September 9, 2021
It’s been one year since Mariam’s passing. Life for me has been challenging without her and the Covid restrictions didn’t help any. I try to keep busy exploring Orillia, doing renovations and gardening.

I miss the little things … like our goodnight dialog and the funny little antics we laughed over. I miss our evenings and weekends together … we would have great dinners, chat about our day and often watch a movie. On the weekend we would entertain guests, do shopping and go for walks or a car trip. And I miss travelling with Mariam. She was always ready for a new adventure. Each time I use a mug or put on a t-shirt we bought on our travels, I think of her.
I’m so honoured and grateful to have had such a wonderful person in my life for all those years.
Living in Orillia
People ask me if I like living in Orillia. It’s a great little town with a nice waterfront park, trails and bike paths, all the big box stores, nice shops downtown and lots of good restaurants.
Mariam chose this house out of the many we viewed in Orillia and Barrie. She really liked the kitchen and the garden and enjoyed going to her jamat (church) in Barrie two or three times a week.
The arts scene is quite vibrant. There is the Opera House, lots of galleries and many street art exhibits. This year the street art theme is VW Microbuses. There are over 20 bus sculptures lining the main street.

There are so many places nearby to go exploring and boating. Lakes Couchiching and Simcoe are right in town and Georgian Bay, Lake Muskoka and the Kawarthas are 30 minutes away.

Sept 9/21
In loving memory of my special Sister.
A little of Malu, my sister will always live in me.
My younger sister is my HERO.
Side by side or miles apart we were/are sisters connected by the heart.
The time we spent together meant the world to me. Your laughter and precious smile still shine bright and clear.
I miss you dearest sister. And you know, I always will.
Love,
Gulshan Suleman
Douglas thank you for sharing. You still have her beautiful memories. Out prayers and thoughts for both of you.
Thanks for sharing Doug. So beautiful that you continue to honour Mariam with such a heartfelt tribute – I still cannot believe she’s no longer here. You seem to have settled in nicely in Orillia – we need to visit sometime.
Dear Mariam,
Today we miss you a full year. Although we know that you have been spared a lot of pain and sorrow, we would have loved to share joy and pleasure with you.
That we could talk about Max’s triumphs together, you would have enjoyed it. Know that deep in the hearts of Ineke, Ruud, Aydin and Dorien you find an unbelievably warm place, where we will take you silently and deeply in all our adventures… as if you were there… as it should have been.
Your love and kindness will remain with us forever.
Ruud, Ineke, Aydin, Dorien
My goodness, it’s already a year. She is not suffering any more and may Almighty Allah bless her soul with eternal peace. Ameen.
You have good memories of your together and please cherish those memories and keep her alive.
May Almighty Lord bless you with strength to deal with her absence.
Regards
Nasim and Zinatali
What a lovely tribute to Aunty Mariam. I can only imagine how hard it is for you without her but I so admire your optimism and your love for her.
I miss her very much especially texting her and talking with her and sharing the special
moments from the kids lives. Losing my Dad four months before her has been doubling difficult as there was a special connection between the three of us.
Orillia sounds like an amazing place and we hope we can visit you sometime in the future.
Be well and much love from us all. You are in our heart and thoughts.
Nazlin
Mariam was a special person. My wife Carol and I enjoyed going back and forth celebrating our birthdays with Doug and Mariam. Carol and Doug had birthdays two days apart in November, born the same year. Mariam and I had birthdays one week apart in July but born a few years apart…I confess I was a few years older than Mariam. We had such fun talking over dinners about our travels, our families, politics, food, etc. I lost my wife Carol almost 10 years ago now and I still miss the times we spent together. So Doug, I know your pain, It is a difficult transition for the survivor but it sounds like you have so many good memories…perhaps enough to last a lifetime. At the same time, celebrate your good fortune to have had Mariam in your life for the time that you did. She was awesome!
Doug thank you for hosting my sister Betty Anne and I as we visited you at your new home in Orillia this past summer. Mariam must have enjoyed those beautiful gardens and the art and culture Orillia has to offer. We miss your presence here at Eagle Lake but we are also happy to know that you are still in a good place living in Orillia.
Jim White
(Doug’s cousin)
I did not forget Mariam’s 1st anniversary. She was an amazing personality and I learn more and more about Mariam from Douglas and the website. Its absolutely a wonderful way to remember Malu and see her great personality and interests grow over the years. I will always remember her fondly.
I only knew Mariam for about 4-5 months but whatever interactions I had I was inspired by her courage, humility, love and faith in the all of us and especially you. She always talked about you and whenever I said your name incorrectly “Doug”, she would lovingly correct me with “Douglas”. I know she loved you dearly and I always hope and pray that her love becomes your guiding light. Amen.