The Christmas concert was my favourite. I enjoyed the carolling. Christmas music has always been uplifting to me. We made gallons of hot cocoa on the old wood stove, and fancy cookies and goodies were brought to share. Everyone joined in the carolling. Spirits seemed to swell.
Oh sakes alive, those were all such grand times. Sure makes my heart swell just thinking about the fun I enjoyed growing up. People seem to overlook all those good times and dwell on the hardships of the era. Sure enough we didn’t have all the nice stuff nor the conveniences we enjoy today, but in many a way, life was appreciated more, and we lived it to its fullest extent. Things weren’t taken for granted so much back in those days, but cherished and appreciated. We made do with what we had and enjoyed life all the same. Yes siree, we surely did have some grand old times.”
courting time
“The room looks lovely, dear. You’ve managed to find a place for all the decorations. It’s nice to have some of my special things here with me. You were right, they do brighten up the room.” I hear a knock on the door. “Come in.”
Jenny, a dietary aide, peeks her head in the door. “Hello, Anna. My, your room looks nice. It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas,” she hums. “Would you gals care for a refreshment this morning?”
“I’d love a coffee. How about you, Beth?”
“That sounds good. Just milk in mine, please,” Beth replies.
Jenny brings us each in a cup of coffee and a little plate with cookies on it. “For your sweet tooth, Anna. I’ll warm up your chicken and bring you ladies a tray with refreshments at lunch,” she said.
“You’re spoiling me, Jenny. Thanks,” I say.
“It’s the least I can do, since I don’t have to deal with you in the dining room. I’m getting off easy today.” She winks at Beth and leaves.
“She seems like a nice girl, Gran,” Beth comments. “Sounds like she’s got your number.”
“She is. I really like her. She takes good care of me in the dining room. She’s a real good worker, too.”
“Well, Gran, let’s get back to your story. It’s interesting to hear about how things were when you were a young girl. You haven’t mentioned anything about dating or boyfriends. I’ll bet that you had lots of beaus and gentlemen- callers beating down your door. When did that all take place,” Beth asks?
“Well, Beth, I’m getting to all that. Let me continue on with my story.
As primitive as times may have seemed back then, progress was being made in great strides. By 1911 the railway line construction had gotten underway. We became an organized township in 1912 and had our own reeve and council. This helped us acquire government grants for road construction and improvements.
1913 was a very memorable year. It was a year of great change for me and everyone in the area. Construction of the rail line through our township was near complete, and it was the year I met Jedidiah Harmon. He was my first love.
The railway construction had brought much needed jobs to our area. Lots of young men were hired on, including my three brothers Colt, Linc, and Dalt. Colt only worked for the railway while the tracks were being laid in this area. He had a new bride to be concerned about and didn’t want to venture far from home.
Eva fell in love with one of those young fellows, and they had gotten married. Dalt and Linc decided to stay working for the railway as the track construction headed westward. Dalt came home that year, but Linc eventually married a gal from Sudbury and stayed there to work in the mines.
With Dalt’s return, things ran smoother for Pa around the farm. Come August, everything was pretty much caught up. My folks thought that it would be a nice change to go into town to the big church picnic. We knew that Rose, Dawn, and Colt would all be there with their families. It would be a good chance to visit with them and to see some of our neighbours. That’s when I met Jed.
I can still close my eyes and see Jed holding the reins to that beautiful team of Clydesdales. That was the first time I set eyes on him. He and his family arrived just after us. Their neighbours had invited them so they could get to meet more of the other folks around. The minute I saw him I knew I was in love.
I was sixteen, and had finished school the previous year. I hadn’t given much thought to men or marriage yet. I really had no plans for my future at all. In those days there weren’t many jobs to be had, and continuation school (high school) was out of the question for me.
Colt, Rose, Dawn, and Eva were all married by this time. I had spent time with all of them when they needed help. It was usually when one of them had a new baby. Ma hoped that I would stay home for a few more years to give her and Pa a hand around the farm. The four youngest boys were at home to help Pa, but Ma was running shy on girls.
When I saw Jed that day, I knew he was the most handsome fellow I’d ever seen. He had blonde curly hair and bright blue eyes. He was about six feet tall and well-muscled. I just knew I had to find a way to get to know him.
I was a very shy young gal back then, and this was foreign territory for me. I wasn’t sure how to go about starting a conversation with a stranger. I was mulling it around in my head when Ma took me by the arm. She said that we should be polite and introduce ourselves to the Harmons. I’m sure she had seen the wistful look on my face when I had spotted Jed.
Well, that was how it all got started. We struck up a conversation and were enjoying each other’s company when Newt and one of his friends came over. They already knew Jed. They had met in town at the general store a few months previous. Well those boys got to talking, so I excused myself and went to visit with some of the others. I still remember how disappointed I felt when Newt came along and ended my visit with Jed. My heart just sank. I had no idea how I could let Jed know that I really liked him and wanted to see him again.
A good month went by after Jed and I’d met at the picnic before I saw him again. I wasn’t even sure if I’d made any sort of impression on him. I was sort of worried since I hadn’t heard from him. Then one Friday, out of the blue, Newt had some news for me. He had just come back from town. Seems Newt had run into Jed at the dairy when he was dropping off our cream. Newt knew I was sweet on Jed. He had been teasing me about it ever since the picnic. Anyway, Jed inquired about me to Newt, and that brother of mine told Jed to stop by to pay a visit to me. He had told Jed that I’d been just dying to see him again.
Well wouldn’t you know it, that evening after supper Jed did stop by to visit me. We sat out on the porch and talked, just trying to get to know each other some. He was such a soft-spoken gentle fellow. He wasn’t boastful or conceited. I knew that this was the one I wanted to marry. It had been love at first sight, for sure.
After that evening, Jed stopped around to visit on a regular basis. If there was a barn dance or house party going on, he’d come and pick me up. We soon became good dancing partners. Everyone was starting to talk about the great couple we made.
Jed and I had ideas, too. We were thinking about marriage. Pa got wind of it, though, and made a point of telling Jed I was too young. He advised Jed to stick to courting for another year. I had just turned seventeen by then. I think Ma and Pa were a little melancholy about letting their last daughter leave the nest. Back in those times lots of girls got married at sixteen or younger, so I didn’t find that a good reason to stay single. Jed really respected my folks, though, and he would never have gone against their wishes. We just had to wait for another year, but being so young and so much in love sure made it hard. Our adolescent bodies were deceiving us. We wanted to be doing things, more than holding hands and kissing. Sex was on our minds. It was a powerful temptation, but being farm-raised, we both knew where that could lead us. As Jed put it, “If we partake in the pleasures of the flesh and you get in the family way, it will ruin your reputation. Your pa will skin me alive!”
Now, books and Hollywood movies tend to present an image of women as being naive back then, especially where sex was involved, but that wasn’t always the tr
uth. Women used to talk about it when they were together at sewing or quilting bees. They were just very discreet and kept it in the right company. Mothers and sisters were very informative with each other as well, so I already knew about the sensual pleasures and pregnancy, of course. I had lots of information, just no experience.
Whenever Jed and I were together, we were both hornier than two barn cats in heat. I told Jed that if we were to partake in such activities, and I got pregnant, Pa would have to give in and let us get married. Jed thought that we should just bide our time and wait. I do remember several occasions though that Jed just about had a change of heart. Let’s just say things got a little overheated.
Jed decided to keep his head thinking straight. He figured he should get busy and build us a house. That would keep his mind off me somewhat. His parents wanted him to stay on their farm to help out after we were married, so Jed decided to build the house not far from theirs on the same property. For the rest of that winter, Jed was kept busy hauling out logs for our new home. By spring he had enough to get building. We had picked out a spot the previous fall. With the help of family and neighbours, the basement was dug and built. Soon the house started to take shape.
By summer the house was livable. Jed moved in and kept working on the finishing touches when he had time. He said he wanted things to be perfect for his new bride. I would be eighteen come January, and Jed and I would finally be able to make wedding plans. Ma and Pa were agreeable. They gave us their blessing. We decided on early April for a wedding date. I got busy and started working on my wedding gown. Jed and I were so excited that we could hardly contain ourselves. Anyway, we only had a few months left and we would be married. I would finally become Mrs. Jedidiah Harmon. The sound of that just made my heart sing.
That was such a happy time in my life. I was so giddy with excitement. Everything just seemed so perfect. All that I could think of was my new life with Jed. I had so many hopes and dreams. I was so anxious to move into our new house and add all the little touches to make it our home. I wanted a houseful of babies, a big garden like Ma had, and some chickens, of course. Nobody hereabouts had a white picket fence or I’m sure I would have wanted one of them, too, of course.
Looking back on all of it, I realize how young and naive I was. I thought I could handle anything life would bring with it. I was ready to take on the world. It surely is a good thing that I didn’t know what life had in store for me. Hindsight is twenty-twenty.”
let the wedding bells ring
“One day that I surely do remember well is August 4, 1914. That was the very day that England declared war on Germany, and World War I got underway. That event changed the course of my life, and life for so very many others, as well. It was said to be the war to end all wars, but of course we know it wasn’t.
There had been a lot of political unrest in Europe for months. Germany had already attacked Russia, France, and Belgium. We were still a part of the British Commonwealth in those early times, and the Canadian government was rallying for young men to join the army so troops could be sent to aid England. A large majority of Ontario’s settlers were from England or of British descent. They felt an obligation to help their motherland. Many still had relatives living in England. Thousands of young men answered to the call of duty.
News of the war came to us a few days later. The railway had become a great lifeline to us in the north. Mail and news got out to us in a timelier period than before. Our family, like many others, was greatly affected by the news. Pa still had many family members in England. So did Jed’s folks. The notion of a World War starting sent chills right into our bones and fear straight to our blood. What was to be the outcome?
War became the topic of discussion by everyone, everywhere. It became the main topic at everyone’s dinner table, including ours. Dalt and Newt talked about joining up right away, but Pa needed their help for harvest. Jed even discussed it with me on a few occasions. The thought of it paralyzed me. He had been working so hard on our house and helping his family on their farm that our time together had been limited. Jed and I were so much in love. I didn’t even want to consider the risk of losing him. We hadn’t even got married yet. Pa had asked that I wait till I was eighteen. That was only months away. We had set an April wedding date, and I was so longing for that day.
Jed’s parents were against his signing up. They rallied in his enthusiasm to support home and country, but they really relied on his help. He only had one brother, who was just a tiny tot, and six younger sisters. The girls helped as much as possible, but a grown son was really depended on in those times to help on the farm. I was glad to hear their discouraging words. I just prayed Jed would listen.
I tried not dwelling too much about all the news of the war. I found it really upsetting. Jed and I had our future to plan, and the thoughts of war brought so much uncertainty. By Christmas Jed had our home finished. He was working on some furnishings. He wanted everything ready for me to move in come April. I was kept busy making curtains and linens for our new home. I had already completed my wedding gown.
But the war continued on, and the news was dreadful. Any letters we got from family in England talked about all the upheaval and the young men they’d lost. Some of Jed’s cousins had been killed. A few of our young friends had already gone and enlisted. Those were trying times, indeed.
In January 1915, posters were put up in every town across Canada calling for more volunteers to enlist. There was a great need for reinforcements, and a government office was set up in town to sign up any men willing to join the cause. Many young men did just that. My brothers Dalt and Newt were among them. And so was Jed.
I remember the day the three of them came back from town and told us. I was busy in the kitchen helping Ma and didn’t see the cutter come up the driveway. Pa was working in the yard and the boys told him their news first. Then Pa brought them into the kitchen so they could share their news with us. They were all so excited. They wanted to be part of the war. They were being sent to Quebec in a month. From there they’d sail to England for training. They talked as if it would be a glorious adventure. They thought they would be back within the year. Newt said they’d be back before we would even have a chance to miss them. Ma and Pa were proud of their willingness to want to stand up to help support England, but they were full of worry.
I just stood there at first, listening to them talk. I couldn’t believe my ears. I was stunned. Then the magnitude of their news hit me. Tears stung my eyes and started to run down my face. I started to tremble and a pain gripped my chest. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I was shaking my head, and then I heard myself yelling, “No, no you can’t! You can’t be leaving! It isn’t true! It can’t be!” Then I turned and ran upstairs to my bedroom and flopped face down on my bed. My face was buried in my pillow and I sobbed uncontrollably. My heart pained so bad I thought it was going to break.
Ma came up and tried to console me, but I needed to be alone. She asked if I wanted to talk to Jed, but I just couldn’t face him. I needed time to think. My life was suddenly in turmoil, and I felt wounded. Everything had changed. All my hopes and dreams had been shattered.
I was just sick with worry. Jed and I hadn’t even gotten married, and he was going to be leaving. I felt like he had betrayed me and our love. I was so worried for all of them. I knew my heart would break if any of them were killed. Our life was in chaos. I remember feeling so helpless. I felt like my life was being lived without me. I had desperately tried to shut the war off in my mind. It wasn’t being fought on Canadian soil, so I had tried to pretend that it didn’t affect me. I was so wrong.
I guess that I was just living in denial. Each time I heard that someone I knew had enlisted, I wouldn’t allow myself to think that I’d never see them again. When Dalt or Newt had discussed enlisting, I shut them out. Our family had been untouched by death and heartache. Now the possibility was made imminent. The war was taking three men I loved away from home. The war did aff
ect me. It affected me beyond belief.
I refused to talk to anyone or leave my room that whole day. I just laid on my bed and cried and cried. I cried until no more tears would come. Then, I finally fell asleep. When I awoke the next morning my eyes were still sore and my head was pounding. It took me a minute to remember what had happened. When I did remember, I started crying again.
Of course, Ma heard me and came to my room. She embraced me so tight it almost hurt. She spoke to me in a soft and quiet tone. She said, “Savannah, you have to come to terms with all of this. The deed is done, and the boys are heading off to war. None of us like that fact, but we have to be supportive. They will be leaving within a month, and we need to spend that time enjoying their presence, not being angry and acting selfish. Jed will be dropping back around this morning, and I know that he wants to talk to you. Now pull yourself together and get dressed. We all need to be strong to get through all of this. We need to pull together, not push those we love so much away.” I realized then, that she was crying, too.
Well, Jed did drop by later that morning. When I saw his cutter coming up the driveway, I ran out to meet him. He saw me coming, stopped his horse, jumped off the cutter, and ran towards me with his arms stretched open. I ran into his welcoming arms and they enfolded me in such a loving and comforting embrace that I just melted. I felt the whole world disappear. All our problems suddenly vanished. In that moment, there was just the two of us, two young people so madly and passionately in love with each other. Nothing was ever going to change that.
I looked up at Jed’s face, and our eyes met. He smiled at me, and I saw love shining in his eyes. I pressed my lips to his. He responded with a deep passionate kiss that touched me to the depth of my soul. It was the type of kiss that you never want to end. A kiss that lingers on your lips long after the embrace is over. A kiss that leaves you yearning for more. A kiss that you never forget.
Three Score and Ten, What Then? Page 6
