Dear Cameron List...
If you remember our friend/Kin Bob Cameron of Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada
had in the past, phoned me to ask if I would email the Cameron-L and
let them that though he could not email, he could nonetheless receive
email, and said he wasn't feeling well. (Why I didn't ASK more
questions that day, I will never know, just assumed computer problems).
Many of you did write, and I am sure he appreciated it.
Recently when the 'storm' in life calmed and I gathered my thoughts, I
realized it had been a long time since Bob had connected with us. I
phoned his home and when the phone company said 'disconnected' I called
information . The operator gave me a new # and I called it ...I said
"Hi Bob" and he replied "Hello" . I said "This is Peg from
Wisconsin".
He said "Who?" You know how that goes, "Peg who you know from...yada
yada...is this the Bob Cameron of Cold Lake whose wife is Shirley?" He
said "Yeees..." I asked "Don't you remember me Bob?" (Bob and
Shirley
had stayed at our home twice in the past) He said "No..." I had quite a
long conversation trying to explain who I was, refreshing his memory,
thinking it odd he forgot... it dawned on me it just didn't sound like
Bob's voice somehow...no not at all.... I began to have a sinking
feeling something wasn't right...hmm, will you believe he had to
regretfully tell me that the Bob we knew had passed on about a year
ago...I was stunned, saddened, (still am) to say the least, and really
couldn't put it all together. He went on to explain that he and Bob
only lived a short distance from one another in Cold Lake area, and both
Bob Camerons being married to a Shirley had caused no small confusion
frequently, and never met face to face..
There is some Good News in all this. Shortly before Bob passed on, he
called this Bob and introduced himself when he read in the newspaper
that his father had just passed on. Our Bob asked him if he would like
a bagpiper at his father's funeral, and so sure enough he arranged that
bagpiper for Bob #2 father's funeral...isn't that not just like Bob!
haha...and this Bob Cameron was really moved and happy that Bob would
do that. The Bob I talked to on the phone knew nothing about his own
ancestry, (don't you suppose Bob #1 got him to thinking about it...that
would be so like him, he loved his Cameron roots so, and wanted all
Camerons to appreciate the Gift of who they were). This Bob said he
would love to know more, has now become quite interested, so we did
have a good visit.
I wanted those of you who, like me did not know, I hope Bob is still
with us somehow...but good comes out of everything...isn't that an
Amazing story!
Bob (#1) passed on shortly after his (Bob #2's) father, he thought. I
have no info on where Shirley is, as Bob #2 didn't know. If anyone does,
please email me at
mjcp(a)ngl.eastlink.ca, and thanks!
Amazing...Grace?!! *S*
I will slip in a poem by my gram Jessie Cameron Alison, (b. Millhaven,
Ontario, d. Coeur d' Alene, Idaho), daughter of George Frederick Cameron
(b. New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, d. Kingston, Ontario, Canada)., the
Canadian poet...Tho she wrote it about our Grampa Charlie Alison, it
somehow says what I can't.
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If We But Knew
Those who have passed beyond---if we but knew
Where their loved spirits dwell!---If near or far:
There, in some heavenly realm, beyond the blue,
Far from our mortal sight, on distant star,
To wait our coming to that Spirit Land---
Or here, as close to us as heart's desire,
Invisible, immortal---yet at hand,
Still able to restrain or to inspire!
How doubly dear if they could share our joys!
But---know our griefs and hardships? God forbid
Their bliss be dimmed by sins, by our annoys!
Within your well-loved garden---here, amid
The birds you loved---the flowers that you grew---
Your presence seems so near! Would that I knew!
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Aonaibh re Cheile,
Peg Vodicka (now "Cameron") alive and well in New Glasgow, yes, still.