In 1964 minu abikaasa, 4-year-old son and I emigrated from Scotland to small town Ontario – Orillia, Stephen Leacock’s Mariposa. We were readily assimilated into the mainly white Caucasian population, many being second and third generation descendants of early settlers. It was an easy transition for us moving from one country to another. We were accepted and made welcome as there were several immigrant families from England and Scotland living there already along with a small, well established Italian community.

It was not the norm for aIl newcomers.

After spending a delightful day driving them through the Muskoka area, a relationship developed that has lasted to this day. We laugh about that outing now. Jong and me sitting in the back of the car with our two small children, smiling and nodding to each other and not understanding a word either of us was saying, our seven year old son sitting between the men acting as translator for Yong as my husband had a very strong Scottish accent and Yong could not understand some words.  From that day we became their Canadian family.

We have shared their sorrow when Sonny was killed playing street hockey, nende õnn, kui nende kolm tütart sündisid ja päeval nad said uhked Kanada kodanikud. Over the years our lives and those of our children have been enriched through this friendship and learning of another culture.

See oli meie õnn päev Jong ja Yong ütles jah, et juhtida. Little did we know it was the beginning of a long and mutually enriching journey together.

- Audrey Vancouveris