Ottawa Valley Visit

For almost 30 years I lived in the Valley. Although part of Ontario and Canada, it is sort of like Cape Breton. People there have their own language, especially sayings,  greetings which are mostly polite and a way of life unlike anywhere else. Most of the people I associated with during my stay there were newcomers to the valley but after you live there for many years, the folk accept you as one of them..

The purpose of my visit was to attend the funeral of a close friend, and when it comes to funerals, the valley people have the right idea. The time shared during the wake and before the funeral is all about the person who is being honoured, stories and myths. Lies and half truths abound but all in good fun. People mix and greet, and for most people it will be the first time they've seen one another since the last funeral - except for John and Joan who attend most every one.

In the few hours I met so many people for the first time since the last funeral that I began to feel at home again. We miss the valley for its beauty and quiet way of life but it is the people who make the Valley special. There are more characters there than nearly any place I know and they express themselves through their music, dancing and story telling. Politics and religion have played a big part of the valley lore and you have to be impressed with the Irish flavour of the area when it comes to Saint Patty's day.

My children grew up in the Valley and have a number of friends there still but everywhere you go you will find people who came from that area and they get together to talk of olden times back there. Theresa and I love our time shared with friends there and our only regret is we never seem to have enough  time to really visit.The short times we do stay there become precious memories and valuable experiences.