Trip to Canada, 1955

Aunt Jessie had left my mom all her personal effects, and a bit of money, as well.

In those long-lost days, one took ship across the Atlantic. Mom had to go, and I was too young to leave with Dad, so I went, too. The 5-day crossing was a wonderland for me. The ship was the Homeric, a top-of-the-line Cunard liner. Even though we travelled "tourist class," it was luxury to me! I had never seen an indoor playground, or a "kiddie pool." Dressing up in my best clothes for dinner every night was wondrous (I loved that pink dress). And the crew made sure we were constantly entertained. There were dances, movies, concerts, and a Fancy Dress Ball. I liked dressing up in costumes, even then. We met and talked with interesting people from places that were names on a map to me--Russia, Kenya, Greece. It was fun!

When we got to Cornwall, Ontario, where Mom's family lived, I was plunged into a nostalgic trip through her life. She had not been back since moving to England 18 years earlier, and was welcomed with open arms by family and friends. She made sure that I got a good look at life as she had known it. She had usually spent her summers in Cornwall, living during the school year in Ottawa with her Aunt Ethel.

Have I mentioned that my grandmother died when Mom was nine?

We stayed in Cornwall for five months. I even went to school there--the last two months of kindergarten, and a month of Grade 1. We stayed with Aunt Grace, who had lived with Aunt Jessie since the latter was widowed. The house was a lovely Victorian, with red stained glass in the front door, and lots of gingerbread. I explored it endlessly, from attic to basement, though it took some coaxing before I would go down there the first time! We would walk down the street to Church on Sundays, talking to others who were doing the same thing. Churches didn't have parking lots in those days, they had graveyards! We visited all Mom's friends, and Aunt Jessie's friends. We attended a bridal shower (another new experience for me).

Except for the fact that I missed my dad, I could have stayed there forever! I probably wouldn't have liked the bitter winter they get in Ontario, though. By October we were on our way home.

Little did I know it, but life was about to change forever.