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Our first child (Darrell) was born on June 18, 1957, while we were living at 2500-W-1 Ave in Vancouver,
B.C. These were the happy times, raising our first child.
While we raised our children,
Rose did not go to work, and we managed quite well on my salary from the Post Office. She was a wonderful mother and wife,
always willing to help and guide the children. She did a super job of it.
In the fall of 1958, with the advice of Rose's mother, we bought our first house, on Granville Ave.,
in Richmond, B.C. Shortly after that, on September 6, 1958 Kevin was born.
All the children went to the same elementary school, called Cook School, and then to various secondary
schools. While attending elementary school, all the children delivered newspapers, when they were old enough. They
all had bicycles to help them. Every once in a while Herb had to fix flat tires, adjust the brakes and spokes to keep
the bikes in operation.
They all enjoyed delivering
papers and it taught them responsibility, not only to get the job done, but also how to manage money. All monies that
they earned was their own, and they also learned how to save it for something that they really wanted. This early in
life training, did well for their futures.
Cheryl
was the most amazing paper carrier of the family, because for some reason she loved to deliver papers when it rained or snowed.
Whenever the children had any problems with delivery or collection of monies, they could always depend on their mother
to help them out.
Correction: Sandy
wasted no time to correct me about the above paragraph -- re delivering papers when it rained or snowed. She said
she loved the rain and snow also. She recalled that on this one snowy evening, after school, she delivered the newspaper
to the Richmond Toyota dealership. They told her that this one new truck needed to be driver tested in the snow, and
told her to put her bike and papers in the box in the back. Sandy thought that they were really nice, and never forgot
the good deed that they did for her, this one snowy day. There was no driver test, they just wanted to help her.
Sandy also recalled that this one special "dog" named Frank, loved this particular pair of pants that
Cheryl wore when delivering papers this one day. The dog thought her leg was the trunk of the tree, because the colour
of her pants were a rusty brown.
In secondary school they
selected different courses along with the regular courses, such as cooking, woodwork, automotive and small engine repair,
etc. Brian made good use of the automotive and small engine repair course. There is almost no car or small engine that
he cannot repair. Of course these new computerized cars are quite a problem, but he is getting to know about them also.
He has a unique gift of catching on very quickly, how to fix almost anything mechanical, and he can weld too.
Because of his mechanical abilities he had many friends. They were not
real friends, but they all had car problems and they came to Brian for help. At first Brian did not charge them, then
he charged some money, but they still kept on coming. Finally he just had to refuse to help anybody, as they were just
using him, because he was cheaper than a garage.
It took
a while, but he did learn a good lesson about the difference between a user and a real friend. His circle of friends
is smaller now, but they are true friends.
| Replica of Herb's school -- "St. James" |
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