Comments on: Ashes in Canada

By: Kristen J

Kristen J — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 21:19:53 +0000

Lovely post. It was fun to try and picture the Hutterites and the parade and Magrath in my mind. Hopefully passing on experiences like this will help us keep a little bit of that sense of community with us.

By: Susan M

Susan M — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 23:40:01 +0000

Great post. My dad grew up in a small community (Skagit Valley) and I used to stay there during the summer with my grandparents. Everywhere we went, everyone knew my grandparents. Seems like every time we saw someone, my grandpa would later say, “That was one of your cousins.”

I live in Orange County now and this place is packed full of people. So many people that everyone who live in neighboring housing tracts all go to the same stores, restaurants, etc .It’s like living in a small town again–can’t go grocery shopping without seeing someone I know.

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 23:02:01 +0000

Actually, Dad, I DO have a similar experience to that every time I go home to visit (without the pain of having to bury my father, thank Heaven). While waiting at the desk to rent a car in Spokane, the man in line behind me says, “You’re not a Clifton, are you?” and proceeds to tell my husband all the marvelous things he has come to admire about his good friend, my dad.

The community we grew up in is a trifle bigger than quaint Magrath, but you’ve certainly etched a noble heritage for your descendants in your own neighborhood and on your own acre. Grandchildren already cherish memories of walking with Grandpa through his garden and orchard, and I presume they will pass on these experiences to their own children.

The Clifton legacy continues on and thrives. Thanks, Dad.

By: Bret

Bret — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 22:45:23 +0000

Way to stick it in our noses that YOU had this great experience and WE didn’t, Dad!!
Seriously though, I think you’re right. I was amazed to see a glimpse of that in one small street/block in my mission and realized how sad it is that we don’t really have that anymore.
Just one more reason to pray for the end to come asap!>:)

By: Kim Siever

Kim Siever — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 22:45:13 +0000

You came to southern Alberta and didn’t tell us? We could have had the first ever Canadian bloggersnacker.

By: J. Stapley

J. Stapley — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 22:44:39 +0000

Don, this was a great post. I loved the idea of going back to the homestead and finding people who knew ou grandad. More and more, I am aware of the price we pay for mobile success. This was a gift.

By: Angela

Angela — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 22:09:47 +0000

Thank you for sharing all the details of this wonderful trip. You wouldn’t normally go into such detail on the phone when I call…that’s mom’s job. So thanks for the great perspective, not just so everyone could have a glimpse at life back then, but so that a daughter could appreciate her great heritage as well. Also, I live in a small town now and hopefully I’ll get some of that feeling that you were talking about while we’re here. Thanx Dad!!

By: cantinflas

cantinflas — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 21:50:07 +0000

My mother’s family is from Magrath, and we have visited for Pioneer day. It’s a great experience.

I have seen some of the same community closeness you describe in this post.

If you want to get a real feel for what it was like homesteading there, though, go in the dead of winter, and remmeber how uncomfortable it is while running from the heated car to the heated house!