That Godsome Voice

From Margaret Rice

When I got married in1950, my husband asked me if I would consider coming to Canada. He wanted to ever since he was left an orphan at the age of 12. I, on the other hand had a very close loving family, the thought of leaving them I could not contemplate. Being the patient kind man Frank was he understood, my parents had almost adopted him as a son, he became my sister’s big brother.  Frank also has a very good job with a lot of future ahead for him. [We thought].  We adopted two children had a lovely home and all was going so well for us.

In 1965 the company that Frank was working for was being taken over by another company, his job, Company Secretary, was on the chopping block there was no need for two people to hold that position, the other company had a Company Secretary who had a lot more superiority, and years in his background.

What to do was our dilemma. We began to talk about moving to Canada again. In some ways I would be leaving a lot more behind me than Frank was. He left the final decision to me. We packed the children up and went to spend a week by the sea.  Hastings Sussex to be exact. The weather was lovely we played in the water and built sandcastles. We also did a little exploring, so many old historical places to visit. For those who are historians you will recall Norman the Conqueror  landed in Hastings in 1066. We went to one of the first churches to be built on a Bay close by.  I asked Frank and the children to go for a walk or find somewhere to play. I wanted to go into that church alone. It was tiny and smelt of old wood, salty from the sea, it was dark inside as the windows were not big. I knelt and prayed for guidance.  A lovely deep mellow voice answered me, “Go to Canada”. From then on my mind was  firmly made up, that voice and those words kept me focused.

My life in England was easy, I had people I loved all around me for support if I needed it. Life in Canada has not been so easy for me, but because of that voice I have not regretted the move. My children have done well and have lovely families. Maybe I should have said ‘Yes’ in 1950... if I had I would not have had the family I have now, and the support I get from them. I really believe it was God’s will.

Unforgettably Godsome!

From Cathy Russell

Recently, I was priviliged to attend the birthday celebration of one of our most senior members.  Carl's 90th Rocking Birthday was one party I will never forget. Along with the standard birthday accessories, there was a karaoke singer crooning Elvis and Sinatra tunes in black tie, a granddaughter in a 1970s Elvis outfit complete with sequence jumpsuit and black wig, Carl's wife in a feather boa. 

Carl is a veteran of the Canadian army's gruelling Italian campaign during WWII.  I know Carl must have seen some things and done some things at that time that none of us, including him would ever choose.  The amazing thing about Carl's eyes is- that no matter what ugliness they may have witnessed, they are the warmest, the sweetest and most expressive pair of beautiful browns I have ever seen.  I can read so much in Carl's eyes, a warm greeting, serious attention, laughter, affection, even mischief! 

At one point during Carl's birthday party, the karaoke man began a rendition of that beautiful standard "Unforgettable" made famous by Nat King Cole.   Without giving it a lot of thought, I stood up and said to Carl- "Shall we dance?"  Those wonderful brown eyes lit up as I took his hands in mine.  And so we danced through the song, me standing, and Carl in his chair, gazing into each other's eyes, sharing something more than a song and a dance, something difficult to put into words, something deeply human and deeply holy.  I sensed that we were connected at a deep level, and not just at the end of our finger tips. 

The song ended, the moment passed, and after a brief visit with Carl's wife Audrey I took my leave.  On the way home, I passed Bridge Street United Church, just as the bridal party of an afternoon wedding came out onto the front steps.  As the bride and groom kissed each other, and their friends cheered and applauded, I reflected on the fact that Carl and Audrey have been married 64 years.  May those newly weds be so richly blessed, and may they always see love in each other's eyes.