Do unto others

Dear editor:
On April 1, 2000, I had the misfortune to lose my home and all the contents by fire. Not feeling up to it, I didn’t get back right away to salvage any keepsakes that may not have been too badly damaged.
I had keepsakes my mother brought to this country when she came here in 1912. I had wedding gifts since 1933, and many other gifts and keepsakes since then.
Over the years, we had made a home for many children, some at the request of the Children’s Aid Society and some for mothers who felt the need to work out. And many just came to spend the summer at the farm while school was out.
Two of the children were adopted out when a home was available. We took in three boys from one family. The five-year-old was adopted out but the 13- and 14-year-olds stayed with us some years after welfare care was discontinued when they reached 16.
One left home when he was 21 and the other when he was 25. They now reside in B.C., and still visit or phone me.
Two of the girls are in Victoria, and one at Seventy-Mile House. They still write and send me pictures. Several of them are closer to home.
For the two teenagers, we opened bank accounts and for the little ones we had piggy banks. When the three girls left, their banks were left so I told Brenda, if you come this way or I go out your way, I will be sure you get these banks.
However, the banks were lost in the fire and before I got there, someone had sifted through the ashes and got every coin.
Then there was a group of people kind enough to offer to clean up after the fire. I had a stationary engine by the garage and one of the men said he would like to have it. As he was good enough to help clean up, I told him to take it but before he got around to picking it up, someone else had taken it without even asking.
So in all honesty and respect, if anyone is unfortunate enough to have a loss like I did, please don’t rob them of any little things that may be left because I believe they have lost enough.
Remember, “Do as you would be done by” and “Honesty is the best policy.”
Sincerely,
Ina Wilson
P.S. When we took in children, we were paid 60¢ per day for each child.