The Serial: Far From the Rowan Tree Day 77 By Margaret Gillies Brown

This strange mixture of people had shared the same environment, similar troubles, happinesses, sorrows, to disperse tomorrow – never to meet again

Ilaughed. Sitting beside him on our cheap couch I put my arm round his waist and gave him a hug.

“Just the same, I’m proud of you Ron. No one can say you haven’t worked for that firm.”

Next day when Ronald came home at tea time I could see something was the matter even before he spoke. He had a stunned expression on his face. “I just don’t believe it,” he said. “After last night, after all that was said. I just don’t believe it!” I waited for an explanation. “Empire Real Estate is closing down at the end of next month, going out of business. No explanation, nothing.

“We were all told we would have to find other jobs. After what was said last night it seems incredible.” It was like a bolt from the blue. At first I was too stunned to say anything and then, “That’s Canada for you,” I said. “A volatile society – always moving on.”

In a way, for us, it was a good thing. It made it easier for Ronald to come to a definite decision.

He had made enough money during the summer for us all to fly home. Special news He had to go home anyway and he had no intention of leaving me and the children behind.

He could make definite arrangements now. We would go in September.

Next day Carmen paid me a visit. She had special news. I could see she was happy and excited.

Before I could get a word in she had blurted it all out: “I’m getting married to Clinton in October and then we’re going to America to live.” I was so happy for her I gave her a big hug. “How lovely,” I said. “I thought there was something in the wind.”

“But how about you folks?” she said looking anxious.

“We’re leaving,” I said. “Just knew yesterday for sure. Ronald has to go home to settle up his affairs and we’re going with him.

“Empire Real Estate is closing down but we may be back.”

“Somehow I don’t think you will,” said Carmen. “You’ve had a tough time here and from what you’ve told me you’ve a lot to go back to.

“Many immigrants do go back home and quite a few return. But the ones that come back have little to go home for. “That doesn’t seem to be the case with you. “Anyhow,” she continued, “I wish you the best of luck and thank you for making it possible for me to get on my feet again.”

And so this volatile society was moving on. Others in the street were going also – nothing or nobody stayed still for long.

This strange mixture of people had shared, for a while, the same environment, similar troubles, happinesses, sorrows, to disperse tomorrow – mostly never to meet again.

Leaving Edmonton took quite a bit of preparation. We had to sell most of our possessions.

Coming by sea we had been allowed to take a lot of goods with us.

Going back by plane it was limited to what we could put in a few suitcases. Prized possessions We advertised our goods and chattels in the local newspaper.

We were sad to part with the prized possessions we had brought from home – the set of encyclopaedias, the dinner service with its lovely blues and golds, the lamp that leapt into orange flames when it was switched on and other things.

There were wedding presents that had personal meaning for both of us.

Now, however, we had learned that besides each other, the only really precious possessions were the children.

We were going home with those that we had brought with us, plus two extra.

That was what really mattered. It could easily have been different. With all the difficulties we could easily have lost a child along the way.

We were sorry to leave all the friends we had made although quite a few of them were also moving.

As usual in these circumstances, there were great promises of writing and keeping in touch.

However, I knew how fragile these sort of friendships could be.

I never liked leaving people I had grown fond of but there it was – life was moving on.

Ronald reckoned we hadn’t had a proper holiday since coming to Canada so instead of flying straight home from Edmonton, we would go to Vancouver and visit his sister Eileen and then fly the family home from there.

Eileen was overjoyed when she heard about our proposal.

“Stay for as long as you like,” she wrote. “I’ll have the basement suite all ready for you. “It’s rather nice – all panelled and everything.” By the time we were ready to leave in September, the road from Edmonton over the Rockies to Vancouver was closed for the winter. Easy stages From early September there was always the possibility it would be impassable because of snow.

There was a new “snow road” in the making but it would be a year or two before it was open.

We would have to journey into America and over the Cascade Mountains.

Ronald decided to do it in easy stages and stay a night or two on the way at different places.

One September day of brilliant sunshine we said our goodbyes to those of our friends that were left and began our journey.

The car was packed full again with kids and luggage.

However, it was not nearly as packed as on the journey to Edmonton from Sandyhills two years previously.

The children were excited at this new adventure. Our first stop was Calgary – the city with a intriguing view of the Rocky Mountains.