To my Salvation Army Friends

To all my Salvation Army friends.
I love you all so much. You have all touched my life in different but wonderful ways and the friends that I have made have lasted my lifespan. From the earliest days of Earlscourt Corp where I was born and part of the Nursery, to Sunday School, beginner band (taught by my very dear and very missed Uncle Art Dean. I still have my cornet which was already on the disabled list when he gave it to me at 7 yrs old!) and Singing Company....(I can’t tell you how many times Donna Colley poked me in the eye in the front row...I love you Donna!).

Many family friends: the Fosters, the Howells, the Sharps; the Legrows, the Watkinsons; the Chinnerys; the Mundys, Col and Mrs Barton; the Honeychurchs’ (the Col dedicated me), the Woods, the Courts, the Paileys, and mostly my dear cousins Kim and Jacqui, Dean and Aunt Marilyn (Laura wasn’t born yet) whom I have loved so much all my life and many, many more, too many to mention.

I also want to thank my wonderful parents who faithfully brought me up in the ways of the Lord; both are still serving Him. My Dad and Sue are still attending York Minster (old Earlscourt) and I love visiting when I can!

Then came my days at North York temple, where the very first friend I made was Margie Reid (only I’m allowed to call her that!). She grew to be my very best friend and to be such a blessing to my life (I think I love her most of all!). There was Beth Hammond and the really, really, really fat cat that we met when we billeted together one time, and I remember killing myself laughing, out on the dock at Jackson’s, when she told me of her favourite music groups, ‘The Smarties’ and “The Nylons!”

Lorraine Pearce with her electric shaver ( I will never tell!). Carol Thompson (I remember the beautiful tribute she gave to her dad on Father’s day one year). Susan and Lori, the Harneys, the Snells, the Burts, the Churchs’, the Carmichaels, the Rawlins’, the Curtis’, the Bonds (their first born child was really MY BABY!), the Sloans (will never forget their sex education classes! And I still make Jeanie’s ‘Bacon/Lentil Soup!’), the Knights (Eli who made the best roast beef on the planet!), the Pennys (Gwen, I don’t know how you ever put up with us in that singing group. We were sooo bad at listening. At any rate I love you for it. It made for some great memories!) the Ashes (Frances who gave me my first Mexican hot pepper....that was just mean!), those in the youth group, my Corp Cadet teacher; Charlie Ball (who told me he thought I was really smart. See, I don’t forget things like that!), the junior and senior band members and the songsters. Every night of my life for years, was spent at that church!
I remember babysitting in both the nursery and at the open air services at the mall: Ralph Fish, Chantel Burt, Sherri Church and her beautiful long hair, all three of the Ball girls, and so many more.)

Then there were my years at Jackson’s Point and as I remember them, the best times of my whole life were there. I would love so much to contact the Goobies again. If anyone knows their address I would so appreciate having it. (I love you Karen Thorburne....I sang at her wedding!)



Then of course there was my year at North Toronto where I had so many wonderful friends and where I was so proud to become a Senior Soldier in uniform. People such as: Deb Wilder (my other best friend that I love so much), the Reids (who were my second family,) Heather and Rhonda McMeechan, Sharon Watkins, Joany and Cathy Smith, Lynn Meekings, the McNeily’s, Isobel Wilson (who has made such an impact on my spiritual walk with the Lord over the years. And before you ask, “Yes, you too Mark”). Paul and Dave Wilson, the Roeds, the Birds, the Boltons, the McInnes’, the Carmichaels, the Slouses, the Gerrards, the Ratcliffs, the Coles, the Wagners, the Kerrs, Rick Cameron (my dentist for many years) and of course Sandra Cameron whom I grew up with in school, and I can’t forget her wonderful parents who taxied me around to and from church every week so I didn’t have to take the bus. (If I didn’t say it then, Mr Cameron, thank you so very much, and I’m glad you have finally joined the fb family!)

I can’t possibly mention all the Army people who have touched my life. You never know the impact you will make on someone. So, to all of you, mentioned or not, thank you for being part of what has helped to shape and mold me into the person I am today. The journey has been wonderful. I have been in ministry for 20 years, grateful to God for the opportunity to serve him; a seed that was planted from my earliest Army days. And although I’m not Army anymore, you will always feel like ‘home’ to me.
That saying still rings true “You can take the girl out of the Army but you can’t take the Army out of the girl!”

Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who have touched my life and given me memories that I will never forget. I miss you all so much.

Rhonda.
P.S  Somebody please do a reunion soon!.....and then don’t forget to invite me to it!!