him when he needs it.

Today the story behind his first name...

Muscle man! Farmer with the sun, lumberjack with the snow

Alex and I both had Leo's in our lives. For me my grand-pa Léo was close to a deity.  Father of 9 beautiful kids (who then multiplied to create a loving family of over one hundred close relatives) he was a homesteader, a lumberjack, a storyteller by excellence and a 'patenteux hors-pair'.

Always ready to try a new invention

My grandma and grandpa Leo with Sebas, Val and I in 1980

My grand-pa was the hero and role-model of nearly everyone that knew him.  As a little child I spent important parts of my summers over on their farm in Lac Frontière, Québec, and the memories have had a great influence on how I view the world.  I remember making blueberry necklaces in the tall grasses, swinging in the maple tree swingset my grand-pa made, cutting rhubarb, hiding on the second floor of the barn, eating fresh warm toasts right off the wood stove, and listening to my grand-pa tell stories of the bible.  My grand-pa was an angel on Earth.  All he wanted was to do good on Earth and go heaven to meet Jesus :)  I would say I am more of a believer in the planetary forces, but to each his own, and I really hope he did meet him.

Still chopping his own fire wood at 92 years

I was lucky enough to have the pleasure of sharing a short 32 years with this man, who experienced many different realities in his lifetime.  Starting his life in 1916 he saw the world in a much more natural state then we now know it, without electricity, running water, telephones, cars, televisions, airplanes, let alone all the gadgets we have today.  He also saw what we were doing to the world, and although he didn't understand it all, he knew we needed to be more gentle and he certainly couldn't understand how the average person couldn't grow their own potatoes... everyone should have garden fresh potatoes! :)

Still picking the sacred blueberries at 94 years old

I was lucky to have him in my life for so long, lucky and inspired, to see that my grand-parents had survived and enjoyed the simple life, and their family life and community life was rich and healthy because of it.  I was inspired, and since, I have been dreaming of following in their footsteps.  32 years of getting to know him, and every year I had more questions for him, knowing that time was flying by.  My grand-pa past away March 12, 2011, at the age of 95.  I got to spend some time by his side in his final days.  I should say that most of my family flocked to his bedside. He was far from alone in this process.  On one of Alex and I's visits I made him a promise (more like a request), that I would name my first born boy after him.  Luckily he was ok with it :)

So it was meant to happen, now Léo is with us, and I know that grand-papa vieux vieux looks over him, where ever he is.

In dedication to my grand-father Léo Laverdière (1916-2011)