December 30, 1924 – Ayr, Scotland June 24, 2019 – Calgary, Alberta
In June, we lost John Vallance. I want to leave a brief account of his life, here, because John became a true friend to so many during his time in Calgary. It was a blessing to share in the celebration of his life, along with daughter, Billie, friends of the British Home Child Descendants group that loved John so much and the generous folks of Trinity Lodge.
John and I both ordered a big plate of beautiful liver and onions the day that I met him in Didsbury, Alberta. There, along with Bruce, many stories and much laughter were shared. I knew we would be good friends. John was still living in his own house at this time and sure wasn’t crazy about moving into Trinity Lodge. He was, all his life, a strong and independent man. It was going to be a transition.
It was at this first meeting that I had the chance to share my own family history with John, the story of my Great Grandfather John Moors.
What an amazing human being with such a phenomenal history. John’s friends and family shared amazing recollections of John as a young man, a father, a husband and a child growing up, separated from his family of origin through devastating circumstances. John’s resilience and willingness to educate others was huge.
I’d like to give a special thank you to Hazel who has been a diligent worker for descendants of British Home Children here in Alberta, for without her efforts, I may have never met John. Thank you, Hazel, not only for the beautiful quilt, but for your thoughtful initiatives in caring for our John. He will be missed.
Claresholm, Alberta Heritage Days event.
John may you rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon you. To Billie and all family and friends, may you find strength for the coming days…
A Scottish piper accompanied the family. Beautiful words were shared by John’s daughter and his grand son. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Jarrett Alley sat in my Grade Five classroom and later, my Grade Seven classroom. This was a young man who had tremendous energy. He took every project on with tremendous enthusiasm and prided himself in going the extra mile on everything. Today marks the anniversary of his passing from this life in 1997, leaving behind his Mom, Dad and younger sister…and his move into the next life, where he very much sits in a corner of my heart…influencing how I think about and how I treat others. Jarrett is responsible in part, for the way I view my life. I believe deeply that there is a bliss in knowing that for today… I must celebrate being ‘fully ALIVE’!
Don’t be complacent! Live each day as a fully conscious decision to find magic and create magic for yourself and others. Absolutely cherish the ‘life’ in one another and find the joy in simple things and times shared!
I am so proud to have been one of Jarrett’s teachers and today I send out such love to the universe for all sons….and their families. I wish for broken families to find healing and love.