A few weeks back my family traveled to Parrsboro Nova Scotia. We were attending a memorial service for Geraldine Canning. Geraldine was the mother of a very dear friend of ours, Debby. Debby was our neighbor when we live in Texas. Her son is our daugher's age and her daughter is our son's age. The kids grew up together for over five years. We got to know Geraldine when she would come visit over different holidays and she became like another grandmother for our children. Later, after we moved to Montreal our families would visit each other and eventually our kids would meet up with Debby and her gang in Parrsboro each summer. Not a bad place to vacation.
So we knew Geraldine as a grandmother and a friend and this is why we wished to be part of the memorial service.
Apparently we weren't the only ones who held her near and dear. The church service was standing room only. This alone spoke to me of her life and her effect on people. We never knew much of her life before she entered ours. We had no idea of the nursing work she did during the Springhill mine disasters of 1956 and 1958. We only knew of her as the warm heart who welcomed us into her home, played cards and took walks with the kids. People can be famous for many different reasons, and those with money can attract crowds, but those who live life my giving love to all are loved in return.
I have to tell you this. After the service refreshments were served in the Hall adjacent to the church. My wife and I were standing close to each other talking when a woman walked up to us and since were were not natives of the town asked my wife how we knew Geraldine. My wife started to tell the woman that we were old neighbors of Geraldine's daughter when we live in... the woman turned and looked right at me and said. "You are the accident survivor. Geraldine had us praying for you since the day of your accident."
When Geraldine was not practicing the art of nursing people back to health with her hands she was nudging the man upstairs. My hat is off to Geraldine, and all those who follow her lead.
I had to give the woman a hug. It was all I could give in return.
