I spent a lot of time trying to solve problems and minimise worries on my own. At this point I did suffer a feeling of isolation.

Margaret Gillies Brown

Grant’s letter continued: “I went on that day to feel the coldest I’ve ever felt in all my life. I’m totally unprepared for this first day of real winter. I think Canadians must be superhuman to handle this cold. “I must be made for a warmer climate. Gary tells me I don’t wear enough. I need more clothes.”

Two months later, he wrote: “Not long after the cold set in for real Jerry took me to do some work on a roof.

“The wind was blowing and it was about 30° below. I could hardly get up the ladder because of the pain of that cold.

“When I got up to the top, Jerry was looking around at the view, apparently not noticing the cold while I cowered behind a chimney.

“He turned round, took one look at me and told me to get off that roof quick.

“Seemingly my nose had turned white, which is what happens before frostbite sets in. He told me later the fact that I was not wearing a hood had a lot to do with it.

“Since then the Nufies and I have been down to Edmonton several times. Driving there can be a problem.

“The first time was the worst – on the motorway, going towards Edmonton, on sheet ice.

“I had ignored Jerry’s warming about bald tyres at this time of year. Getting into Edmonton isn’t much of a problem.

“You just head for the skyscrapers, which you see for miles. Getting out is more difficult.

Trouble

“I was so sure you had to just head north and would not listen to my companion, who said west first then north.

“I did a lot of wandering about avenues and streets, crossed and recrossed the Saskatchewan River.

“Every time on the way we would meet a moose on the road and I would have to slam on my brakes as I looked in awe at them. They are strange-looking creatures, alien to my eyes.

“I’ll maybe give up the car. Cars can get you into trouble. It nearly did with me the other night. Or perhaps it’s just Nufies that get you into trouble.

“They’re nice lads – good and entertaining, but boy can they ever drink!

“There’s no way I can keep up with them. It’s the custom to stand huge rounds of pints – four and that’s my lot but they seem to be able to drink endlessly and they tend to get a bit obstreperous when they get really drunk.

“One evening I was at a party with Gary and a few others that I knew.

“Gary was trying to be friendly with one of the Nufies but he must have said something that displeased him. I never noticed.

“This particular Nufie had a huge build. He looked like how I imagined a giant would look.

“When we got up to leave he followed us out with his brother, also a giant. He grabbed Gary by the collar and with a big grin on his face, one huge fist after the other pummelled into him.

“Other Nufies swarmed around trying to ease Gary’s plight but were kept at bay by his brother – couldn’t get anywhere for the flying punches.

“I went in trying to negotiate and received a heavy blow on the stomach which doubled me up.

“We finally broke away and got into the car. Gary’s face was bloodied and bruised. He was determined that I would drive him to the police station.

“I was none too happy about this as I had more drink than I should have had. Nevertheless, I drove him there.

“The mounty who had picked me up and had asked me all these questions when I first came to Swan Hills was on duty.

“He asked us both questions. There was lots of cursing and blasphemic descriptions from Gary as to what had happened.

The mounty took photographs of his face. When we got up to go he asked who was driving.

“I told him I was. He thought a bit and then to my relief said: ‘Drive straight home’. Don’t worry Mum, I’m selling my car. Grant.”

Delight

As it was with all of the children when they returned, what a delight it was to see Grant again after what seemed like an age away.

What a welcome he got, all the family rallied round. There were parties and there were visits to the pub in the village.

There was another cause for celebration too – Mahri-Louise was getting married. She had met a handsome young Black Watch soldier.

Shortly, he was to be posted to Germany for three years and they had decided that they wanted to get married before he went.

Ronald was delighted at the match but grumbled a bit.

“Richard’s wedding last year,” he said. “How can we afford another one so soon and money-wise last year was not a good year on the farm.”

Because of his ill health I spent a lot of time trying to solve problems and minimise worries on my own. At this point I did suffer a feeling of isolation.

I felt there was no one I could talk to, no one with whom I could discuss my family problems.

The young ones were either away from home or were still too young and with enough problems of their own just coming to terms with the responsibilities of life.

The few older relatives still alive were too old to have them worry about things.

I had no close younger relatives of my own, no brother and my one and only sister had died several years before.

Loyal

I had friends but perhaps, like my father before me, I had always had difficulty expressing my feelings to others.

Besides, I was intensely loyal, I would have felt it was a breach of trust had I discussed the family’s, or my sick husband’s, or my own problems with another.

Release came, however, one day after an especially worrying time. It was a wonderful Spring day with all the birds singing.

I had escaped for a short time and was rambling round the greening fields when in a flash, from nowhere it seemed, words came into my head, ‘Thy will be done.’

Suddenly everything tumbled into place. I had been thinking I could solve all the family’s problems and bring Ronald back to health.

If only I could do the right things, find the right doctors. Now I realised there was only so much I could do, however hard I tried.

Life, in the end, was in the hands of other forces. I must slacken the reins and live a day at a time, just as I had done in those early days on the lonely prairies of Canada.

Tomorrow was unforeseeable.

More tomorrow.