Victoria

Victoria

The Great Trek is over; the Mazda has made it to the west coast of Vancouver Island.  I’m glad now that Jim was adamant about our buying it.  At the time I wanted to keep the Ford Escape, but once I began driving alone, I was happy to be in a new car.  It does have inner bigness.  When Bert and I unpacked it and put all the stuff either in their garage or the suite, I was surprised again by how much there was.

I think the theme of this blog will be thanks because that’s certainly what I felt this Thanksgiving.  I miss Jim’s company, conversation, help and much more.  On this trip I have been brought to tears many times by the memory of him and the stark fact that he is dead, but I have been helped so much by family, friends and even strangers that I have to express my thanks.  It was wonderful to have final dinners with friends and their children before I left.  I was able to settle in and say a real goodbye.  As I drove west I shared visits and meals that were both rests along the way and chances to keep in touch with people who have been close to us for all our married life.  Although Jim and I often had to be reminded of our anniversary, I remembered Oct. 9 this year; it would have been our 39^th. 

I had a non- traditional Thanksgiving dinner in a restaurant in Vancouver with Jo and her sister Barb, halibut and chips with a delicious sesame coleslaw.  For the first time, I was in Vancouver with people who live there.  Jo’s condo is on the waterfront, a short walk from the Berard Street Bridge, so I was able to take pictures its art deco arches.  The weather was perfect the first day and we wandered all over Granville Island and then went to Barb’s new house in West Van,; it’s right on the water with a beach and huge drift logs.  Monday we toured by car and foot through Stanley Park and the U.B.C. gardens.  I drove Jo to the airport on Tues. and continued on to the ferry after asking directions from a cab driver.  Again, a stranger gave me clear directions and the way was easy.  The crossing was warm and windy; I walked around and around the boat and went inside to write some emails.

Barb and Terry greeted me at their door in Vic. West. I went inside for a chat and then settled into the friendly comfort of their suite.  I unpacked for the first time since I had left Don and Mela’s on  Sept.29.  What a luxury it was to see what was in the suitcase and what a disappointment to discover I’d forgotten include my granny slippers and favorite sweater.  I’ve already had one good walk around the Inner Harbour with Barbara, and we plan to have one in a different direction tomorrow morning. 

Mom and Dad are carrying on bravely.They are proud people, and I think that at times it’s sheer will that keeps them upright.  They pull together dinners using most of the same kitchen gear they had when I was with them and still in high school, but the food is tasty, healthy and in small portions.  That and mom’s long held belief that you have to eat 5 different colours of fruit and veg. each day have helped to get them both to 90.  We’ve been driving, walking, visiting the library and out for lunch.  I’ve got lost both times trying to get back to Barb and Terry’s at night from mom and dad’s.  That’s one practical way in which I miss Jim.  He always said I was horribly twisted and it made me furious, but now I have to face the truth, I am.  Last night I was driving around for half an hour before I finally saw a relatively respectable looking man crossing the road I was on and asked for directions.  He straightened me out by sending me in the completely opposite  direction on Fort Street from the one in which I had been heading and I made it to be safely.

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