Hope for Tomorrow
Page 31
It was the first day of school and all the children were excited to return. This month they were starting school an hour later so the farm children could help with the chores while there was still quite a bit of harvesting going on. Allie liked that so she could ride her bicycle to the Peterson farm to feed and brush Penny before heading off to school. It was there that she saw Lana saying goodbye to her family. Allie ran over and gave her a hug and then left them to say farewell in private.
Lana was getting ready to head off for nursing school and her father was driving her to the train station to travel to the University of British Columbia in Fairview. It was the first university degree program for nurses, initiated in 1919, making UBC the first university in the British Empire to offer a degree course in nursing. The course was five years. After two years in the Faculty of Arts the students completed a 28-month clinical program at Vancouver General Hospital. They returned for their final year at UBC to specialize in public health or teaching.
Lana was so excited to be one of the first students to be accepted into the program. When talking to an university counselor, he told her to meet with Superintendent of Nurses, Ethel Johns, about Lana's experience as a medical assistant in WWI. She hoped that she would receive credit towards her degree for that. It was hard to say goodbye to her mom, dad, and Lisa.
"I'm so nervous about this. It's a big commitment, but I'm glad I worked in the army to help out the medics. I really felt a sense of being needed as I went from soldier to soldier trying to ease their pain, or bandage their wounds, or just listen," Lana admitted.
"We know, you have a big heart and have always been so willing to help others," her mom hugged her.
"You'll do great. We know you have it in you!" Dan gave his daughter a hug then too.
Looking at Lisa, Lana held her hands, "Lisa, I'm going to really miss our talks in bed at night and just knowing you were always by my side. Please write to me," Lana asked with tears welling up in her eyes.
"Of course, Lana, of course. I will miss you so much. Who knows, I might be going off to college myself soon. I'm still waiting a little longer to make a decision, but I think I want to be a teacher someday," Lisa hugged Lana tightly.
"Well, we best be off Lana, ready?" Dan asked.
"Oh, one last thing," her mom spoke up quickly, "here's a little something to remember us by, but don't open it until you're on the train," and with that she handed a small package to Lana and kissed her goodbye.
"Aw, Mama I will always remember you all!"
With that Dan grabbed Lana's suitcase and put it in his vehicle. "Let's go before the waterworks really start pouring." Lisa and Gail waved as they watched them drive away from the farm.
As the church bell rang at the school, children were greeted with a Welcome Back sign on the chalkboard and a hug from Mrs. Thornton and Mrs. Grant who greeted them outside. Elizabeth walked with Benjamin into the school, and found him a seat near the front next to Karen.
"Good morning class! Everyone seems to be in a good mood. Mrs. Grant and I have a year of fun and learning planned. Are you all ready?" Elizabeth asked.
Opal raised her hand, "I'm ready, but how will Mrs. Grant teach us when she has her baby?"
Dee came forward and told the class, "I will teach for a couple of months, until Dr. Faith tells me to rest and wait for the baby. After the baby comes, I'll be in once or twice a week for a short time."
"What about our band?" Timmy asked.
"Oh, that is still happening, Timmy. I have Mr. Grant, Mr. Avery, and John Russo will be here to continue with that program. Don't worry!" Dee smiled, and was pleased that the children were interested in her staying on as the music teacher.
"Children, have you read your stories over the summer, like I asked?" Elizabeth questioned.
Most everyone raised their hands, "All right, good, now some of you are new to school here, so I understand, but what about those who don't have their hands up, please explain to me why not."
Cooper kicked around his feet under his desk and looked out the window. "Cooper, I didn't see your hand raised, do you have something to tell me?"
"Yes, Mrs. Thornton, I didn't like the book you gave me, so I picked out a book that my folks had already," Cooper hung his head embarrassed.
"That's all right Cooper, you read the whole book right? What was the title?" Elizabeth was curious.
"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer!" Cooper said happily.
"What book did I give you to read?"
"Wind in the willows."
"Oh, I see, that explains it," she looked at Dee smiling.
"So, your first homework assignment is..."
"To write a book report on the book we read," Anna finished Elizabeth's sentence.
Elizabeth looked at Anna and raising her eyebrows, "Yes it is, or you can write about someone who did something special, like an inventor, or a brave soldier for instance. This way the students who didn't read any particular book, can write about someone or something special."
Benjamin raised his hand, "What can I do Mrs. Thornton?"
"Benjamin, you can think of what you would say and instead of writing a report, you can talk to us about your someone or something special."
"Why doesn't he have to write a report?" Anna asked.
"He hasn't learned to write yet, because he hasn't gone to school, like the rest of you have. Don't you worry, once he learns, he'll be required to write, just like you are," Elizabeth shared.
Dee and Elizabeth held their breaths waiting for some mumbling or nasty remarks, but were happily surprised that none came. In fact most of the children looked content and that's the way they wanted the first day of school to be.
Hope for Tomorrow
Page 32
While school was in session, there were several ladies and the Chickadees who were meeting at Minnie's Cafe to discuss and plan the bridal shower for Molly. Faith was keeping her busy so Rosaleen and Flo could make plans.
"What shall we do for Molly's bridal shower?" Flo asked right away.
The ladies were sure that the usual tea/coffee and sweet breads were in order with gifts, but Rosaleen said otherwise. "Mom has everything they need so maybe we could do something a little different. How about we go out of town and attend a play or see someone sing?"
"Yes! That sounds like fun, we should do something different. Molly would enjoy going out on the town, don't you think?" Gail agreed.
"What's going on around here now?" Connie asked looking around for answers.
"Rosemary will know! She writes for the paper, I'm sure she has suggestions." Nancy answered.
Minnie nodded, and called Rosemary. "Aren't you coming over to plan Molly's bridal shower?"
"Of course, I don't want you all to be floundering around, so I'll be right down!" Rosemary assured Minnie.
"If I remember correctly, there's a male singer performing at a night club in Clearwater." Rita said enthusiastically.
"That would be wonderful!" Sue laughed.
Rosemary walked in just then and greeted everyone, "Hello ladies! I hear you are waiting for me so we can plan the best bridal shower we possibly can for our dear friend, Molly. You've asked me to help, and I will be happy to. Now, do you have any ideas?"
As Rosemary sat down the ladies shared their idea of taking Molly out to the nightclub in Clearwater. "My my, ladies, you have come up with a wonderful idea. I heard rave reviews of the entertainer, but rumor has it that he not only has a marvelous voice, but is very good-looking to boot!" Rosemary grinned.
"Hold that thought!" Flo was flustered. "I am not so sure this is a good idea. After all, we are refined decent women and I think we need to just host a delightful ladies' tea with games and a few gifts. Molly is my good friend and she is also a religious woman and would not appreciate us doing anything, well...lewd."
Donna didn't agree, "Flo you are Molly's dear friend, that's true, but she also has a side of her that we have only seen a glimpse of, but it's there, it's a bit of an Irish streak in her that likes to let loose too. You know that, right Flo?"
That's when Rosaleen stood up, "Ladies, I want my mom to enjoy herself. Believe me I think it's a great idea and it'll be a night for her to always remember, laughing, dining, and singing along to songs she loves with her good friends by her side. I will start the vote, and say, YES, let's do it!"
Fiona joined in, "Yes!"
Dottie added, "Hear hear!"
The rest of the ladies agreed, so Flo was outnumbered, but she soon came around and gave in that it did sound exciting.
Over at the RCMP office, Nathan was telling Gunther that once he moved in to his new home the coming weekend, Gunther could stay at his row house. He and Andy would share the house, but they must keep it in good shape and clean.
"Nathan, that would be my honor! What a great offer." Gunther grinned.
"You know Gunther, it was Dee's idea. She has grown fond of you and thinks of you like a younger brother. It seems with Ma's German cooking that you enjoy so much, having you over for dinner, well, you've become part of our family," Nathan put his hand on Gunther's shoulder.
"Ma still wants you to continue coming over for dinner from time to time, so you better, or she'll be very disappointed," Nathan remarked as he started to walk out the door. "I've got to talk to Lee for a few minutes, so when I get back, we'll take you out for a driving lesson, all right with you?" he laughed as he kept walking out the door.
Gunther let out a holler, "All right? Yes sir, it's more than all right."
Nathan walked into the Coulter lumber office and greeted Lee. "I wasn't sure you'd be in the office. I figured you'd be out in the field."
"Hello Nathan, yes you are lucky to catch me here. I hardly ever get a chance to catch up on my quotes and invoicing. All my men have been out working in the field, and that's where I should be. Anyways, what can I do for you?"
"Give me a moment of your time. We need to make plans for Bill's bachelor party. Have you given it any thought?" Nathan asked.
"No, sorry, I've been swamped with work and just haven't had time. Aren't we going to Billees and have food, drinks, cards, and darts?"
"That's been done so many times lately, we've got to come up with something better. Bill has been a bachelor way too long, it's time to celebrate! Besides, he needs a party better than any we've had so far!"
"You have got my attention?" Lee asked curiously, "So, what's your idea?"
"I think we should take him out of town. Let's find a place where they have singing and dancing with girls. We can make sure he is the center of attention."
Lee was thinking too. "This sounds like fun, but I don't know of any place that has that kind of entertainment. Where would we go? Let me grab Rosemary's copy of the Valley Voice, there must be something nearby."
Nathan looked over Lee's shoulder as he paged through the paper. "There we go! Over in Clearwater, there's a few nightclubs and the ads say live entertainment."
"Hmm, this just might be what we're looking for!" Nathan agreed.
Hope for Tomorrow
Page 33
"Oma, I have very mixed feelings about moving to our new house. It's kind of sad leaving this house. When dad and I started here in Hope Valley I have a lot of memories in this place," Allie said wistfully.
"Angel, I know how you feel. It was very hard leaving my farm after many years and it nearly broke my heart. Now, I have a new home with you, your dad and your mom. That's what's most important," Emily said as she brushed Allie's hair from her face. Looking into her eyes, Oma told her, "those are precious memories that you will keep in here forever," she placed her finger on Allie's heart.
Allie hugged Emily and closed her eyes to stop the tears from flowing. "I love you Oma."
"Now, let's continue packing. We've only got a few days and we'll be in our new home all together. It'll be exciting with Christmas and the new baby coming. Just wait and see!" Emily said confidently.
"Yeah, I will have Penny with me so that's makes me happy!" Allie smiled. "Grandpa will be with us too. I know dad won't be so worried about him knowing he's home with us."
Emily sighed. "I'm afraid it's going to be hard on your dad and mom. Your grandfather is going to have surgery on his eyes and we'll be caring for him. The surgery and the new house might be too much for him."
As Emily stopped to look out the window, Allie pondered what her Oma just shared. "Do you think grandfather will forget who we are or where he is?"
"Possibly, but it's not for you and me to worry about, ya?" Emily plastered a smile on her face, "God will take care of us, let's get some more packed now."
Dee came walking home from seeing Dr. Faith for her checkup after school and found Allie and Emily packing up the living room pictures, knick-knacks, and Oma's sewing when she walked in the door.
"There she is! My daughter-in-love!" Emily said as she gave Dee a hug.
"Hello mom!" Allie greeted. "What did Dr. Faith say?"
"Looks like you've been busy!" Dee remarked. "Just don't pack up the pots and pans," she laughed, "we need your cooking to keep us strong for the move!"
Looking at Allie, Dee told her, "Everything is going as well as it should. The baby's heartbeat is strong and Dr. Faith measured my tummy and little bun is growing as big as expected. Dr. Faith got a big kick from bun."
"What about you?" Emily asked.
"My blood pressure and my weight is right on target. I have to keep eating iron-rich foods and cut back on the salt, so I'm counting on your help, Ma," Dee informed Emily.
"No problem, we all want the little angel and Mama to be as healthy as can be. You can count on me," Emily nodded with a smile. "Now, speaking of which, I better finish my stew for our dinner tonight."
"Do you need help?" Dee asked.
"Not really Dee, I'm just going to make some cornbread now as I already cooked the stew earlier and it just needs warming."
Allie set the table and then went outside with Ella and Ginger. Dee checked on the curtains she had been sewing for the windows of their new home. Looking them over, she just had a few hems to finish, and she'd be done sewing. Lately she had been sewing not only the curtains, but school dresses for Allie, and bigger skirts for herself as her pregnancy progressed.
It was only a short time later when Nathan walked in with Archie and Gunther. "Wow, someone's been busy!" Nathan was surprised.
"What's going on?" Archie scratched his head as he looked around confused.
"Well, we're getting packed up Archie, as we'll all be moving together in a few days to Nathan and Dee's new home," Emily explained again.
"Where you going?" Archie seemed upset.
"Just to a new home in the country close by," Nathan told his dad, "and you're coming with us, dad."
"Oh yeah yeah, now I remember. You had me scared for a minute," he shook his head.
After the men washed their hands everyone sat around the table and said grace together. Passing the stew around, Emily shared how she and the ladies were planning a bridal shower for Molly. Without going into detail, as she didn't want Allie to hear, she just mentioned that it would be different than before. She was excited with the plans and reassured Dee she would fill her in later.
Nathan laughed, "Today, Lee and I were talking about Bill's bachelor party. We got to talking and have some new ideas, but I'm not about to spoil the surprise. Bill's had this coming, so it'll be more fun to leave it as a surprise. My lips are sealed."
Dee threw her napkin at Nathan, "Nathan, that's such a tease. You have to tell us."
"Are you invited?" Nathan teased back.
"Oh you're incorrigible!"