This is Us
Our Family
That’s me, Ernie aka “Dad.” I’m the one in the middle with the big as life grin. My wife, my life partner and Mother to our two children, Kristine, is to the left of me along with our beautiful daughter Cheyenne and our amazing son Quinton celebrating the Holidays in 2008. Welcome to the story of our journey of loss, forgiveness, enlightenment, and love. Welcome to Quinton’s Legacy.
Our Beginning
Their story together started February 1, 1992. Ernie was President of his family-owned Janitorial Company PCSA, he earned this title in 1991 after moving to Arizona in 1986, beginning as a supervisor. Ernie had been pursuing his college education on a football scholarship. After a football injury changed the trajectory of his future, Ernie relocated and took his place within his family-owned business. He went on to finish his college education with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Admfrom ASU. Kristine worked for Honeywell, Commercial Division in the Accounts Payable department. Kristine and Ernies' father had established a work relationship with Honeywell being PCSA's largest cleaning contract, Senior was granted securtiy clearance to be able to meet Kristine onsite on a monthly basis to receive check reimbursements for services rendered by PCSA. In December of 1991, after Kristine mentioned to Ernest Sr. in phone conversation that Honeywell announced they were going to be doing a layoff. Unsure if her position would be affected, she was going to be looking for work. Ernest stated they were looking to fill an Office Manager position, and if she was interested in meeting with his son to interview for it. The interview took place mid December of 1991, at the local Applebees and Kristine was offered the position and accepted.
The two had a professional working relationship, Kristine was engaged to her high school sweetheart and had been in a committed relationship for 4 years prior with her future planned out. Ernie was coming out of a relationship, realizing that what he was wanting for his future was not going to be possible within the relationship he was in. Fast forward to February 1, 1992, which is the day after Kristine randomly announced her plans for the weekend to Ernie as they usually shared with one another. Not thinking Ernie would accept, she said you're welcome to join us, we will be going to Lake Pleasant for a family/friends gathering. Ernie accepted the invitation to join the fun and the two enjoyed a day, that turned into a night, that turned into forever. And the two have been inseparable since then.
her Story
Born July 23, 1972 Kristine Carole Cano, raised in Southern California for seventeen years of her life, the youngest of three children. Brought up in a loving close knit family by her parents Edgar and Nellie Cano natives of California. Kristines family decided to move their family the summer of 1989 to Arizona, which at that point was just the two of them and her being the last one home, about to start her senior year of high school. While trying to see things through her parent's frame of mind, this was very challenging for her. She was leaving a lot behind, but made the best of it, as that is who she is. Kristine went on to graduate from Barry Goldwater HS in 1990 and had already been working since she was 16, so continuing on that path seemed logical. When her neighbor recommended, she interview with her boss for an open position at Honeywell, Kristine jumped at the opportunity. While she had wanted to pursue a Nursing Education, she didn't see it possible at the time. Kristine was looking to save money to forge forward into the path she thought was mapped out for her. You know the saying "You have your plan" and "God has his." Well let's just say a whirlwind of events took place and life continued to happen.
A new beginning, February 1, 1992, which is when a fork in the road got placed and Kristine chose to pursue the path her heart was drawn too, Ernie was now apart of that future. Things progressed rapidly and while the two were with each other day in and out, working alongside one another, it just didn't seem enough. Ernie asked Kristine to marry him, and she excitedly accepted. After just a short time of being together, they were now planning a wedding, which was to take place in the next 8 weeks. April 18th, 1992, the two exchanged vows in a ceremony among family and friends. It was a day to remember with a reception put together by both sides of the family at Ernie and now Kristine's home.
The birth of their first child Cheyanne Eve born May 27th, 1993, was another one of those life changing moments, as the year leading up to her birth was quite challenging. The magnitude of love and hope that she brought to the young couple who were still learning about each other, was everything they needed, and the perfect future was in play.
Fall of 1998, Ernie successfully retired his parents who now resided in Nevada and sold the family-owned business. Ernie being the successful asset was part of that sale and his new position placed the family in Colorado, which is where Ernie always desired to raise his family. Cheyanne was now 5 and in kindergarten attending elementary school in the community that Ernie grew up in, in Conifer, Colorado. Kristine was now a stay-at-home mother/wife after leaving Arizona. The couple had endured two miscarriages along this time and were considering infertility, but Kristines OB doctor suggested another procedure. March of 1999 was and always will be memorable. Kristine had not been feeling well having flu like symptoms and Ernie took her to be seen by her primary care physician, confirming yes you do have all the flu symptoms, but also you could be pregnant. This had not even entered their minds, as they were pretty sure that another child after two miscarriages was probably not going to be apart of their story. Surprise, surprise, December 15, 1999 brought the most perfect little blessing from above, Quinton Stone, born perfectly healthy after a long awaited time. Our family of 4 was now complete and all was perfect in our world.
Raising a family and living this life Kristine was living, seemed unreal at times. While not perfect, and the years placing her to where she was at that point in time, in her mindset was ideal. A young wife at the tender age of 19, a mother to Cheyanne at the age of 20, and then Quinton at 26, Kristine was still learning and growing, discovering her journey in this life. It wasn't until 2009 after suffering and surviving the most traumatic life changing event, that all the years prior had now revealed to her, who she was, who she is and who she was becoming. While her entire life had been lived taking care of others and making sure others needs and wants were met, it was now time for her to understand her worth, as no dollar amount could be placed upon it. It was the gift her son presented to her in a dream visit, after the transition of his short lived 9.5-year life here on earth.
His Story
Ernie’s parents are from the south, his dad (Ernest) from Alabama and his mom (Frances) from Virginia. In coming from the south and from that era of the 1930’s and 1940’s, colored his parents experience and by association, his as well. Theirs is a family of five, with Ernie being the oldest of three siblings, the other two being Tina and Regina.
So many grow up with trials and tribulations, and Ernie is no different. As he shared in Quinton’s Legacy, he felt insulated, as placed within a bubble during the worst of it which protected him in a manner of speaking. Ernie was born a peacekeeper, a fix it kind of a guy which is ironic given the occasional turmoil he witnessed growing up. As he grew into his teens, this manifests itself with him constantly tidying up the property in the Front Range of Colorado and doing what he could to insulate his two sisters from at least some of the turmoil.
As he grew, he knew he needed to expose himself to different experiences. Earning an athletic scholarship to the University of Wyoming opened a new world. Eventually he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University, but this truly isn’t what defines him. There has always been part of Ernie that is a coach and mentor to others; for much of his life he didn’t even understand or acknowledge this part of himself.
Meeting and marrying Kristine took Ernie to a whole new level of growth and expansion. Kristine is an old soul, the most kind and loving being who doggedly stood with him as he began the process of unpacking his luggage. With the birth of their first child, Cheyanne, Ernie experienced unconditional love, seemingly for the first time. Their family was complete with the birth of their second child, Quinton Stone Jackson.
Their journey continued as shared in both Quinton’s Messages and Quinton’s Legacy. When Quinton transitioned and immediately began to visit from the other side, Ernie’s view of our existence expanded explosively. With this higher perspective that we are eternal and an acknowledgement of his gifts, Ernie understands he is here to serve. In becoming a certified life coach through the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, he is finally able to own it.