View source for Saturday night at McLeish Lake

Sat Aug 8, 2015 (EDT)

by Sharon McKay

Item Type:  Note
Date:  Saturday, 8 Aug 2015

Hi Linnie - thanks for your voice message - so nice to come home to
after a long, and somewhat emotional day.  We played it twice - so nice
to hear your voice.

Ashley, Dave, Sybil and Freddie left this afternoon as planned.  Not
wanting to experience the kind of rush you faced, we arrived at the
airport extra early (about 1:30 pm) and the plane was late again :-(.  I
caught a glimpse of Ashley’s face in the car window as she and Dave
pulled out of the lane - looking sadly at the camp as they pulled away.
Amongst the three of you, Ashley has had the longest association with
the camp, having spent time here for nearly 40 summers - we purchased
the camp when she was 2 yrs. old and she cannot remember a summer that
she was not here (except possibly England - I think she forgot those
years).  She used to visit the camp with her friends in the 2 1/2 years
that she lived in T.B. after graduating from Queens.  Dave proposed
here, and of course, they were married here.  She sent a text from
Toronto after their plane landed, saying that the kids will enjoy
getting back to routine but both she and Dave are feeling a bit sad.

So are we - we have enjoyed 40 years of summers at the lake, many
gatherings with family and good friends - all special events to brighten
our memory banks as we continue to age.  We will miss all of this, and
know that it will not be possible to duplicate such events in southern
ON.  However, it is time to let it go.

Dad and I purchased the camp in part because we both wanted our kids to
have memories of summer days at the family cottage.  Dad always wished
his family had one - envied those who did.  My childhood memories
frequently centre on family get-togethers at my grandparents Edmonton
Beach cottage - west of the city, now apparently a fairly urban area
near Stoney Plain, then very much in the country - a long drive on hot
summer days.   Dad and I are happy that we made the decision we did - at
the time we did not think that some day we would need to hand it over to
someone else.  Who thinks of these things when one is young (35yrs. at
the time).  We expected that we would live in Thunder Bay for most of
our lives, but we have not done so and, as the years have gone by, the
distance, the upkeep, and the considerable work involved to keep us
comfortable when we are here, has become more onerous.  The laundry
alone is a huge job - sorting it, transporting it to TB, washing,
drying, folding, transporting back to the camp, etc. - we dealt with a
mountain of sheets, blankets, towels, clothing, etc. after Ashley and
Dave left, which is why I mention it - your sheets and towels were
amongst the lot.  There are other tasks that are time consuming and more
burdensome as time goes on and our energies are waining: looking after
the compost toilet (Dad’s job, thankfully), maintaining. the deck (Dad)
repairing various items - the shower this year (Dad again).  I find
cooking a challenge - not having clean running water means paying
special attention to washing fruits and vegetables, keeping counters
clean, etc.

We will let the camp go knowing that each of our daughters have
experienced some wonderful times here - that tales of the lake, the
sauna, visiting friends and their children, homemade commercials in the
old tv frame, evenings spent playing Chinese Checkers and other games,
and, not ever to be forgotten, Dave and Ashley’s wedding - will be
shared within the family and with our grandchildren for many years to
come.  Sybil, Freddy, Vivien and Zoë will have lots of photos to help
them imagine what their family camp vacation was like.  For these
memories we are grateful.  They will stay with us forever - part of the
many blessings we have enjoyed together and with our family and friends
over the years.

Lots of love, Mom

copies to Ashley, Kelsie, Dave and Merwan as I have waxed on for longer
than first intended.

ps.  I have just read this to Dad.  He says “let me get you some more
wine”.