Aunt Flo is my mother’s “kid” sister and the remaining sibling of my late Grandfather Seyoma Morozoff’s family.
I have been treasuring this last Aunt with the intent of having her with me as long as possible.
My first memories include witnessing the joy that my mother experienced when receiving a letter from her sister. She would read it to me in my preschool years and then I would pretend to read the letter myself, going over the writings and repeating the words that I remembered my mother saying. Later, I was able to read myself.
There were enclosed pictures of the family as well as her brothers, Uncles Sam and Nick Morozoff with their families. I dreamed that someday I would travel to this distant place named Calgary to see them.
I had to wait until 1959 when I was offered a ride with Uncle Nick and his family from Trail, B.C., where I was working the Summer with brother Lawrence and Russel. Nick took me over to Bowness and I met Aunty Flo and my uncle Andy Markin in their home. There was an immediate welcome and I felt very much accepted with hospitality and my first “thrashing” in cribbage by Uncle Andy. We even went to see part of a Little League Baseball game where cousin Allan was pitching. I briefly met my other cousins, Diana, Jerry and Kathy.
The feeling of acceptance as an equal in my Aunt’s adult world was absolutely unforgettable by this teenager (me), who was very much a hayseed from the farm as compared to these “big city folks”. The yearning to see them again and again, was permanently encouraged and continued over the years. A genuine relationship was established to this day!
Aunt Flo made a continuing effort and encouraged all her family to accept each other as equals when it came to her love and the love for each other. During visits, just about everyone in her extended family would be mentioned; almost as if her intent was that all her loved ones would continue to know each other even if it was in conversation and / or recall.
In 1999, the official opening of Whatshan Lake Retreat took place with Aunt Flo and Uncle Andy travelling in their special truck camper. They fell in love with this project and place. So it followed with her encouragement of her family to make a weekend at Whatshan a “family reunion” for want of a better word. The occasion started with a yearly Music Festival and then became a Volunteer and Friends Weekend.
Aunty Flo reserved first two cabins and then found that three cabins and two RV Parking Spots were necessary to accommodate her “family” of twenty-two who became her “regulars”. They would socialize and cook together and participate in whatever events were scheduled that weekend that interested them.
Aunt Flo loved dancing, or “clogging” as she eventually termed it. And so, dance floors had to be constructed in front of the infamous Whatshan Stage.
Everyone looked forward to second weekend in July when just about any excuse was sufficient to make this pilgrimage to Whatshan with all the Alberta licence plates parked around cabins 6; 7 and 8. Soon it became inevitable that her son, Allan would fly his corporate plane to bring his wife Patricia and whosoever dared to travel with him and land on the nearby “Barnes Creek International Airport” (a nickname given to a grass landing field originally built by an enterprising Logging Contractor in the 1950’s).
Aunt Flo was an ardent Curling enthusiast and enjoyed the competition as well as the camaraderie that this sporting event was all part of. What I appreciated most was her ability to tell somewhat “off-color” jokes which she had mastered at the bonspiels that she had participated over the years in ladies curling as well as mixed events with Uncle Andy.
When Marilyn and I travelled to Calgary, the “Christie Park Hilton” was always available. Room 101 on the bottom floor had a commanding view of the lights of Calgary. Marilyn considered this privileged accommodation something very special and spent many nights just gazing out the window.
Of course, those breakfasts were unforgettable as we reminisced and recalled departed family members and then suddenly, the agenda for the day. “Will you take Uncle to the Recreation Centre while we go shopping” would be Aunt Flo’s question. “Remember that Uncle cannot drink alcohol” was the strict instruction.
So Uncle and I enjoyed the steam bath at the complex and then, of course, we had to go for lunch. “What is the point of having lunch without wine?” was Uncle Andy’s sly look at me. Yes, we did have two wines but it was our secret. (Aunt Flo, was not deceived as she knew)
It was a shocking surprise when Aunt Flo called to invite us on her 80th birthday present from son Allan. Marilyn and I were part of the party of eight that would travel together for twenty-one days to Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia in 2008.
What happened on the trip should stay on the trip but cousin Lloyd and I were the only males on the trip that seemed to be sacrificed” in each major city to challenge language, customs and direction to provide liquid refreshment for the ladies in the group that supposedly did not imbibe in alcohol.
When Lloyd and I returned, Aunt Flo’s room became the “Party Place”. Please do not ask me if Aunt Flo had a drink because I cannot tell a lie (A George Washington excuse).
The trip was definitely an experience difficult to duplicate as we all were amazed at our Aunt Flo leading the way to though all the churches, monasteries and Bazaars in this well planned tour by MIR.
There were many times that Aunt Flo shared very private life educational sessions, that were provided in the most sincerest intent that benefited those in that discussion. There is always much in a senior person’s knowledge that is usually difficult in conversation with a younger person.
I consider this a gift that I had with Aunt Flo!
Aunt Flo took a keen and serious interest in the Whatshan Lake project and its provision to become a health and wellness centre for all peoples whether capable of affording same or otherwise. The advice and financial support assisted and provided the impetus to the continued development to this day and far into the future.
Thank you Aunt Flo for being my Aunty.
1. July 16, 2015 in my Office at 145 – 4200 Grandview Drive, Castlegar, B.C. 1120 hours
August 11, 2015, blog approval by Aunt Flo
everigin said:
Hi Elmer
You made me cry … what a beautiful write up … how could I not love you and all your family God bless you all …I made a copy of it and put it in my Annie book ..
and Elmer make sure you book me my 3 cabins … I might not be there in body but I’m trying real hard for t he family to keep it up … as far as I’m concerned there is no other place as terrific as Whatshan …. many hugs auntie Flo
tonypryslak said:
Elmer: second try
When I first read this item on Aunt Flo, I missed the point that she has a connection with the Bownness area of Calgary. Son Michael and family live in this area and it amazes me of the community in the Community. Several years ago when son needed to replace the singles on the roof, the singles arrived, Dad contributed to this. On replacement day, eight niegbors showed up and by days end the job was done. Most of it payed for by numerous small jobs. Michael being an auto-body person had replaced ball joints, windshields, etc. There is no accurate tract of accounting.They just belong to “the Hood”. With names like Al, Big Al, Skinny, etc, who needs accounting. When the flood came several years ago, it was an amazing site. Homes that were not written-off were stripped, cleaned and ready for the reno guys, or done by similar niegbor bees. t was not New Orlean style.
If your Aunt Flo lived in Bownness, then I really appreciate her background and roots to charity and just plain niegborly. I can also understand why she put a limit on the number of beer and wine consummed.
Elmer; loved the real life story. and each time I go to spell check, I lose the connection; so take care.
Tony