Carole

I should like to have presented this tribute at her memorial service, but those who know me realize that I would still have been blubbering my way through the second paragraph at around supper time, so it's better that I present my thoughts this way, so I can stop to sob whenever I want to do so!

1936•05•01—2008•08•06

Some wit has observed that the sign-posts of our lives are not of our choosing, and that the activities of this existence are encapsulated in the dash. As is often the case, Carole's dash is too short, but it is full and rich and deep. I am pleased to have been a part of her dash, and I cheerfully acknowledge that she is a significant part of mine.

Carole and I worked together in several of the interests of our lives, and I dwell on one of the significant collaborations which supported the development of my first school in Yellowknife, NJMacpherson Elementary School. Carole was a significant representative of the parents and the community of Frame Lake South, for whom the school was being developed to serve. I was designated to be the first principal. Our interests were thus joined in the design of as good a school as possible. I didn't know much about Educational Administration then, but I was blessed with some good instincts. Carole was a source of support and inspiration in the development of those instincts and in the enhancement of the plans for the school. We formed a formidable team, and were successful in making that school much more than the sum of its parts. Much to the superintendent's chagrin, we were able to bring about many changes that produced a more usable plant and a very successful school. It may be the closest example I will see of making something resembling a silk purse out of a sow's ear! The plans were inadequate; the resistance to change was incredible, but largely through the pressures we were able to exert, the school became what I still see as the best school I have had the privilege to be a part of. I went on to learn more things, and establish a grander and bigger school at Range Lake North, but better? I think not. Perhaps it is significant (and a testament to the efficacy of our partnership) that when it came time for staffing the new school, the superintendent refused to let Carole join me there.

Carole mentored me in ways of dealing with people as well as in music. She may not have been terribly successful in either field, but she was helpful! I mention her work on one particular song, as illustrative of her efforts. We both found great significance in a favourite hymn, Each Step I Take, and she vainly (so far as I know) tried to correct my singing of it! I would sing, "...and with his loving hand" and she would chortle (I recall no other person whom I would describe as 'chortling'—but sometimes when Carole found something amusing there would be that combination of chuckle, snort and laugh as she expostulated), "No, Bill, it's 'and with his loving hand'!" And I would confess that I couldn't hear the distinction. Again, I would have loved to have sung that for her at the memorial, but that would have only led to more blubbering! Anyway, without an audience, I have sung that for her a few times in the last week! It does express the faith we share.

I miss Carole very much. Her passing leaves a gap in my life, but she continues to be a significant part of my life, my dash!

Each step I take, the Saviour goes before me,
And with his loving hand, he leads the way;
And with each breath, I whisper, "I adore you."
Oh what joy to walk with him each day!

Each step I take, I know that he will guide me,
To higher ground, he ever leads me on.
Until some day, the last step will be taken,
Each step I take just leads me closer home.