14 Comments
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Bob Chartier's avatar

It’s a treat to hear the responses to this story and the renewed commitments to pay attention as the patina of the elders slips away Thanks Greg

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Bob Chartier's avatar

Thanks Bill. If there could be one hope for this little project it would be that others might recognize their own stories in the ordinary. Also grateful for the substack platform that welcomes the ordinary with the special.

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Bob Chartier's avatar

Thank you for the support and good wishes...I need another coffee with Harry soon!

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Bob Chartier's avatar

Jim...you are absolutely doing the right (write?) thing. Your collaboration with your mother is something I want to read!

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Bob Chartier's avatar

thank you Sylvie for the encouragement because it is coming from another storyteller...your fine self!

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Greg Jonuk's avatar

I was equally young & stupid about history. I’m getting better. I’m making it a practice to ask my father about one of his relatives, each time we talk. And, on a recent trip to Slovenia I was able to visit a village where my great grandmother was from and learned she was an ethnic Serb.

Thanks your shared wisdom, Bob. We can all do better by being curious and gentle with old things.

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Lorraine Headrick's avatar

Harry is my Uncle! Thanks for telling a bit about his story. He has been a quiet hero preserving and bringing life to stories that need to be remembered not only for our own family tree but for Canada. I am so proud of all he has done.

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Bob Chartier's avatar

Thanks so much for reading the piece and for your response. It’s great to see a family proud of a relative who made their mark in public service. These days it’s getting harder for our society to see the importance and value in the work.

He is such an inspiration Even today he is deep in the thinking and research.

Thanks again

Bob

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William Irwin's avatar

A great story again, Bob. Like you, I waited too long to recognize the treasure of older folks and their stories. Unfortunately, the most of them have gone and now, we are, unbelievably, becoming that older generation. I hope more of us share their stories like you are doing, to give the younger generations an appreciation of how their world was built.

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Sylvie Lapointe's avatar

Love this story! You have always been a wonderful storyteller Bob!

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Grama B's avatar

Thanks for sharing this story Bob! Really enjoyed it:-) Love the joy in the photo of the 2 of you !

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Erica's avatar

The photo is priceless, and Harry looks like a youngster! Amazing how long curiosity and engagement will keep a body going. May he live another 20 or so. Thanks for the story, Bob.

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Erica's avatar

ALSO...being a cat LOVER, I loved the song. Just one suggestion: I wanted to hear a longer stretch of purring at the end. Warming and peaceful...makes me feel contented and like I want to get a 😸!!

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Jim Jensen's avatar

Great story Bob. Unfortunately too few realize the value of just listening, especially when elders speak. I just recently convinced my mother to write her memoirs. She is 91 and lived through the Nazi occupation of Denmark. She has some wondrous stories. Can’t wait.

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