Love your Neighbor

A community had developed over time amongst the people in the Canoe Point area.  Friendships were forged that endured for years. My Grandmother, Renee, was fortunate enough to have a neighbor arrive that proved to be a long time companion and walking partner, Lea Berger. They shared their mutual passion of gardening, promoting exchanges of plants over the years.  Lea developed extensive gardens around her lovely home that was set deep into the bay that became known as "Berger Bay".  In the bay was another house that was once the apple packing plant that became the home of the Tapson-Jones.
Renee and Lea were the type of friends that connected almost daily. The essence of this friendship is captured in a letter written by Lea to Renee during one of Renee's trips to Switzerland; "I miss not having you here to discuss all the problems of the every day life. Our wonderful talks in the morning to sort of start the day off".
Berger Bay is beautifully sheltered and has what could almost be called sand. The Secwempec people had used the bay extensively over the years leaving behind a large collection of arrow heads and other reminders of their life there. Human remains were also found tucked into a corner of the bay that were identified as being a Secempec person.
I spent quite a bit of time with Lea over the years.  Her husband died while they were still living on the Shuswap and she perserved for a number of years alone in the house before eventually moving to Victoria.  Our relationship resumed once I moved to Victoria to go to University where we developed a habit of having lunch together once a week.
It is interesting that some houses seem to leave a virtual map in your head and that is the case with Lea's house for me.  I can recall with detail the entire home.  It had a very smart floor plan with a large entry way for wet shoes and coats.  The kitchen was generous with a dining area overlooking the lake.  Lea was an accomplished cook having worked as a chef in a lodge for many years. She made amazing strawberry shortcake.  I loved the charming sun room that gave way to the garden and a lovely view of the bay.  As children we played in the top floor of the house which was under the eaves and set up like a little apartment with a small sitting area.  The house had an outside bedroom which was the perfect place for Lea's nephew to stay.  Unfortunately the house was destroyed in the 1990s to make way for a modern house which was also white with a red roof, paying homage to the original home that stood there.

Lea Berger and Caroline Miege

Canoe Point was still a tight knit community at this time and would remain that way for many years. The road had opened up the Point to easier access to Salmon Arm but the neighbors still relied a lot in each other and were each other's main social contacts during the week.
There is no doubt it is important no matter where you live to be able to trust and call on your neighbor for help.  In an isolated area however it could save a life. There is still no fire service so if there is a house fire it would only be your neighbors that would be called to help.
I have never in my life living on the farm felt so isolated here as I do now.  I wish Mama Lea still lived next door......

The skeletons are coming out of the closet,
I saw one yesterday,
The entire cervical spine, the skull delicately attached.
There is no hiding the truth.
Bare bones remind us that life is short, time precious.
Clenching onto power, fear, all stripped away in the end.
We are all the same,
whether our bones are piled, burnt or buried.
So live carefully with your bones and skin,
wisdom, kindness.
Respect your neighbor,
'Do unto others as you would have others do unto you'
The Golden Rule,
guiding our lives, gently taking us home.