Thursday, February 15, 2024
I have known Bernice for a very long time. Our families became acquainted at the Church at Westmount when the Hills had three young boys and we had three young girls. During those years there was sharing and growing. When the Church disbanded, many continued to be friends and the Hills were amongst them.
We did not see them as often and eventually we were obliged to leave London and relocate to Ottawa, because of Tom's job transfer. We lost touch.
After some years, I became a member of the Taoist Tai Chi Society and unexpectedly ran into Bernice at a large workshop in Orangeville. Then, we were old friends once again, and from then until now.
When it cam to Tai Chi, we shared much.
Most notably however, Gordon, Bernice, Tom and I canoed the Rideau Canal from Upper Brewers Lock to Smiths Falls. That is a long way and it took us a week of paddling, camping, cooking outside, getting lost, going across two lakes and following the canal through weather, including days of rain. Gordon was in his early 80's. They were remarkable. We became closer friends than we ever had been, experiencing daily adventures along the way.
We were forever friends.
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