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Family Move

In 1967, Magog was no thriving town. Dad had lost his job due to the company’s closure so he accepted a transfer to Sudbury and our destiny took a turn. 

    I was nine and my family’s move affected me in so many ways. I was torn from my beloved grand-mother, my extended family, my little friends and a school where I excelled.  We even had to leave behind our piano. They were now all five hundred miles away. 

  Had we not moved, cousins would have invited me to many parties and weddings over the years. I would have participated in the daily lives of aunts and uncles. I would have had more role models. I would have had my choice of shoulders to cry on and sounding boards for life’s decisions. I’m sure that I would have married young, become a teacher and been blessed with many children.

    But from the perspective of my parents, moving was both scary and exciting. 

   Scary? Mom was only twenty-nine, with six young kids aged two to nine. My parents gave up the close-knit circle of family and friends to move to a tiny country house in dire need of fixing up. They would have to rough it out with less than the bare essentials, not even running water!

    Exciting? Yes, finally be free of a meddlesome overprotective mother-in-law, free from social obligations, commitments and rules. No longer having to keep up with the Jones, but about to live the Swiss family Robinson experience on their own terms. Overwhelmed no doubt with a new sense of adventure and freedom, but here was their opportunity to be creative, tackle challenges, build from the ground up, live off the land as best they could. They were truly masters of their own destiny.


.                                                                        flying solo
.                                                                        no safety net
.                                                                        doing it our way



AP: 1st place 2025, 3rd place 2021

Posted on August 20, 2021

Copyright © Line Gauthier | Year Posted 2021

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Kim Rodrigues Date: 8/21/2021 6:35:00 AM My parents moved from their family circle too. I was a shy kid. I probably could have used those role models and sounding boards. As a sixty year old I have them now as communication is much easier by cell phones. I appreciate those few willing to love me after my mom’s death. My dad did well leaving where he started in the foundation of I.B.M. before computer courses were a thing. Thanks for sharing your story, dear Line! <3 Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 8/21/2021 3:22:00 PM Uprooting a family is a big deal indeed. We're the people we are now because of our struggles ~

Mark Toney Date: 8/21/2021 5:37:00 AM I wonder where the old piano is now … Brilliant write, Line. Thanks for sharing. Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 8/21/2021 3:22:00 PM the piano was donated to a church ~

Gary Radice Date: 8/21/2021 1:32:00 AM There are reasons for sadness AND celebration in your Haibun Line. Your empathy for your parents' position is commendable but I read too about your own losses at such a young age. How you expressed these made for poignant reading. Cheers - Gary Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 8/21/2021 3:44:00 AM Thanks for your lovely visit and comment, Gary ~

Supraja Kannan Date: 8/20/2021 11:08:00 PM A great tribute to your family especially your parents who took a great prudential step in their life and I loved how you explained the story... " I would have had more role models", such a deep line... This reads like a winner to me... Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 8/21/2021 3:45:00 AM Thank you very much, Supraja ~