Blain’s name was supposed to be Alexander, named after his father and grandfather.  I wanted him to have his own identity, so he is Blain Alexander.  I have referred to him as Jr since he was in his teens as he revealed himself as a true image of his father.  Although he holds his very strong Indigenous facial features, the rest of him is identical to his father.  

As a young boy, he was obsessed with cars, trucks and building so many projects from everyday items.  He built a fully functioning toy car out of coke cans, wallets from duct tape and modified his remote speed boat with an enhanced propeller.  I think he gets this from his dad because when his battery operated four wheeler wasn’t fast enough, they swapped out the battery for one from a skidoo.  Needless to say, it was faster than his buddy Ryan’s Jeep.

As he made his way through high school, he spent a lot of time in the school’s auto shop.  I recall his teacher calling me shortly into the first semester.  Of course, as a mother, you always prepare for the worst news.  I met him in the shop and he showed me the project for the semester.  Take apart a car engine, name all the parts and then put it back together.  Blain had finished it in a few weeks and instead of slacking off for the rest of the semester, he was elbow deep helping his classmates make their way through the project.  I was so proud but not surprised about his mechanical prowess as I had seenthis through the years but of his leadership.  He has demonstrated his teaching skills in many ways while growing up but when I took him to see an Elder at 14 years of age, she told Blain that he came from a line of chiefs and to use his leadership wisely.

As he completed his victory lap in grade 12, he surprised me with his choice of what was next on his list of where he wanted to go for post-secondary schooling — the Culinary Management course at Algonquin.  After his first year into the program, he was not sure this was where he wanted to be.  I encouraged him to do the second year and then make a decision.  Shortly after his graduation, I watched the movie entitled “Julie and Julia”.  The movie highlights the life of Julia Child and her love of cooking that she developed while attending the Cordon Bleu in Paris.  After a very quick decision, I texted Blain to see if he wanted to go to Paris to further his education.  Keep in mind that it could sometimes take him days to respond to messages, he replied, “YES” in a matter of minutes.

In his career, he has been celebrated for his talents with commendations from foodies in the media world.  One of my favourite moments was when he called me to ask if I was sitting down.  Every mother’s breathless moments!  It was good news.  He was offered the Executive Chef at one of Ottawa’s finest dining establishments,  e18hteen in the Byward Market.  He was then the youngest to hold that position!

When Covid crippled the restaurant world, Blain did what many did.  He went on CERB thinking this was all going to be a short-term situation.  After a few months off from work and living the life of watching Netflix, biking and playing basketball, he got bored.  He then joined his brother-in-law’s company and is now working as a sub-contractor for Amazon.  This has been a huge change for him but has given a two-fold bonus for us as a family.  He is no longer working nights and every weekend.  I have never spent so much time with him and he, Charbel and Brooke are so close, spending lots of time together.  It warms my heart.  This change has also allowed him to experience so much more in life with more time on his hands.  He spends his time golfing, going to hockey games with friends, jumping out of planes and family dinners.

Covid has done much harm to so many and I consider myself blessed that we have all continued to work and grow closer as a family in such a strange and challenging time.  We did get away on a road trip last spring that had us laughing so much that I can’t believe how much fun we have together.

I find pride in Blain as he has achieved so much in his life and lives his life with an incredible sense of purpose and integrity all while having foot on the gas at all times!