Great Aunt Leah was the sister of my Grandpa Harry Havelock Smith II. Uncle Frank Rogers was her true love. This is not overstated. Throughout my young life, Uncle Frank and Aunt Leah were a living example to me of the amazing capacity for love and romance between a man and a woman. They treated each other with such respect and tenderness. I felt some kind of assurance when I would see them out for a walk, hand in hand. This was not young love that I saw but a love that had been nurtured through the years of working together and raising a family.
Close to the time that I lost my first parents, Aunt Leah was my Sunday School teacher. She and another great aunt, Aunt Lucille were team teaching a large group of children. I am not sure just how old we were but I believe I was somewhere between the ages of five and seven. [See my blog post August 31, 2008] These two great women were touches of love and tenderness for me at a time when life was very rough. Aunt Leah had a deep and abiding testimony of the love of our Savior Jesus Christ. I trusted she knew the reality and power of his love for me. Having these great women as my teachers at such a difficult time is another evidence of the tender mercies of the Lord.
Uncle Frank and Aunt Leah owned and operated the Coutts grocery store located a short distance down the street from their home and next door to H.H. Smith Ltd. The Coutts Store was a happy place with only two short aisles as I remember. There was also the meat case, a refrigerator/freezer and a small counter with the old fashioned cash register.
For major shopping, we would travel to Lethbridge sixty-three miles to the north but day to day needs were purchased from our community store. People going in for a quick purchase often ended up staying a while to visit with those who happened to gather at any given time. One of the blessings of small town living in the fifties and sixties is that everyone knew everyone. I loved to go to the store and participate in the camaraderie that exists when people genuinely care for each other. I remember times of laughter and joy when people would discuss an upcoming activity or a recent shared time of fun. It was always good news when someone announced they were expecting or that a child had been born. I remember times of serious reflection when a family faced a hardship or someone died or some community decision needed to be made. My times in Uncle Frank and Aunt Leah's store were times of security for me. They were opportunities for me to comprehend the good in life. I also saw that disagreements could be discussed with respect for varying opinions and thought.
In junior high, I wrote a creative essay on "Gravy Train" a popular dog food of the time. It was recognized and posted along with other students' notable works in the window of Uncle Frank and Aunt Leah's store. When Collette and I would skate board at what we felt were crazy speeds down the hill, we ended at the store. Once my brother David lost control of his downhill ride and fell from his bike into the store window He suffered a serious injury to his cheek. Glass back then was not tempered and thankfully the nasty cut was all he suffered.
This picture was taken when I was five years old - 1957. The large building in the lower half of the picture is the back of Grandpa's Custom Brokerage business, H.H. Smith Ltd. and the building to the right is the Coutts Store. Center left in the picture is the old Port of Entry from Montana into Alberta or vice versa. To the right of that is Grandpa's warehouse where truckers could store goods waiting for clearance through customs.
Another blessing that comes from living in a small community is the sense that every one watches out for everyone. Uncle Frank and Aunt Leah always had their ears and eyes open. I wonder how many young people were shocked at what their parents found out? I love that this dear couple lovingly "informed" parents of possible concerns. Every mom and dad should have such a resource!
Late one night, Uncle Frank was making the short walk from his store to his home when he noticed a different car parked outside our house. The next day he investigated and when he found out whose car it was, he went straight to my parents and told them. They continued the investigation and found that while Collette and I had gone to the high school dance in the car driven by my brother Glenn, we had come home with a couple of boys one who was considered by anyone with an ounce of maturity to be not the kind of boy you would want your daughters to associate with. Of course at that time I could not see the need for concern. Time has a way of opening your eyes however and I am grateful for the watch care of a close community.
Uncle Frank also busted my brother Glenn for having a case of the "squares". What do you do if you're a young boy who wants to try out smoking and the only store in town is owned by your uncle? You have to take drastic action and sneak a pack of cigarettes from the store. Having taken some time to survey the set-up, Glenn tucked a pack into his pocket sure he would go unnoticed. (The bulge created by the pack was an obvious rectangle shape and Uncle Frank confronted Glenn with a "I see you've come down with a case of the squares. I'll never forget the family meeting where Glenn tearfully confessed his sin of stealing and we all forgave him. I am very happy to say, Glenn never did become a smoker.
Elementary school and junior high years were spent attending the Coutts Village School but as we approached Grade Ten, we prepared for the trip to Erle Rivers High in Milk River, twelve miles to the north. LDS students would rise extra early for car-pool to early morning seminary but our ride home was the Coutts Bus. One afternoon just a short distance out of Milk River, the bus began to slow. Ahead we saw a car swerve to the left to avoid something. Our bus driver began to veer to the left as well when to my horror I saw my dear Aunt Leah laying deathly still in the middle of the highway. Her car was off to the side, crashed into a small road post, driver door open. Our bus driver seemed not sure what to do and appeared to determine it was best to keep going. I yelled, "You stop this bus right now," and sank back into my seat, tears filling my eyes. That was all I could do. Some of the other kids quickly got off of the bus and began to see what they could do. They found she was alive but unconscious. Knowing a little about shock, we gathered up some of our coats to keep her warm and waited for help to arrive.
I do not know what caused the one car accident. And I seem to recall that Aunt Leah couldn't remember what had happened. Thankfully she recovered her injuries but it was a long and difficult recovery. Uncle Frank was very attentive. I remember her telling me how he would brush her hair for her. After being released from the hospital, Aunt Leah had on-going trouble with her right arm. Uncle Frank rigged a pulley to a doorway in their home so she could tie her wrist to a rope that went through the pulley and with her other hand pull to raise her injured arm in an attempt to strengthen the weakened muscles. This is what we knew as physical therapy in those days. Uncle Frank also made a visit to me to thank me for stopping the bus. This was another time when I saw the deep love he had for his dear wife.
Uncle Frank was a kind and gentle soul in whom I trusted. I remember his arm softly around my young shoulders as he would reassure or comfort me. When Claigh, baby Cameron and I were were living in Coutts for a short time in 1972, Uncle Frank called to schedule a visit with us. As I anticipated his visit, I was not sure what to make of it all. He came one evening and as we sat in our small living room, he told me he knew there were pieces to the puzzle of my life that I possibly wondered at and he wanted to fill in the blanks if I had any questions. The things Uncle Frank shared with me about my dad David's childhood helped clear up some of my confusion. Again I recognize the tender mercies of the Lord helping me through my Uncle Frank as I continued the work of forgiving my father for taking my mother from me and deserting me himself.
Each life that touches ours for goodReflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.
For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Saviors name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord above.
- Karen Lynn Davidson
Photo: Aunt Leah and Uncle Frank Rogers & Grandma Venice and Grandpa Harry Havelock Smith
1 comment:
Mom, I love you!
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