We Just Called To Say…

There are many ways for our loved ones to be remembered, but, having an entire town rename itself after you, well, that’s more than a little special.

And that’s just what happened over in Deer Lake in Newfoundland, those cuddly Canadians transforming their town each year into Islaview.

Which, when you say it right, is pretty much ‘I love you‘.

It’s a trick of the tongue that would no doubt delight the little girl that inspired such a day, Isla Short having lost her battle with cancer in 2017 at just 3 years old.

Rather than wallow in the misery such a passing can bring, Isla’s parents, Sarah and Mike, have been on a mission ever since, to give back to the community that had done so much for them in their hour of need. And so, just for one day, Deer Lake becomes Islaview, which means 24 hours of parties, gatherings, games, group hugs, concerts, free breakfasts for the whole town, and lots and lots of cupcakes.

Because cupcakes were Isla’s favourite treat.

It’s a beautiful day that has now made it all the way over to Greystones, with Blacklion’s Gaelscoil transforming into Islaview today. Local lass Louise Campbell became friends with Sarah and Mike years ago when working in Deer Lake, and witnessed Isla’s battle. And how a town rallied around this little girl and her family.

Today, a bunch of Greystones kids felt that same rush of reaching out and helping others in their time of need, as one community threw its arms around another over 2,000 miles away.

And if that doesn’t get you right in the feels, heck, you really need to give yourself a hug. And a dog. And a soul.

You can find out more about the Islaview Foundation right about here.