APRIL 12, 2007
Dear Larry & Bob
After Larry dropped me off at the Courts today, I took a quick look around the suite, and did not feel comfortable. It is not my home, as the beat up, messed up, cottage at the lake is, and in which I have worked in for the past 10 years. I felt that I had to get out into the world and look around.
I reflected back to our old home at 41 Athlone Drive, and thought, “Why not take a walk around it, and think of the wonderful years that I enjoyed there with Mom and you kids.
So, I dressed warmly, and began a slow walk to 41 Athlone Drive. I went by the little park that Mom used to take a short cut through, when she returned from some of her visits to downtown Winnipeg. She liked take the bus downtown and to spend a day in Eaton’s and the Bay, just looking around, and being by herself. Her mother Nanny Baillie used to do that once in a while, when Mom was a young teenager and lived at 478 Beresford Avenue in Fort Rouge. On those occasions, Naany Baillie always bring back candies for her children. She would place them in a little glass bowl on a small table in the living room, so everyone could enjoy them at their own leisure. Mom did the same. I think I still have her little glass bowl that she used to place on one of the end tables in the living room.
Well, then I walked Athlone Drive until I came to Bruce. Coming to that intersection, I thought of the thousands of times that I drove that route to get home, and the many times that Mom was at my side in the car, while we travelled the route.
Crossing Bruce, the first house that brought back memories, was the large two story home that Hugh & Ethel McGrath lived in. Then I thought of the people that had built that home. None other than my dear friend and colleague with Upjohn, but Gabe and Dot Van tornhout. Actually Gabe had built thee home (he had a builder build it for him), while they lived in East Kildonan.. It was Babe that alerted me that there was a vacant lot there on the coner, just north o f his home. Gabe and Dot only lived there for about a year, and they moved on right now, I don’t remember where) Oh Yes! He had joined warner Lamber, after quitting Upjohn when I quit, and now he was offered a job with Alcon, a company that only manufactured very speciali8zed eye drops, some of which I take today.
‘Then I thought of the McFaths and how they were such a nice family. I remember Ethel working in her little garden every day, and we would talk after I had parked my car behind our garage. I also thought about the wonderful way that they reacted, when Mom died. On the day of Mom’s funeral, after we had returned home to Athlone Drive, to what felt like a very empty, lonesome home, Ethel McGrath sent over a beautiful dinner for us. She had prepared area in her oven, and carefully wrapped it in aluminium foil to keep warm, and personally appeared at our back door with it. What a wonderful gesture. Both Hugh and Ethel quietly and unobtrusively kept in touch with the Guarino family.
Then, I came to the corner of the back lane and our home. The first thing I noticed was the absence of the fence, that Rick and I had built. Then I looked for the Chinese Elm tree that Mom had planted, and beside which we had buried “Bimbo”. It had been removed, and there now was a gravelled air to park a large trailer. I noticed that all the Chinese elm trees that Mom had planed (sic trees), had grown immensely. Mom liked the way Chinese elm grew, and that they were very hard and cook take severe weather and wind. They were also disease free in our environment. They were tougher than our own oak trees. Then, I though “if Mom could see them now?” But, I also though, “I am sure she can” and does see them, whoever she is”. (ha0
Next I looked for the Lilac trees that Mom had also planted. We had bought some “white’ starter bushes, that Mom planted long the side of the fence, and then we had (or at least I had “borrowed” a beautiful Lilac tree that originally grown at 488 Jessie Ave, next door to Nanny Guarino. It had belonged to the Craig’s, our neighbours there. While their old home was being demolished to make it a vacant land (low taxes) , I borrowed the tree and brought it back Mom, who immediately planted it just beside the side walk to Athlone Dr.
I walked a little further and looked at that immense Russian Elm’ that Mom had planted in our front yard, right on the corner. It is now gigantic, but also horrendous. The base of the tree must be at least 36 inches in diameter. I noticed that a huge branch had cracked, and bent downwards over the public sidewalk, from its own immense weight, but it is still living. I don’t think Mom would have liked having that grotesque tree in our front yard.
Then, I continued on past the neighbouring home on Athlone, where Mrs. Petrowski used to live. She and Mom became friendly, but at the same time gave each other space.
It was just starting to become dark, and I turned and mad my way back to the Courts. On my way down Athlone drive, I passed the house where Carol (Sandi’s friend0 lived, and thought about them as girlhood friends.
It wasn’t long before I was back in the Courts. I thoroughly enjoyed my walk, I will do it again many times, I am sure, and on each visit, I am certain that there will be different memories.
I though both of you would get a kick out of of what your old Dad does, when he is alone. I also thought of the main reason that I moved out to Belair, was to “break away” from the old memories, and start life afresh, and “find myself”.
I have, but now I also find that those memories still have a very important place in my life.
I guess a person does need “both”, and now I find it refreshing and healing, to think of the past and the wonderful memories that I have.
But the pain has greatly diminished.
Hope both of you get a “kick” out of my “wild ‘ dissertation.
All my love to both of you
Your Dad