mother, father, and brothers on the other side. Everyone told me it would happen one day but
that’s simply not something I wanted to hear, much less experience.
Once again I didn’t get things my way! That’s been the story of my life, all my life. And while on
that subject (the story of my life)… on June 18, 1955, my parents and two older brothers, Vern
and Gary, celebrated my birth and I was introduced to all as Diane Marge, the daughter of Jim
and Ethel Hillhouse from Kipling, SK.
As a child, I attended the old Windthorst Elementary School for two years and then moved to
Kipling school for the remainder of my public schooling. Teachers planted the seed that
eventually led me to attend business college in Winnipeg, MB.
So many things in my life seemed of little significance at the time they happened but then took
on a greater importance as I got older. The memories I’m taking with me now are so precious
and have more value than all the gold and silver in my jewelry box.
I proudly moved back to Regina. There I worked for SaskTel and later for the Saskatchewan
Wheat Pool. It was in Regina that I married the man of my dreams, Blaine Van Os, (short, fair,
and handsome) in August of 1978, and from that day on I was proud to be Mrs. Blaine Van Os,
Grand Diva Of All Things Domestic.
Our plan was to have two children, a girl and a boy. Inexplicably we were successful in doing
exactly that when we were blessed with our daughter Shelley and then later our son Bradley.
Seeing these two grow into who they were supposed to be brought a wonderful sense of
meaning to our lives.
This might be a good time to mend fences. I apologize for making sweet Shelley wear No Frills
jeans when she was little and for “red-shirting” Bradley in kindergarten. Apparently each of
these things was humiliating to them but both were able to rise above their shame and become
very successful adults.
Just when I thought I was too old to fall in love again, I became a grandmother, and my five
grand-angels stole not only my heart, but also ate a lot of cookies. Braden, Kaden, and Preston
(all from Shelley) have enriched my life more than words can say. Abby and Bobby (who came
from Bradley) have kept my mind racing with excitement and energy. They’re treasures that are
irreplaceable and will go with me wherever my journey takes me.
No buildings named after me; no monuments erected in my honor. But I DID have the chance
to see our family farm become a century farm. All the hard work of my ancestors and those who
will take it over in the future will know and love the satisfaction that comes at the end of a hard
days work. How much more blessed can a person be?
So in the end, remember… do your best, follow your heart, and make something amazing out of
your life. Oh, and never stop smiling.
If you want to, you can look for me in the evening sunset or with the earliest spring daffodils or
amongst the flitting and fluttering butterflies. You know I’ll be there in one form or another.
Always take time for the ones you love, because in the end, the memories that are created are
what you will leave behind. The clothes you wear, the hairstyle you have, and the jewelry you
wear won’t really matter.
Of course, that will probably comfort some while antagonizing others, but you know me… it’s
what I do. Each time you watch a game, you will hear my cheering for the Riders and debates
with the curling skips.
I’ll leave you with this…please don’t cry because I’m gone; instead be happy that I was here.
Today I am happy and I am dancing.
Love you forever.
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