November 11 is the day we Canadians honour the brave men and women of our Armed Forces.
I would like to introduce you to my personal favourite soldier, Paul Franklin.
Paul and Audra Franklin have been near and dear to my heart for more than a decade. Their relationship predates Lizzie AND Javier. Introducing Javier to them was akin to taking them home to meet mom and dad. They approved!
Meeting Audra was one of those serendipitous moments that changes your life forever. I was a lost little soul living on my own for the first time in Vancouver. I was licking my wounds after a spectacularly painful breakup and in desperate need of a kindred spirit. Audra, and her husband Paul, were a newly engaged couple with a knack for gathering together all sorts of lost soul,s which have become extended family throughout the years.
On the day we met, Audra and I immediately bonded over PMS and a bottle of Advil. We were cashiers at a popular Canadian clothing store and only worked that one shift together. Later that weekend, she introduced me to her fiance Paul, and the three of us, plus a couple of other folks, became immediately inseparable.
Paul and Audra were there the day Lizzie was born and are her godparents. We've enjoyed such a special relationship throughout the years. I was almost as excited when their son was born one year later, as I was about my own daughter.


In January, 2006, Audra called with the news that Paul had been injured when the armored jeep he was driving was hit by a bomber in a taxi. We learned he was alive but had lost one of his legs. I jumped in the car and headed to Edmonton to be with her and wait for more news.


I am so proud of my favourite soldier.
7 comments:
what a beautiful tribute to your amazing friends - three cheers from here all the way to there.
This post is so moving. Many thanks to him and his bravery, what an inspiring man.
A wonderful tribute to a great guy.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Tears came to my eyes reading this post. I am so sorry to learn of Paul's loss. I am encouraged by how he is dealing with it. Such courage.
What a brave man...I would be proud to know him.
What an inspiration! His life has to be quite a challange compared to how it used to be, but I'm sure he is so grateful to be alive!
Looking at the picture of him walking with his son reminded me of my daughters friend. He was born with only one leg and wears shorts all the time, showing his titanium prosthetic. He lives a very normal life and doesn't let anything slow him down. I'll bet your friend will be the same way soon enough!
Post a Comment