As you know when there are lots of children, as you became of age, we started to look after each other.  It was very hard for our parents, when there were many other things on a farm very important to take care of to provide for family.  So we all had to take part to help with the chores, and God only know there were many numerous things to do.  And back then we never asked questions, we just did them knowing that was part of our love for each other.  Our dear parents who worked so hard to provide for all of us.  But it was a job for all of us to take part.

We would start chores at an early age.  We'd wake up early first thing in the morning, bring in the fire wood for day, and lots of water which was pulled from the well that we would need for the day.  We were so blessed because our well was just 4 feet from the house.  How amazing can that be!

As we got older, we took part in cooking, cleaning and washing clothes.   Our washer was a ringer washer that was motorized.  There was so much clothes, we would start in the morning and it would take till late at night.  And we would have to carry in the water to warm it up on the wood burning stove.  Other chores consisted of milking cows, separating the to cream to provide a little extra money and butter for a week, feed the chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese with grain and water.   And with all that we had to get ready for school, and yes walk to school 2 1/4 miles (up hill both ways!)  And believe me boredom was not in our vocabulary.   We all went to a school, which was called Honeymoon School.  It had one room, one teacher, and had grades 1 to 8.  This place Honeymoon had a school, church, a store and a post office, and really what else do we need!

In the spring we would stay home from school to help mother to plant acres of garden, everything that God would grow for us.  Then it came when we'd have to hoe the garden and weed it continuously.  We had Strawberries, Raspberries, Gooseberries, which provided us with fruit and jam.  We also found time to spend with our mother going into the wild and picking when the pickings were good things like Saskatoons, Pinchcherries, High-Bush Cranberries, Low-Bush Cranberries, and Mushrooms.   Mother knew which mushrooms were good, Praise God.  Cucumbers where there by the bushels, and we even had enough for our neighbors.  And Mother was a blessing with a giving heart, so what we didn't need she gave away.  Always with a loving heart of God.  In those days, not understanding the 'Word of God', we couldn't understand that we worked so hard and she would give it all away.  Now I understand how God worked through our Mother to give the blessing to others.  As I grew older, I became a giver too as we were taught through God and Mother.

We used to work together fast and hard to do our chores fast so when we were finished we could have play time.  Our neighbors came by from a mile away, they would just walk over.  We never had toys but our play fun was running in the wild in the fresh air.  We would play baseball, soccer, dodge ball, tag, hide and seek, and I loved playing Anty Anty I over.  Oh it was so wonderful, never boring.  Then we would have a good nights sleep, and three of us sisters shared a room.

When I was eight years old, God spared my life.  As we were running, I ran around the kitchen and tripped and fell on my knee.  The pain was unbearable, but at that time it was my knee that was painful.  As I went to bed I started to get a severe pain in the stomach.  And as hours progressed, I ate less and less, lost weight, and lost strength.  I never complained because I never wanted to burden my parents with stress.  I said that I was fine.  Well I wasn't fine, pretty soon I was bringing up even a sip of water.  My stomach got so hard, and we all thought I had the flu.  I was home with this 3 nights and two days.  On the 3rd morning they took me to the hospital and all I remember is one look at the doctor and then waking up alive and feeling better.  It turns out that my appendix had burst and the poison was going through my body.  The Doctor took my Mother aside and said you are very lucky, another hour and this little girl wouldn't be here right now.  I only wish that I would have known then that it was the Lord Almighty who spared me. 

Weeks later when I came home.  I will always remember my brother Ernie bought me a pair of ski's and I used them to school.  We built high hills of snow, as there was lots and lots of it.  We could do what ever we wanted, like igloos, snow house tunnels, it was so fun.

One day my brothers put me on a straw pile to go down it with my ski's, and the animals had built tunnels in it.  As I was mid way I fell inside.  all I remember is Mother screaming 'Dig her out, get her out!  Get her out or I'll kill you' Ha Ha  Well again, I'm still here.

Well, I went to school till I was in grade eight.  We could not afford to go any further.  At fourteen I got my first job.  It was taking care of a family of three.  The mother went away for a two month holiday to the United States, and I made $2.00 a day.  Well I wanted nylons and clothes, as I always had hand me downs and my sister was six years older, and I wanted some 45's too, ugh!   When I finished that job a few months later, my Aunt and Uncle heard that I could do that kind of work, and they asked me to take care of them because my Aunt was hospitalized, and even when she came home she could not do much.  I cooked, cleaned, milked the cows and did whatever needed to be done.  My cousin was older than me, but she did her homework and watched me.  Actually she really looked down on me because she was going to be a 'Teacher'.

Then in 1962 I came to Calgary with my brother Ernie and my sister-in-law.  I stayed with them, they gave me free room and board till I got a job.  There was this job, that was special hiring, and was only for 6 weeks.   But it turns out it went for about 2 1/2 months.  Then I went back home for a few months.  I got a job at Burns in Prince Albert, and worked there for a few months, I lied about my age, as you had to be sixteen and I was not yet.  Later I got laid off, so I came back to Calgary in 1963 and stayed with Ernie and Janet.  My first job was at a move theatre as a candy bar host for $0.65 per hour.  But then I applied for a job at Burns in Calgary.  They called me just as I finished my training at the theatre, so I took the job at Burns as it paid $1.12 hr.

I lived in an apartment with a girl Ann on the corner of 4th Street and 12th Avenue, SW.  Life was hard because I didn't even know how to use the Transit.   I was very shy and nieve in those days.  I didn't have many friends and I was very careful who my friends were.  I always dated, we never went out without a date.   We mostly hung out at the Gardens.  It was a dance hall with no liquor.   Just fun and dancing, the music was from the States.  I met Buddy Knox there, and dated him for a while.  I was never interested in marriage or to get serious.   I dated many, but I kind of hung on to Regg Jost and Bob Gill for about 2-3 years, but they were like my brothers.  I enjoyed their company, but there was nothing otherwise.  We'd do things like picnics, boating, walks, going for a drive, movies, dancing and once in a while the bars.  But I was not a drinker so that bored me at all times.  Then I started to get restless.  I was thinking of moving else where, making a career change, how much could I change with no education.  But I was stirring and very unhappy, I'm not sure why!

Then I moved to an apartment I lived on the corner of 14th Street and 10th Avenue.  It was a beautiful place, I just loved it.  Then one day there was a knock on my door.  There was this beautiful lady, she introduces herself, we talked and she asked me to come over for coffee.  She was married and her husband's name was Andy.  Well being shy and very reserved, I wasn't to opened to complete strangers, but I agreed to go over for coffee the next night.  They were very nice people and as the evening went they asked me if I'd join them and go to a German Dinner and Dance Club.  Well I was devastated, as I never went any where if I didn't have a date.  Well they said, 'You'll be alright, we think there's someone who will like you, we have a friend who will be interested in you".  I not only was devastated, but I thought what kind of talk is that.  What do they really know, blah blah blah!  Well anyway, I couldn't talk them out of it, they literally would not take no for an answer.  Well Saturday I went with them and it was all gods plan because, I then me Andras, my husband today.  He was with a date, but he asked me to dance and we dated from that moment on.  We met on November 21, 1965 and married on August 26, 1967.  Our lovely sweet Launa was born on February 21, 1968.  Then our Son Andrew was born on February 10, 1969.  Talk about fast at work.  Life was not easy everything happened so fast for someone who did not plan on any of this.   Bit it was totally Gods plan.  I can't help but be amazed today how God weaves things in our lives and were not even aware of it.  I give him Praise and Glory!

I need to list a few of the special people in my life.  In 1972, my sister Diane came to live with us to take care of the kids while I worked 2 jobs.   Kathy was my dear friend.  She was always there for me when I needed her.    She sewed my clothes I needed for my maternity, as we were poor and I could not buy them.  She was always there when times where tough for us.  Gloria Hayes(Hansen) was a friend I met early on in my marriage also.  She was always there for me to listen, what ever was the problem.  She has been a life time friend.

The children growing up was sort of a handful, because we lived in a city, and did not have too much money.  But we did the best we could for them.   They are wonderful children I'm so proud of them, They never gave me any burdens or regrets.  Only love, I thank God for them.  I took them to church, taught them about God as much as I knew.  I drove them around on field trips and needs that arose.  I helped at school when I could if I was not working.  They took dance lessons, hockey for a while for Andrew, skating, etc.  I loved my children too much at the time.  I never gave them back to God to lead them and they needed room to grow.  I smothered them because I was afraid that the city would swallow them and destroy them.  I did not let God take care of them and lead them.  I now understand Gods work in our lives, that has lead us to where we are.  They are gods gift to us.  And I'm so thankful and Praise the Lord for them as much as I can, for I regret not doing it much earlier in our lives.

We now have a grandson who is totally from God.  I thank the Lord for him.  I miss him terribly as God has lead them to Seattle for reasons unknown.  Our daughter Launa is working there, making a living for her and Jordan, with the Lords help.

Andrew is still going to a college.  He is also a wonderful son.  I am grateful and proud of him.  Well there is much more to my life.   But that is all I could think of right now.  My life is fulfilled with Gods blessings and I hope and pray I continue to be thankful to our Lord for all his blessings.

My life is now easy.  I'm not working, just taking care of necessities in my life.    I just want to trust in the Lord till my dying day, love my children, spend time with them, and friends and family, and be happy and content with that I pray and what ever God has in store for me from here on.  What else could I really ask for or need.

I Praise God for our loving parent who gave us Gods love and guidance, who have passed away and are with God.  All I have now is loving memories of them.  I miss them terribly, but someday we will be together once more.  And my brother William who also is with our Lord!  I know they are happy with the Joy of the Lord in Heaven.

Verna Sallai
May 11, 2000