A Mother’s Love

A mothers love is fierce. It knows no bounds. This has never been more evident than on Hunter Hill last week. 

Cole T Hunter, was a Blessed young man. Not only was he blessed by one of the best mothers the world has to offer, but this young man had many “moms”..... I say Blessed, but really, Cole was just one of those people that had as much if not more to offer the world than really, anyone I know. 

When we have children, we have a vision for them of how we would like to see their life lived. We want them to be happy, healthy, productive and loved. We want them to live a life full of adventures, to learn, to give back, to be honest and true to their words. We want our children to live a long, full life. We want learning curves, we want problem solving, we want adventures for them. With a mothers love, guidance, patience and gentle correcting, all of this and more is achieved. Sadly, the only thing a mother can’t decide upon for her child, is the length of their life. 

The saying, It takes a village to raise a child, was never more evident last week. Cole’s mother had a vision for Cole’s life, and he was on track and beyond anything she could of ever seen for him. He was the epitome of “ all boy”, he was curious, adventurous, brave, busy..... above all..... he was loved. With Cole’s mother at the centre, his Aunties who loved like a mother, his 4H mothers, his rugby mothers, his best buds mothers, his work mothers all came together...... imagine if you can, what all this mother love can accomplish. All this love, produced a young man who filled his life with enough adventures, accomplishments, success, and love to fill a machine shed with photographs, awards, memories, and laughter and tears. 

Friends gathered with pictures, with items that had meaning maybe to only them, they gathered and laughed, and cried, Cole stories could be heard in every corner. Each picture held special meaning, each item lovingly placed had a special part in Coles life. Everything placed, every memory, every picture, usually had laughter, there was usually a Cole story that followed.

While the stories of Cole, and adventures of Hunter Hill were in abundance, I also heard countless times these two phrases, “ Why, I just don’t understand” and “ for such a young man, he lived such a full life”.

While it’s not for us to ask why or wonder about Gods plan, we all do. It’s no secret the mess we are in in Carleton County, the drugs, the thieving, all of it. I’m guilty of questioning it myself. And then I stop myself, who am I to judge or decide who deserves to live or die. I guess, I can only console myself with this thought.... God is building himself a mighty army, and he only wants the very best on his team..... clearly, this, like high school means.... I will more than likely be one of the last chosen for his team, because I do question, especially when young lives like Cole’s are taken. His life was full... to the very brim. It was quite clear. Theresa told me that he would randomly talk about what he wanted his funeral to be like. Like any mother, she would shut this conversation down. No one wants to discuss their child’s funeral, it’s a rule.... an unwritten rule, but one none the less.... parents should not bury their children. But bits and pieces filtered into Theresa’s head and heart.... Cole wanted his funeral to be all about him..... well, like any good mother..... that is exactly what she did.... with the help of all his surrogate mothers, they created a funeral like no other, for a young man like no other. He left behind a full, loved life, friends who carry their memories on their sleeves, brothers who will feel the loss of the third brother in the Three Brothers Farm for years and parents who have lost a part of their heart. 

Cole T Hunter will not be forgotten.