Letter to the Editor

Thank you 

Dear Sioux Lookout. I’ve been home for about 5 months, the same time I was away at T Bay Regional and St Joe’s Rehab. I would need a whole Bulletin to thank everyone, but I’m going to try to let you know how much this community means to me.

I fell in love with Sioux in 1991, when Barry and I drove up from T Bay for my interview: Frog Rapids Camp gleaming, Pelican and Abram sparkling. Then the people I met that day! Sharron Davies, Wendy MacDonald and Maureen Rogers, so welcoming, letting me change in the library bathroom. Paul Brown, Steve Poling and Ron Skitch, teasing me like they’d always known me as I waited, nervously. Gary Sobchuk, Bev Hall and Don McPherson, interviewing me and then supporting me through those first years. Now, 2019, I’m overwhelmed by the interest, concern and love poured out on me and my family.

Thanks to Meno Ya Win and Ornge, who got me alive to T Bay even after I’d ‘Code Blued.’ Sioux Mountain and Sioux North staff for raising funds which really helped Barry on his 22 trips to see me. Friends helped my family by cooking, cleaning, dog sitting, gardening. Many, many encouraged me by visiting, sending cards and gifts, messaging, following progress through email updates, praying. Many thanks to KPDSB, under Sean Monteith; my staff, who had a meal train on the go and who have been so encouraging; my admin, Wayne Mercer, Jenn McMaster, Andy Schardt, for supporting me; and Sarah Flowers, for everything. I am very grateful to Lac Seul: former chief Clifford Bull and new chief Derek Maud, council, administration, and community for their concern for, and care of, Barry and me.

I’m so glad I was in T Bay. Barry, Jory and Cody, as well as friends and other family, had no problem taking me out, through all my stages from wheelchair to walker to canes. It was fun to run into many of you, especially students past and present, at the mall, the movies, the CLE. Now that I’m home, I’ve had lots of visitors. I am grateful for friends who don’t let me be alone for too long, and for those who drive me to appointments and events.

Every time I go out, I see someone I haven’t seen yet and love the hugs and stories. Sacred Heart held a mass and Father Mike prayed for me at children’s masses. St Andrew’s, St Mary’s, New Life, Cornerstone, all prayed. My pastor, Carter, of Calvary, held a special prayer meeting and organized a 24 hour prayer hotline! The stories that really grab my heart are those who say: ‘I’m not religious, but I felt I could tell Barry it was going to be alright,’ ‘You know I don’t believe like you, but I went to your church prayer meeting,’ ‘You know I don’t pray, but I prayed for you,’ ‘I had a dream you were walking toward me.’ Visit any time and we can talk about how God was speaking to you and working through you in my situation!

Loved you then, Sioux. Love you even more now! 

THANKS for everything, Kristin King