Chapter 1 - Winnipeg
The first leg of our journey is Winnipeg. We are about to share with 120 people the 10 year Memorial of our Son, David, who left us on July 31st, 1992 …at such a young age of 14. This trip to Ukraine should have included him, which it did in a way. I guess you could say I brought his spirit with me. All those years of him growing up, telling him that we would one day, as a family make that long journey over the water to see his cousins and the towns of his Great Great Grandparents. I always wanted for my children, what I did not have, which was to read and speak Ukrainian. David was fluent in Ukrainian and French… We taught him the customs and traditions of our Ukrainian heritage. We are a proud people. Thanks to my Baba Maria Konowalczuk, and my Father in Law Michael Hrynenko, for without them I would not have learned how to become a good strong Ukrainian and keeping my faith as a Ukrainian Catholic…
The first night in Winnipeg, I lay awake thinking about the trip to Ukraine. Will I be able to cope with the language? The food, no problem, that should be easy… What will my feelings be when I see the towns for the first time, visiting the cemeteries? Say hello, bring flowers, pray. Many people on the genealogy list stated that they are a mess! Would I want to clean my g-g grandparent’s grave, will I be able to find them?? My mind was swirling with thoughts.. It's 3 am; the breeze was hot as I listened to the clatter sound of the leaves of the Poplars, a sound you do not hear in British Columbia. Giddo Konowalczuk always said how he loved the sound of the winds blowing between the leaves… Hey, something that we both love…
August 8, here we are at the Winnipeg Airport, nothing has changed. Boy do they need to update this airport! yuck … Air Canada attendant questioning who was on flight 1172 that's US. Why? Oh no… MISS THE FLIGHT TO TORONTO??? Arrive 3 hours early... WHAT !! NEED TO RUN. FRANKFURT HERE WE COME … WHEEEEEE … WERE OFF !!!!!!!!! The flight was a 747 double decker Air Canada, which we boarded with about 70 German teenagers, they were in Toronto for the Pontiff's mass, and the kids were great! Mind you there were the few in front of us that seemed to like their beer & gin. Sleep? Why would they want to sleep… Ahhhh, I was young and foolish once.. hummmm? still am…
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