Graduation and goodbye… Day 1008 20AUG11

Renee was gone when we woke up this morning, she left before sunrise to help set up the benefit yard sale that was organized for Yan today.

We got up, ate some breakfast, and headed off to our last hockey class. We all graduated to the next level and got to play a pretty intense game for the better portion of our class time. We were pretty knackered by the time we were finished but it was a blast. We can now move up to the skills class which we have been told is really tough. Should be interesting. We have all come a long way since we started a few months back and feel pretty at home on the ice.

As soon as we were done we got cleaned up and headed over to help out with the yard sale. Tons of people pitched in their time and donated items for sale with all of the proceeds going to help Yan and his mom get established in Boston next week. It was very hot out but the rain held off and they had a really good turn out and it looks like they raised quite a bit of money. As we were cleaning up we had to say goodbye to Yan so he could head home. They are leaving for Boston on Tuesday and it may be some time before we get to see him again. It was sad but at the same time we are glad that he is going and can get the best treatment available. We finished cleaning up and then all of us headed for home. After showers and some food we all pretty much collapsed and didn't do much for the rest of the evening, the weather agreed and it turned dark and stormy making us even happier to lay around and rest.

It was a day filled with hard work and the great reward of knowing that we helped someone else. We wish the best for Yan and Yansen on their trip and in their new adventure in Boston.