Andrew, Sian and Lauren visit from the U.K. July 2009.

 

For quite a few of my growing up years I worked alongside my Dad, his brothers and my Grandfather on the family milk delivery round. When I left home and became a teacher, that was left behind. However, someone else came along to take my place on the van. His name was Andrew Jones, and he lived oppostie my parents' home in Wales. Andrew is about 15 years younger than me. He worked with my relatives for a good number of years. My father came to love him like a son and Andrew loved my father. Earlier this month, Andrew, who is now working with Barclays Bank in the UK, brought his wife Sian ad daughter Lauren to B.C. for a visit to the province. On one of their days, they took the time and trouble to rent a car and come and see us on Vancouver Island. They wouldn't stay with us or even have a meal with us. They "did not want to impose on us"...Andrew's words. Some imposition that would have been! Anyway, we had a marvellous couple of hours with them before they headed south on the island to see Victoria before heading back to Vancouver, and on to Toronto to complete their time in Canada. We enjoyed our time with them, and Andrew promised to come back again in the future and spend much longer on the island and with us. We look forward to that immensely. Blessings to all who read this.
Martin

Walking Group

 

This morning, Tuesday July 28-2009, was the first time I'd been able to join a walking group that's been going for quite a while now. The group is comprised of men who had something to do with the school system here in Comox Valley. Most of us have been long time friends and have known each othe for a very long time. Many of us have been involved with others in different venues such as recreational sports. All of us are retired and loving it. One of the many good things about this group is that it enables us to keep in touch with each other, to the degree that we wish to be involved. The group meets each weekday morning at 08:20 and begins the walk at 08:25. Following a quick route march around the Airport circuit here in the valley , we all head for coffee at one of the nearby coffeee places. A good social time follows and a lot of BS is in the air, that's for sure. I am going to get there each Tusday and Friday morning that I am able to do so. All the best to those who read this....Martin

David and Carol Mills. Visit: July 2009

 

The photo in this post is of our son Tim and our family friend David Mills of Duncan.

Our family has known David for well over 25 years. David used to be the parish priest on Cortes Island where he also drove the garbage pick up truck. When he attended clergy meetings in Victoria he would break his journey with us on his way down island and on the return. Sometime after we knew him, he became very ill and needed a heart transplant. He received that surgery 24 years ago, when he was in his fifties, and is now the oldest surviving heart recipient on Vancouver Island.

Our son Tim needed heart transplant surgery in 1999, so is approaching 10 years post transplant on July 31/Aug 01 of this year. (The surgery went through the midnight hour!). David was a mentor for Tim as Tim approached surgery, just as Tim has helped heart recipients after his surgery.

David and his wife Carol were passing through the valley and decided to stay with my wife and I for a night. We took them to Comox Lake where Tim, his wife Andi and two children Charlotte and Oliver were camping. It was a very pleasant re-union all round.

Many thanks to all in the Comox Valley, and to those world-wide who have signed up on organ donor registries. It's because of donors like you that David and Tim have been able to live normal lives and share moments such as this one.

Best wishes to all,
Martin