Dear Allen,
The times I spent at Mount Blow, and influence of our family who lived there, had a huge part in who I am today. I always envied my country family who got to grow up and live at the Farm. Our summers and visits there were the best times of our childhood for both me and Timmy. What could be better than being outside all day with lots of cousins to play with?
So many great memories:
§ Riding bikes and tobogganing down the lane way
§ Skating on the pond
§ Baseball in the yard
§ Swimming
§ Swinging
§ Putting on performances (with Janice always ‘in charge’)
§ Hearing the magic words “Aunt Norma is coming for a visit.”
§ Riding on the tractor
§ Driving the tractor
§ Family pictures under the big tree in the yard
§ Grandpa on the couch looking out the window or napping
§ Playing hide and seek everywhere
§ Riding on the Clydesdale horses –like doing the splits they were so wide!
§ Sleigh rides and hay wagon rides with Uncle Jim
§ Church camp…..not so much….
§ Picking berries
§ Grandpa challenging us to see how long we could keep a hard candy in our mouth (very wise way to keep us from talking….)
§ Grandma teaching us to play cards (‘Up The River’ anyone?’)
§ Aunt Norma talking about all our ancestors
§ Dead birds in glass box in living room…..
§ Pickled snakes in living room…..
§ Eating raw vegetables straight from Grandma’s garden
§ Grandma doing puzzles or knitting or writing letters
§ Bee bite on bottom of my foot in barn yard –Julie spit in her hand + mixed mud to take the sting away
§ Doing chores when we were young enough to think it was fun
§ Playing cards with Grandma to avoid chores once I clued in they weren’t so much fun
§ Driving Aunt Dodie’s burgundy car to get the cows in
§ Grandma sitting on the side veranda and always happy to see you
§ Holding you as a baby Allen –already practiced on Geoffrey + Nancy so you were safe
§ Uncle Jim napping with the paper on his face
§ Trying to avoid John when he chased me around the barn with dead mice !!!!!
§ Going to Thom’s to get eggs and play
§ Sitting in the Paul pew at church
§ Having a cow named after me
§ Tapping for maple syrup –eating too much sap = well you know!
§ Grandma reading and watching the fire at the Sugar Bush
§ Walking to the Back Farm –especially @ Thanksgiving with leaves changing
§ Nancy + Mike’s wedding pictures in front of the lilac bushes
§ Jessica + Katelyn looking like little angels, but not acting the part
§ Going to Jordies and exploring through all the stuff stored there for years
§ Uncle Jim hollering from the work shed or barn
§ Playing tag trying to avoid the cow pies
§ Aunt Eleanor’s home made buns, bread and baking
§ Aunt Betty’s home made French fries
§ Grandpa’s storytelling and whittled vignettes of pioneer rural life
§ Grandma serving Cream of Wheat porridge + maple syrup for dinner on Sunday night
§ Jumping in the straw (I got a black eye from one of those jumps, about 15 minutes after Grandpa told us NOT to jump in the straw….)
At the Farm age didn’t seem to make a difference when we were all together. Your Dad was 15 when I was born and often played and fooled around with us kids which we loved. Like you, he remained a kid at heart throughout his adult years.
Your Mum + Dad’s wedding was my first and so very exciting. I remember one time when the milk quota was surpassed he made home made ice cream in the yard –delicious! You and Geoffrey and David all remind me of him so much.
When I think of you as a kid Allen, I vividly remember lots of freckles, a wicked temper and always a sparkle of mischief in your eye that said ‘What great adventure am I going to have next?’ Your temper turned into a spectacular sense of humour and the sparkle is still there, and needless to say, the life you have lived is a result of your adventurous spirit. You’ve lived more life in 53 years than most people do in a lifetime!
Allen, you always were yourself. You didn’t pretend to be something you weren’t. You accepted people for who they were. I admire your strength of character in conquering past challenges and how you have coped with your health prognosis.
You are an extraordinary person; kind; thoughtful; caring; generous with your time and heart and a remarkable father and husband. No one could ask for a better friend, son, sibling, uncle, cousin.
Knowing you has enriched and impacted the lives of so many people. You inspire me, and others, to live every moment like you have with an open mind, heart and zest for life.
Gods’ gifts come wrapped in people. You have been a gift Allen.
I feel truly grateful and blessed you are my cousin.
Go in Peace,
with Love,
Faye