#35 May/Jun 2014 Sweet Celebrations!

I grew up and lived in various communities in Alberta. Ralph grew up in Saskatchewan and moved to Alberta as an adult. Since 1999 we have lived in Surrey surrounded by mountains and ocean. That environment has become our normal.

In the last few weeks we have re-absorbed the different feel of the prairies. The sky goes on forever.

But the countryside is not always flat.

Abandoned long ago, many homes and farm buildings dot the farmland. They are intriguing as we speculate about when they were built, who lived there and why they left.

This was the start of our family and friends visiting schedule. In Alberta and Saskatchewan we have many people that we stay in touch with but seldom see. Our trips east always focused on immediate family because our vacation time was limited. Now we have the time to see many more people.

In Camrose we had a short visit with Ralph’s cousin, Ken and his wife Noreen. Ken just had major back surgery and we very glad to see him moving slowly but steadily.

I was born in Edmonton but moved to Wainwright at age 7 so Wainwright has the most memories.

Fabyan campsite on the Battle River was a major part of our summers. We picnicked, climbed the hill and tried to skip rocks on the river. Dave and Kari have similar memories as we picnicked and camped there with my parents. As we drove by there was one site that would accommodate our RV and I was ecstatic. Hot dogs and marshmallows over the campfire and new memories were made. That was our first night “boondocking” – no services or hookups. We can do it!

The Fabyan hill has always been private property and now there is a fence with barbed wire to keep the public out. Apparently the park has been the site of parties that got out of control. Too bad, but that night was quiet and the stars were incredible.

In the early 1900’s buffalo were brought into the area to reestablish the herds decimated by hunters and settlers. They were later relocated and that area is now Camp Wainwright which is a major army training centre for troops from many countries.

Wainwright is a bustling community with a revived main street and many box stores, creating a feeling of prosperity. These businesses draw the army families into town and many retire there.

The clock on main street is a tribute to the fallen soldiers in the wars.

We visited Jim who gave me away at our wedding. He is 94 and still very alert and content with life.

Our next stop was North Battleford, SK where the prairie changes again.

We celebrated Ralph’s brother Paul’s 60th birthday and surprised his wife, Margo, with a joint party. It was a beautiful day for a picnic and lots of visiting. Family came from Calgary, Toronto and Surrey (us).

The next day in Saskatoon we celebrated Ralph’s nephew, Ryan’s, doctorate. A well-earned achievement.

In Saskatoon we also visited Stevey and Thelma. Stevey was one of the ministers who married us 42 years ago. After 64 years of marriage they still enjoy each other and are good friends. We can pray for the same future. At our wedding Stevey gave us handcuffs as he was determined that our marriage last.

We then celebrated Paul’s retirement. We were all ready to take a short retirement from cake!

On our way to Edmonton we stopped in Vegreville to enjoy the world’s largest Easter egg. There is a great Ukrainian village, as well, but that will have to wait for another visit.

In Edmonton we visited with 3 of my cousins and their wives. Jim and Lorna, Mike and Gayle, Jon and Sharon were great to see and we caught up with everyone’s lives.

We visited Beatrice who is the widow of the other minister who married us. That event took 2 ministers and handcuffs and certainly worked for us.

We took one day to rest and sort through all our conversations and visits. We exchanged so much information with so many people our heads needed a break.