White Rabbit

Feb 1

John awoke really early because he knew he was going to be seeing his Auntie Maudie and he had to be up and ready to go with Alan and Jack when they left at 5:45am. They have to leave early to beat the traffic into London.

It was dark and cold when they stepped outside and with the heavy frost Alan had to scrape off the car's windows. John happily sat in the car while poor Alan did the chore and Jack waited to close the gate after the car was driven onto the road.

Alan drove really well along the lanes near the village until reaching the motorway when the power and comfortable ride of the car really showed itself. They hummed along smoothly in the dark and the miles drifted past. BBC Radio 4 was playing as John closed his eyes for a moment.

They arrived at Alan and Jack's work just as dawn was breaking into a clear blue sky. John went in with the father and son and sat in their office as they performed their jobs. John drank a coffee that Jack had made for him. Jack was filling in because they were slightly short staffed. However, both Alan and Jack explained how their software system worked (which was very interesting) and they generously answered all of John's many questions even as they worked. Jack also helped John to find Aunt Maudie's place on a big map of London and John wrote down the directions to her house. It was only a 10 minute walk.

Close to 9am, John said goodbye and set off on the walk. However, he missed the first street where he was supposed to turn and hence walked on and on looking for the correct street. It was quite cold and the wind caused real chill. John put his hands in his pockets. He thought that this would have been a typical winter day in Canada. He finally turned around knowing that he must have overshot his turn. It was easier walking back with the wind at his back and feeling the occasional shaft of sunlight on his exposed face.

He found the street he had missed when he looked down some steps and saw the correct street beyond. After that it was easy to find Aunt Maudie's house.

After ringing the doorbell, Maudie, 80, the widow of John's Dad's youngest brother, answered the door. It was lovely for John to see her again. She had come to Canada once, after John's Dad had passed away, and stayed with John's Mum. So, unlike some of the wonderful people he had seen the day before, he had seen Maudie in this century.

They had an incredible talk. Sitting in her front room, they talked of old times and all the people that they knew in common, including Val. But more than that. Maudie was able to give her perspective on John's Mum and Dad and their times. It was invaluable for John to better understand his family history. He was so impressed and felt so warnm towards her.

Maudie then asked John if he would like to come to the kitchen for lunch. She had prepared everything ahead of time to help keep the conversation going. They had turkey, ham, salad, beetroots, and baked potatoes. It was delicious but the creme brulee for dessert was delicious beyond belief.

They continued to talk and laugh and John, noticing the time was past 2pm, said he had best get back to Alan and Jack's workplace. At that moment the phone rang. It was Alan, asking when John was coming back as they were ready to go home. John said a quick goodbye and he and his Auntie Maudie had a farewell hug and he set off on his return walk.

He met Alan and Jack and they headed back, stopping on the way for a snack (John was too full). It had been an incredible day but more. It was an important day because John knew his Mum and Dad a bit better than he done before. John thought to himself, "It has been so worthwhile to come to England and reconnect with his family."

TRB