I would like you all to imagine
what it is like to have Keith as a big brother!
My sister Jean and I have the distinct honour of this, and I wouldn't
change it for the world! He has always
loved me, challenged me, even annoyed me, and definitely amused me. I am the kid sister, 8 years younger than Keith. Legend has it that he cried the day he came
home from school and found out he had yet another sister, and not a
brother! Too bad I'd say, but he got
over it and he never personally let me
know that he would have traded me in for a brother!
One of my early memories was
listening to Keith practice the piano.
He was unlike other kids, he actually always loved to play and I loved
to listen to him play. My whole family
actually played the piano, some better than others. Our dad loved to play hymn tunes on Sundays,
although his talents were definitely not in music. All three of us kids took piano lessons. Mom and Keith, both of whom had perfect
pitch, would sit down and play duets.
March Militaire is one I'll remember.
Our house was filled with music, if it wasn't the piano, it was CBC
radio, a habit I still have to date.
The other memory that stands out is Saturday
night hockey. It was the one evening we
would often sit down together and watch the Maple Leafs play on our black and
white TV. TV was a new thing, and this
was a highlight of the week for many Canadians. Keith always took time for me
and made me feel special indeed when I was little. When I see him with his grandchildren I am
reminded of this gentle nature. He
believed in me and made me believe in myself.
As I was growing up, I have fond memories of
Keith breezing in and out with a pack of guys.
There was never a dull moment when he was around! There were a lot of sleepless nights for my
dad when he took the family car and with good reason. Trips up to Jackson's Point were an adventure
with Keith and the destination on hot summer days. Keith easily excelled at school with little
effort, much to his teachers' chagrin.
He shone at math especially.
He played in a Salvation Army
band and also was in a hockey league. I
liked to go to the late night games and watch him and his buddies play. After high school he studied to be an
accountant, which was far too tame for a spirited person like my brother, so
computers became the name of the game. Of course his music has been a constant
in his life. I am always amazed at how he has thrown himself into his life with
no hesitation, no fear, and tons of energy.
Keith met Ruth when he was in his
early twenties. Ruth is a big favorite
in our family and it was a very special and important day when they were
married. She is my much beloved other
sister and has always been there for Keith.
Shortly after the wedding, I was ready to go to university and they were
living in an apartment nearby. I was
very lucky to board with them for my first year. I was spreading my wings in every way and
they were there to encourage me and try to guide me, and guidance I needed!
I laughingly always say that was an
important year because my brother taught me to do two important things; drink
wine, and play bridge! These two things
have stood me in good stead throughout my life, as has the music degree that
they played a role in me completing.
After one year of me in the guest room, they were driven to leave the
country, and that's when they left on their grand adventure to Africa and
changed their lives, and our lives back home.
We were all very disappointed that they didn't return to Canada, but
after my several trips to South Africa, I fully understand how the beauty and
opportunities of this amazing country grabbed them and kept them.
Many years passed when there was
no internet and only infrequent correspondence between our homes. Mom and dad visited South Africa several
times and came back from these trips full of stories of this wonderful family
as Kevin, Sam,and Niki came along. They
loved to visit and were treated very well by Keith and Ruth, and all of their
friends. This was the most news I had of
life in South Africa for probably 20 years or more. The family did visit Canada once or twice and
Keith has made trips to be there for us and make hard decisions on behalf of my
parents when the time came in their lives.
I have always been able to count on him, despite the global distance
between us. I have asked for and taken
his advice and counted on his pragmatic nature to give me perspective in
difficult times.
My own visits to South Africa
have been pivotal times for me, especially my most recent visit in May this
year. It was a time to reflect and renew this important connection with my big
brother. It was also an important time
to look to the future, the legacy Keith is leaving with Ruth and the wonderful,
large and loving family that I am so privileged to call my own. Much of my heart remains in Cape Town and
with the legend that is my brother Keith.
No comments:
Post a Comment