LATTER LIFE OF WILLIAM JAMES HUNT
WE ARE NOW STARTING THE NEW YEAR 2001
I hope I will have a better start than I did when I came back from my trip to bring in the New Millennium in 2000. Throughout the last few years I have said, how our "Lord God" as been looking after me, when I moved down to Keremeos how I lost a few things and when I thought I would never see those things again, and to me it is a miracle how it comes into my head to do a thing I never was thinking about, and to my surprise I find what I had missed month's before. Now I know some would say, "Ho! That as happened to me." Yes! It may have when you will be doing something one day, this is not the same, I am not looking for anything and it will suddenly comes into my head.
I am going to tell you of these two big Miracles that definitely came from our Good Lord God, first one, when I missed my E.M.F. gauge that is my story in 1998. This big one in the year 2000, when I lost my wishbone. This is when God really once more came to me after six months later when I had given up all hope of ever seeing it again. I had thought a lot of what I could do during that time, as you will know how much it had meant to me.
This is what happened to me, first the why! You may think, why is this so important to me, because it's the only thing I have left of my wife Edith. I had two appointments up in Kelowna on the Friday May the 5th 2000. I usually have a shower the afternoon before I go, that afternoon I was watching my recording and I was, getting undressed at the back of my "Rocker Chair", as it was almost at the end, I thought I would take my chain off so I could jump in the shower, now it was over I did just that, I had my shower and ready for my supper, then it
would be a restful night until bedtime. I usually take my chain off in the bathroom before jumping under the shower. This day I must have taken my chain off without thinking where I was undressing, watching my English sitcom, Coronation Street.
The next morning I got up early so that I could get on my way by 17 am. I was a little behind that morning, dashing around, now I was going out of the door when I suddenly missed my chain, dashing back into the bathroom to pick it up, I could not find it anywhere, it was not there, forgot where I had taken it off, I was on my way out to the car and when I got to the door, I was still thinking about it, where did I take it off. I eventually remembered just before I got into my car, I had taken it off at the time when I was getting ready to jump into the shower. Ho! I thought I was standing at the back of my rocking chair.
I dashed in to grab it, I was fixing it around my neck as I was on my way out to my car, I was off, a little later than usual. I had a good run to Kelowna, my first appointment was down town for an Ex-ray, dashed back to my next appointment at Westbank for a massage with Robert. I had Nannet with me as we were doing a little shopping then back to Keremeos. It was a very nice day and we had a nice drive home in time for supper.
Every thing was good and my night was enjoyable watching all my recordings until bedtime, the next morning, Saturday, I was having my usual morning wash and when I was drying myself I notice my wishbone was missing off my chain, I felt for it at the back of my neck as I some times if I forget to take it off I have found it up there, this time it was not there, I really panicked and thought I had taken it off at the Ex-ray or at Roberts when I have a massage, did remember that when I took it of at Robert's that I had not fastened it up I just put it on top of my shirt, straight away I thought that was where I lost it. I thought about this all the time, it so upset me I could not rest without this on my mind.
Straight away I rang his phone number to let him know, and knowing he was away fishing for the weekend, so I left him this message: First I told him I had lost my wishbone. (I had told him when he first saw it how much it meant to me) I thought that I lost it in his place when I had taken it off. Would he please check the room I was in first thing on Monday morning and would he please let me know if he found it. He knows all about my wishbone and how upset I would be if I lost it; it means everything to me and I was hoping he would find it or someone would have handed it in if they had found it after I left, I had rang Nannet and told her what I had done.
I thought after talking to them at the Ex-ray first thing on Monday morning, the lady I spoke to remembered because I was from Keremeos, she did remember me coming all that way, I told her I had lost my wishbone and what it meant to me. She said the nurse that looked after me had just walked in, and would have a word with her. When she came back this is what she said, "The nurse said you asked her if there was any need to take your chain off and she said no." I apologized and said that's right I do remember her saying that, she said good job as we use a very big vacuum machine and that would have been lost forever. Now in my mind I know where I had lost it, I had taken it off when I had the massage with Robert in Westbank. I hope that Robert would have some good news for me.
I was still waiting to hear from Robert, I could not wait any longer, by Wednesday night I rang him and was very annoyed for what he said, "We clean up before we leave on Friday, and I am sure no one would steal it, when I have time I will empty the vacuum." I never heard from him again. Then on the Friday I went up to see him where he has his massage room at his home. To ask him straight if he had emptied the vac. He said no, I have not had time, I told him straight if you have not had time then I don't have time to come to you any more, now cross me off as you will never see me again. Nannet came in with me, and when she heard me tell him straight, she walked out.
As usual I say my prayers at night and asked God to help me to find it, after the conversation with the Ex-ray and with Robert about the vacuum, I said in my prayers that following night to God, "Thank you for helping me to find my wishbone but now I know I will never see my wishbone again, because it most likely gone up the vac; and lost for ever, I thanked our good Lord God for all the help I have received from him all my life.
Now it was time for me to think what I could do to replace it; this went on for almost six month, many weeks thinking what I could do about it. I eventually came up one night with this. I will be going over to England in the summer of 2001, I will go to the shop in Halifax where I bought it for Edith and will see if they have another one, if not I will ask them if they could make me one and I don't care what it costs, I got it for Edith's birthday in 1970. And I had intended to have it with me to the day I go to our Lord God inheaven. We got that at our regular Jewellers in Halifax Yorkshire. He told us that it was the only one made, and Edith and I always looked out for one which we have never seen anywhere in England or even in Canada. I know it might be a million to one chance of finding one, as it was a one of a kind, we were told, and have never seen one like it through all those years.
Many a time even in Canada in summer, when I went to ask someone in a shop where I could find something [I did not have it round my neck in winter] they would spot it and ask me what it was, and I would tell them, they would say, "I've never seen one like that in my life before." That happened quite a few times in the Kelowna Mall when I called for something, and every time I went to a jewellers shop I would look around to see if they had one. Even one day I was in a Jewellery shop and the lady asked me what it was, when I told her she said, she had never seen one before.
It is now over six months since I lost that Wishbone, all that time I kept thinking what I could do if I could not replace it by buying a new one, then one day it came to me to ask my friend Bob in U.K. to go to the shop were I had bought it, he did that and found out for me that they had closed shop.
For weeks I was back to the start, every time I was on my own I wondered what I could do. I did remember there was another shop in Halifax where Edith bought me a gold watch one of the first Sulova watches with the second hand that goes round like the old type watch, and another one that as never been seen since. I will go and see if he can have one made to my drawing. As I have said
I know it will not be the same, but to me it will mean I still will have Edith with me where ever I go.
A BIG MIRACLE CAME TO ME FROM OUR GOOD LORD - THE DAY I EVENTUALLY FOUND MY LOST WISHBONE.
When I said to God every night in my prayers what I was going to do when I went to visit England next year to try and replace the one I lost for ever. I thanked him for all the help he gave me when I really thought it would never be found. I had already told God to forget it. Now we are in the sixth month and it was still on my mind. Then one morning, when I was having my breakfast on Friday the 20th October 2000, (I have been having this for the last seventeen years since I retired), Porridge with a banana mashed up for sweetener, then I sprinkle using my tablespoon, Rice Krispies over the top when it's cooled off a little while.
That makes me chew my porridge instead of swallowing it straight down, like most of us do. Every thing as usual went okay until I got to my dinner time after cooking I usually use my tablespoon to dish my food out, now I could not find it and as I only have one I had to use my dessertspoon as it was dinner time. I thought it best to have my dinner and then decide to check once again all over my house at that time I really had no idea what I did with my tablespoon.
After I finished my dinner and cleared up I set about searching my home high and low all over, in places I knew I would not have left it, I was at it all afternoon and eventually sat down for a break and a cup of tea, during this time I kept thinking what could I have done with it, I thought what did I use it for at breakfast, I only used it for putting my Krispies on, I got out the new big box and put the packet on the table as it was a big full box, I got it out of the box and laid it flat and went over it gently as I did not want to spoil the krispies; I thought it's not in there, the only place I never looked around was the lounge, maybe I had it in my hand and went to put a recording of a TV program going. I decided I would go and search around in case I just placed it down when using my remote control, I went in and searched everywhere it was not there.
Now I am on my way out to the kitchen when God spoke to me in my head, it came to me and I stopped before I got halfway to the kitchen, you have not taken the cushions off the chairs' - I turned back and started taking them off but found nothing, I was about to place them all back, when God spoke to me again and put this in my head, as I started walking back to the kitchen once more God said, "Now you got them off why don't you look down the back of the chairs, and the sides."
I turned back again and did that, I was really amazed when I placed my hand down the back of my Rocker chair, I felt a hard object but could not grip it to pull it out, I got my long nose pliers to pull it out. Before I did that I was really expecting to find a picture hanger as I remembered dropping the whole box down the back of the chair when I first started putting my pictures on the wall, I was overwhelmed with astonishment to see what I pulled out; yes, it was my one and only wishbone, I went straight in the bedroom where Edith's ashes are and said my prayer of thanks to our Good lord.
God who had guided me without doubt to find it by loosing the tablespoon. I was so pleased that I thanked God over and over again; if anyone cannot believe that was a miracle, I do not know what is.
This is how God talks to you, it's the way it comes into your head when you are not even thinking or doing anymore about what you have lost. That meant everything to me, believe me it's happened so many times how God helps me. When I say how Lord God talks to me, you have to experience how it comes into your head just like a flash, and stays in your memory!
My next episode how did I loose my wishbone in the first place? It all came back to me when I thought about it the next morning, was ready for my shower that previous afternoon before getting ready to go up to Kelowna for my Ex-ray and massage, when I was watching my recording and when it almost finished I was behind my rocking chair, and the only thing I had left on as I said previously
was the chain, and once more I did not fasten it up; I have said this earlier, if you have read it up to this point you will understand how it all happened. I still say my prayers every night to thank God even to this day.
THIS IS ONE OF MY PRAYERS THAT I LIKE SO MUCH
Asked the lord to comfort me when things weren't going my way;
He said to me, I will comfort you and lift your cares away.
I asked the lord to walk with me, as darkness was all that I knew;
He said to me, never be afraid for I will see you through.
I did not ask for riches; he gave me health and more;
The moon, the stars, the sun, the sky, and gives me eyes to behold.
I thank the Lord for everything and count my blessing each day;
He came to me when I needed him, I only had to pray;
And he'll come to you if you ask him,
For He's only a prayer away.
Thank you lord for the guidance you have given me throughout my whole life and still guiding me to this very day in my retirement. He loves each one of us, good or bad. There are miracles happening every day. Things that people do not realize.
I did not have any visitors for Christmas so it was very quiet as usual. What I did during the day was look around my home to see which would have been the best place for my computer, after checking I decided to have it in the small bedroom, I have already got a computer desk which I had to put together. I started in the New Year putting it up; it took me three days to put it together. I wanted to get a computer to put my story in memory, instead of typing it on paper, then to print it out when finished. I now knew I could use a computer myself instead of sending it to Bob in U.K. but would need some instruction.
This is where God came into my life again, a few weeks later I went into Penticton on a Saturday as usual to do my weekend shopping. I was walking into the store when God stopped me in my tracks, it came into my head like a flash; God said, "Why don't you go and see what they have," I had no idea of doing this when I left home. I went up to the "Radio Shack" in the Mall. I was outside looking at the units, and I saw one assistant doing nothing, I waved to him and he came to deal with me. I told him I didn't want to buy but would like to find out what offers they had. Well I found out that I could not only get it cheaper but also I could have it right now and not pay a penny for six months, and they only had one more to sell.
I thought what have I got to loose, by the time I have to pay I will be back from my visit from England. I accepted the offer and bought the computer. The boy I met that day was call Greg, he came up to fix it all up for me. I told him that I only wanted to work on my "Life Story." He asked me if he could read it, sure I said. After he read a few paragraphs he asked me who had done it, when I told him I had it typed. It was my friend in England who had said to me when I was in U.K. as I did not have a computer, "Send it over to maenad I will do it on my computer for you in book form."
This is not very good he said, I could do it for you but I do not have a computer, I offered him mine if he would do it for me, we agreed and I let him take it back to his home and when I returned from England he would have it all printed out for me as far as I had gone. I offered to pay him $50 a month and he said he would have it finished by the time I got back from U.K.
First I would like to say that I was still having trouble with that lump I found in my tummy back in the September 1999. I have been to the doctor five times to this day, and he keeps saying it is a Hernia, and by this time I was getting annoyed with him and I kept telling him it was not an Hernia as it did not hurt me when I worked in the garden, or when I was lifting 18.9 litre bottles of my good drinking water.
Only now and then it would stop me going to the toilet and giving me wind, he told me to take some Ovol for gas that will clear it. This went on all through the year 2000. In October I told him I wanted to see a specialist, his answer was there is a two years waiting list. I told him, don't tell me there is no other one doctor to book me in with, in Kelowna. He then said there is one you can see. and he would make an appointment as soon as possible.
I went to this other Dr: when he gave me an appointment in the third week of October, I told him all what I had told Dr. Hignel, he examined me and this is what he said, "Well, I do not think it is an internal Hernia either, he talked to me a little while and said it does not gave you any pain even lifting 18 9 litres and carrying them into our home?" I answered, "It only gives me a little wind sometimes and I take something and I'm okay for a little while. The Doctor then said, "I think we will leave it for next month November, and I will make you another appointment."
That was okay by me, my last visit was end of December, I visited him and as I was no worse, he said we'll make another appointment in January 2001. I just put up with it once again and it did not bother me as I kept taking Ovil when needed. It got close to my appointment in January 2001. When I got a call from his wife to let me know he was ill, and had decided to retire. He asked me to tell you to go back to your family Doctor.
My family Doctor made me an appointment with the Specialist for May the 8th 2001 I had to tell them that I. would not be available as I had booked to go to England for the 3rd of May, I knew it was getting more often but I did not think it would stop me, I was now getting within a month of leaving and got all my packing finished, only one week to go. I started getting trouble on the Tuesday night the 25th of April. I was still taking Ovol to break the wind but this time it was not working, it went on to Saturday the 30th when I ended up not being able to keep my food down.
I rang my friend Nannet up and asked her to come down to see me as I was sick, as usual she came straight down soon as she saw me being sick she said. "I'm taking you straight down to visit our doctor in Keremeos, and when he saw me he called the ambulance to take me straight into Penticton hospital, I ended up having to cancel going to England.
The specialist that was operating on me came to see me everyday because he found out I was on Coumadin and had to come off for four to five days. I kept telling him what my doctor kept saying in Kelowna and I kept saying it was not Hernia. They came every day to check my blood and so did the specialist Dr. D.K.Mcgiver, he examined me each day, I told him I had booked to go to England, but hee advised me to cancel my trip as this was a very serious, and if I went I would end up in hospital. I had no hesitation, as I knew it was God talking through him.
There is always a reason what ever happens to me, God is behind it all, the Lord works in miraculous ways and that as been happening to me all my life, I never forget to thank the lord every day for all he as done for me. The specialist went on to tell me, that they had arranged for my operation Thursday the 3rd May the day I should have been on my way to England. The surgeon Dr. Mcgiver who did the job came that morning to see me like he did each morning to see how I was. After the operation was finished I was in the recovery room for one hour, they then took me back to the ward. The next morning Friday, the surgeon came to talk to me.
This is what he said to me, and every one in the ward could here him. "Mr Hunt you were right all along, it was not an Hernia." He went on to tell me, I had a hole in my muscle and from the beginning your waste had backup, I was so glad I took his advice, he let me go home the next day, he also said if you have any more trouble you ring my office and see me only, and he gave me his card. I was very pleased that he told me the truth. He thought my Doctor was right because he told me it could have been an internal Hernia, just what my Doctor said. But I still told him it was no Hernia because I was still working around my home and still lifting 18.9 bottles of water. I was so pleased when Dr. Mcgiver told me the truth.
I have decided to now cancel my trip to the United Kingdom for this year. Now I hope I can get my Story finished right up to the present time before Christmas 2001.
Now I have my computer back and I did not know Beverley before I asked Greg to do my story, she was going to school to learn the computer, and I did not know it was free for the elderly, then again I did not know Beverley was a real Christian, I found out later how she helps other people every day and does not take money for what she does, I have been the same all my life I love doing things for others and no way do want paying. Now can you believe how God brings people into my life, Beverley had only just been in next door a few months. I was doing okay on the Computer until I kept pressing the wrong keys and something happened, then I did not know how to put it right. She said to me one day when I complained about Greg because he wanted me to fail so I would have to bring him to help me to sort things out when I did not know how to do it myself, and had to pay him. Then when Beverley found out she told me to ask her first and she came to show me the way and been teaching me all she knows. I now do not have to bring her to me a lot unless something goes wrong. And I do not need to go to school because she is a very good teacher, she is only learning herself and some times she don't know but she soon will find out and put me right, That is a real Christian, thank you Lord for bringing her to me.
This is the way God works, it may take a little time for God to bring help but I assure you it will come eventually, that's how it as happened to me all through my life. I said it so many times how God's guidance comes into my life each day you can read this in your bible from the Prophet Isaiah. He says, "…He who created you... fear not, for I have redeemed you: I have called you by name: you are mine when you pass through the waters, I will be with you: and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned: the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am your Lord God!"
We are into the last two weeks of August and do not have a lot more to put into my story. I hope to travel up to our Keith in Calgary on the 21st of August. I was packing the car up to go on my travels up to Calgary. I got off from Keremeos at 1pm with help from Beverley and Don next door. I stayed in Kalowna, went straight to my hotel, had a good bath and a good sleep ready to travel to Calgary the next morning. I had Keith to meet me up by the ski- jumps, at the Olympic Park, then went to his new apartment, we went out to do a little shopping, and took Puff [Keith's little dog] for a little walk at night, I did not sleep very well as Keith was in the basement and it was much to cold for me. I was awake most of the night, I told Keith next morning, he gave me his big blanket I could wrap it round me twice, I did sleep better after that. Keith was working up to 3 pm the next day, I went out walking with puff in the morning, and after Keith came home we had a ride to the little place for a meal. We had another day out all day, on the Monday the 27th. Keith took me up to see Cathy's home (the lady in the music shop Keith taught for) we had a nice ride and a nice day, she had a place after my own heart, she and her husband and made the outside so nice, it was a new home, I enjoyed that nice day. They had been in that home for eight years that is the same as it took us to get our place in Elland in Yorkshire England looking so nice.
Tuesday the 28th I was leaving for home today! I packed my car Monday night to be off early in the morning. Keith only lives a short way from the #1 highway in his new place, I followed him up to it and got on it, we pulled over on hard shoulder to say goodbye.
Then I was on my way. I only stopped for lunch and got to Kelowna, for 3:20 pm and home for 5:15 pm. I left all my unpacking until Wednesday morning; I had a talk to Nannet and Beverley to let
them know I was home.
Planning a trip to England. This year I think this will be my last vacation as I am unable to hire a car to travel around U.K, and I always like to go to Wales to visit my Church in the country where I lived all my young days and my Church. The problem is getting a flight the day I arrive in Manchester to Cardiff Airport like Colin asked me to do it and then Antony and Colin would then pick me up at Cardiff Airport [they are relatives of the Hunt family].
I have now got everything sorted out for my trip to Manchester England, I was hoping I could book straight through to Cardiff in Wales, there was no flights to Wales leaving the day I was arriving in Manchester, the trouble is no big flights go into Cardiff Airport, I hope I can get someone to drive me down. I am leaving on the 2nd of May for Manchester and then will return on the 26th of July to Canada. Beverley and I decided that I should take my Story with me to U.K. with not having my own transport to get around to visit all my friends and trips to the seaside I would need to work on my story; how true that advice worked out for me, I did spend a lot of time going through my story.
This is my life in U.K. after arriving in Manchester on Friday 3rd of May 2002
I had a good journey all the way to Manchester. And although they have changed the arrival section the man that was looking after me took me to the right place; I wondered if Mark or Carolyn new that it had changed, I was sat there for just five minutes when they arrived, I was relieved when they came I was happy to see them. We called to have a sandwich before setting off to Pontefract. We had a nice day to travel and a very nice journey all the way home, Michael was with Mark when they picked me up at Airport and was I glad to see them both, now ready to set off for home.
I was indoors quite a lot as the weather did not seem to be very kind to me, after a few days on arriving there I did quite a lot of work reading through and correcting and adding things that came in my head with the help of God reminding me of the things that really happened. There are some that will not believe God will talk to you, God speaks to each one of us we need to hear His voice or influence, how does it come into your head. I read the Religious Perspective in paper (Celebrating Faith) "The Human touch of Jesus Christ." (It's in the paper every week in Canada).
I like Reading it every week. I go over my story from the beginning, as I think about what happened, I can also picture the place as it were in my days, that's when God puts things in my head and may bring things back to me to add in my story. So I had lots of time on my hands, then if the weather were nice I would go around the place for walks, I did not do when I had a car. I would like to add this. Let me say how the Lord Jesus-Christ talks to you when you are not even thinking of a certain thing, it comes into your "head like a flash of light, and you know what God is saying" I have experienced this and as you read my story you will understand how God talks to you.
As it was my first time to go on vacation without a car, it sure turn out to be a very good suggestion that my friend Beverley made, you bet it did. Believe me, unless things change I doubt if 1'll never go on vacation to U.K. again. If it were a dry day I would go for a walk. I did have a few bus rides to see my friends when they offered to drive me back to where I was staying, I was a little disappointed with a few of them it was "to long of a bus ride to see them just for one hour as I had to return by 3 p.m. as it had taken four hours Bus ride to get to Halifax.
I did have a lot of promises from my friends before going over which did not materialize. Bob did manage to drive me down to Wales at the weekend I wanted him to take me and bring me back, but, things had changed and I was not told about it at the time he came to visit me when I was staying with my niece in Ferry-bridge I told Bob I had case and a cold box and a shoulder bag Bob told me that was okay as he had a big car.
He did take me down when he had to go through Wales on his way down to Somerset to take his wife Helen to see her son, when arrangements were made he told me he had plenty of room as I told him what I had to take, he assured me there was plenty of room in his car, when he turned up for me he did not have the room and I Noticed that Helen had her mother with them I could see by their face's they did not like it. Also he would not listen to me of the best freeway to go, it ended up his way was longer, anyway we got there okay. And I was very pleased he could take me. I did feel unwanted as he also had his mother-in law with them and my case had to be between mother and I, it was a little cramped up.
I enjoyed my short stay in Wales. The weather was very bad it led on and off each day with a lot of mist on the mountains. I stayed on the little holding with my sister-in-law and helped her to do some little jobs, unfortunately with having bad weather I could not do all the jobs I could have done for her, I was able to run round in the village with a loan of her car shopping and so on. I could have stayed longer but I did not want to put on her too much, I would like to stay there all through my holiday if I could fly direct from Vancouver to Cardiff in Wales. I did try and book a flight but we found there was no connection until a day later. I will not ask any one again to drive me down, I will wait and fly down to Cardiff, If I ever go again I will not be spending my time to visit them.
When I was ready to come back I gave Bob a ring to see if he could pick me up at the next weekend but he wanted me to stay another two weeks when he had to go down to take Helen and her mother back down for Helen to see her son. I did not like what he said next, "if you stay until I go down to take Helen, there will be plenty of room for your case and so on, but not to pick you up on my way back," I decided to get back some other way, Thank you Bob I will not ask you again but you will still be my friend.
I was talking with Elaine, (Peggy's Daughter - EDITH'S SISTER) and she told me that when Gracie comes down from Halifax she always travels with the bus Greyhound. I went with Nancy to (Neath) our little town to try to book with the Bus, we eventually found the old booking office and found a notice in the window and we were surprised to find that the booking office was near where we lived. I got booked for the following week, also got Barbara (Nancy's daughter-in-law) to take me down to Swansea to pick up the bus, I have known Barbara for years and thank you Barbara.
I appreciate you taking me all that way. I do not like having to travel by Bus it takes so long to get home still I guess now that is the way I will have to travel if I ever go over again. I also notice that they were picking up in "Neath" my hometown. When I made my booking they said when I asked them if I could get on closer to where I lived. The girl where I did the booking said no, I would have to go all the way to Swansea to pick the bus up.
We were waiting for the bus to come in and I thanked Barbara for bringing me all that way, we were talking about old times until I was ready to board, now I'm in the bus and it was ready to set off, I waved to Barbara as we set off, I was expecting to go all the way to our next big stop, I was surprised it was in my town of Neath, we had no need to go down all that way to Swansea; anyway, I will know that when I come to visit U.K. next time, God Willing!
Our journey was quite good all the way to our next stop to pick passengers up, we were now about halfway to Halifax when we had a hold up for some reason, this went on for forty-five minutes. The driver got in touch with his boss on his phone and after a short break he was told to miss is next pick up and go on to Birmingham, we had to change buses when we got there. Barbara had told the driver to look after me when we changed and he took my case's to my next pick up.
I was on my own just few minutes until a lady came on her own, I asked her if I was left at the right place as I was going to Halifax, yes she said, then I asked her if there was any place I could get a sandwich as I had been traveling all morning and had nothing to eat, she told me where to go and she would look after my case's. Away I went, time I got severed the lady came for me as the bus had come in and the driver was ready to set off, and I was just on my way so she took my cup and I followed her back to the bus, she had already got her seat on the bus, she said to me, "You can sit with me if you would like too," I sure did as she was a very nice person and we set of on our last ride so I thought. She was reading a book so I did not talk much to her, then we eventually stopped at Leeds; I was surprised and said to the lady, "I thought we were going straight to Halifax," she said, "We have another stop at Wakefield."
"I wish I had known," I said, "I am being picked up in Halifax and they live near Wakefield."
She asked me, "Do you have their phone #?" I said "Yes I did," - she had a cello-phone and she got Irene on for me. I told her to ring Joanne and Kevin to pick me up at Wakefield. Once again how the Lord God brought this lady to me at the bus stop. We talked all the way to Wakefield and she told me she was also on holiday with her family and she had been visiting her other daughter who lived Birmingham and told me she had made that journey a few times over the years. When we arrived at my stop I thanked her very much and waved her off and so did my family.
I am back with my niece Irene in Pontefract in Yorkshire and I'll be there now until it will be time for me to pack my bags and return to Canada. Irene's daughter Carolyn was able every Friday morning or afternoon to take us to the shopping centre for our weeks grocery's to save us having to come back by taxi. She was to take me to the seaside with her family, her husband Mark was also working and could only help us now and then, it was very nice of then to do what they could to help me to get about and it was Mark that picked me up on my arrival at Manchester Airport; Carolyn was there to take me back to Manchester on leaving for Canada. Carolyn is always ready to help me if I run out of things. I phone her and she will send them out to me in Canada. Some things Canada does not have for whatever reasons.
I only have two weeks left of my holiday in U.K. I used the first week to sort out my cases and pack a lot of my things that I knew I would not need. I did a little each afternoon, after supper if it was a nice night I went walking. Sunday the last week we are going up to Catterick where Andrew and Lindsey and family are stationed with the Army, we are going for a day before I return to Canada. Andy is an officer and serving his time that he signed on for. We had a nice day so they took us to tour around the Castle in Richmond, for me going to the top was too much with my bad leg, I waited for them outside until the rest of family came back, we then had a walk around the town as I had never been there before.
When we got back for supper Bianca and I played "I spy" they call it (Downfall) I really enjoyed that hour or so with her as the rest was watching the T.V. until we were ready to be taken home, what a nice change that was for me, now we are back home in Ferry-bridge where I stay with Irene, I did not mention that Bob my friend had promised to pick me up one day to have me for lunch before I left for Canada. I never heard from him for three weeks until I had made arrangements to go the last week to Catterick to visit Andrew and family, then on the Friday night he rang up to ask me if I was okay for the Sunday for me to visit them, I had to say I could not as I had already made arrangements to go to Catterick, I have not heard from him since.
Now I have only got two more days to get all my packing finish and to get all my medical things that I take home with me that I can't get in Canada. This is now Friday Morning and I am already to leave for Manchester Airport, my flight leaves at 2:45 p.m. We left early in case there was a hold up on the highway. Carolyn drove me to the Airport, we had her children with us - Emma and Daniel, we got there without a hold up, that gave us lots of time for the children to look around, we eventually went for a meal before it was my boarding time. Carolyn is the very best great niece she always looks after me.
Now it's time to board and for me to say goodbye to them all, I said I don't think I will ever go to U.K. again as I cannot hire a car any more, I'm now to old to be covered by the insurance, with the car hired company's. We had a little meal and then we did walk around the airport and suddenly I did not have my cane. Carolyn went back to the place where we had a meal but it was not handed in so I lost it. It was a little sad to leave them, but I guess that's the way life is. I am up in the Air on my way to Vancouver Canada.
………………..
MY DAD DID AT AGE 85 IN 2005 DECIDE TO MOVE BACK TO CRYNANT VILLAGE WHERE HE AND I WERE BORN. HE THOUGHT HE'D LIKE TO LIVE HIS LAST YEARS IN THE VILLAGE HE WAS RAISED IN. YES AT AGE 85 HE UNDERTOOK TO PACK UP ALL HIS THINGS, SOME NOT SMALL, AND MOVE THEM AND HIMSELF BACK TO WALES.
BUT WITHIN 6 MONTHS HE FOUND BRITAIN AND EVEN THE VILLAGE OF CRYNANT, NOT AT ALL LIKE HE REMEMBERED IT GROWING UP AND INTO HIS ADULT LIFE. SO MANY THINGS HAD CHANGED IN BRITAIN NOW THAT IT WAS PART OF THE EUROPEAN UNION; THE BORDERS WERE GONE; PEOPLE FROM ANY PART OF THE UNION CAN NOW COME TO BRITAIN TO LIVE, WORK, GO ON SOCIAL ASSISTANCE UNTIL THEY FIND WORK. CRIME OF EVERY KIND IS VERY HIGH. THE ATTITUDE OF YOUTHS, FAR TOO MANY - NOT GOOD.
AFTER 6 MONTHS MY DAD HAD DECIDED TO RETURN TO CANADA AND KELOWNA IN THE OKANAGAN VALLEY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. BACK TO WHERE MY DAD AND MOM HAD COME WHEN LEAVING BRITAIN TO EMIGRATE TO CANADA WHEN THEY WERE 63 YEARS OLD.
SO MY DAD WAS BACK IN KELOWNA AT AGE 86. HE ENJOYED LIFE FOR ANOTHER 5 YEARS IN RELATIVELY GOOD HEALTH. HE HAD DEVELOPED A POT BELLY IN HIS 60s THAT HE NEVER LOST. IF HE HAD I BELIEVE HE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD HIS STROKE AT AGE 91, AND COULD WELL HAVE LIVED TO BE A HUNDRED OR MORE, AS THAT WAS HIS DESIRE.
FROM THE TIME OF HIS STROKE HE WAS WHEEL-CHAIR BOUND, AND HIS SHORT TIME MEMORY WAS ALL OVER THE MAP, NOW AND AGAIN WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN, BUT ONLY FOR BRIEF PERIODS. HE DID ENJOY LIVING IN THE 24/7 CARE FACILITY, AND THEY LOOKED AFTER HIM VERY WELL. THEY THOUGHT HE WAS GREAT, AND ALL THE STAFF ENJOYED HIM. I WAS GIVEN A STAFF CARD ON HIS DEATH WITH LITTLE SENTIMENT VERSES FROM EVERYONE; THEY OBVIOUSLY ENJOYED HIS 2 AND 1/2 YEARS HE HAD WITH THEM.
MY DAD DIED JUNE 30 IN HIS SLEEP 2014. HE DID NOT WANT A FUNERAL SERVICE; ONLY MYSELF AND A FEW OTHERS WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE, HE HAD OUTLIVED ALL HIS FRIENDS. HE ALSO OUTLIVED ALL HIS LINE OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND ALL FROM HIS FAMILY LINE OF HIS GENERATION.
HE DIED JUST TWO MONTHS SHORT OF BEING 94.
AS MY DAD HAS RELATED IN HIS LIFE STORY, HE REALLY DID HAVE ONE OF THOSE "CHARMED" LIVES; AS HE STATED TO ME MANY TIMES DURING HIS LAST 2 AND 1/2 YEARS, "I'VE HAD A WONDERFUL LIFE." HE INDEED SO DID.
I WAS BLESSED TO HAVE A GREAT MOM AND DAD. I WAS BLESSED WITH ALL THEY DID FOR ME AND GAVE ME DURING MY WHOLE LIFE UP TO THEIR DEATHS [MOM PASSING AWAY IN 1994 FROM A STRANGE PAINLESS CANCER THAT STOPS THE HEART IN THE END].
THE GREATEST BLESSING THEY GAVE ME WAS TO SEND ME TO A CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL, WHERE THE FIRST HALF HOUR OF EACH DAY WAS DEVOTED TO THE BIBLE; A GREAT FOUNDATION FOR MY LATER ADULT LIFE AND THE WORK OF THE ETERNAL GOD.
AS I ENTER THIS LAST PART OF MY DAD'S LIFE IN JUNE 2015, I STILL HAVE YET TO GO BACK TO WALES WITH MOM AND DAD ASHES AND PLACE THEM ON THE GRAVE SITE, MY DAD ALREADY HAVING IT WITH HEADSTONE AND WORDING [WE BOTH DECIDED UPON SOME YEARS BACK] - JUST TO ADD THE DATE OF MY DAD'S DEATH. I HOPE TO DO THIS IN 2016.
Keith Malcolm Hunt
POST SCRIPT
I DID TAKE MY PARENTS ASHES BACK TO THE VILLAGE OF CRYNANT IN SOUTH WALES, IN THE YEAR 2016.
ALL WENT VERY SMOOTHLY. I WAS TO MEET TWO VILLAGE COUNCIL MEN AT THE GRAVE SITE, AT 2 PM, ON A CERTAIN DAY.
THE FLIGHT OVER WAS RIGHT ON TIME. I RENTED A CAR AT THE GATWICK AIRPORT, AND DROVE TO CRYNANT. IT WAS A CLOUDY AND DRIZZLE RAIN, BUT ALL WENT RIGHT ON TIME.
THEY HAD DUG A HOLE TO PUT THE DOUBLE URN OF MY PARENTS ASHES DOWN INTO IT.
I ARRIVED AT THE GRAVE SITE AT 1: 55 PM.
THE LORD GOD WAS WITH ME TO ARRIVE RIGHT ON THE TIME ARRANGED. GOING BACK TO CALGARY WAS NOT ON TIME. ARRIVING AT THE TIME I WAS TO FLY OUT, WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM; WE WERE GIVEN $30 TO SPEND TILL THE PLANE WAS READY. 6 HOURS LATER WE BOARDED THE PANE; ANOTHER PLANE FROM ANOTHER COMPANY, AS THE ORIGINAL PLANE WAS UN-FLYABLE. BETTER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM ON THE GROUND THAN 40,000 FEET UP.
THE FLIGHT WAS SMOOTH ALL THE WAY BACK TO CALGARY, GOING OVER THE SOUTH TIP OF GREENLAND.
I THANKED OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN FOR BEING WITH ME AS I FULFILLED MY PROMISE TO MY DAD.
MOM AND DAD ARE PHYSICALLY TOGETHER, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE SECOND RESURRECTION WHEN THEY WILL BOTH COME OUT OF THE GRAVE, AND I CAN GREET THEM, AND SHOW THEM THE TRUTHS OF THE BIBLE AND THE WAY TO ETERNAL SALVATION.
Keith Hunt
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