It was somewhat an exciting time in September, 2012 as my brother visited us here in Ontario, Canada (Toronto & also in Deep River ).
He arrived on Sunday 9 September 2012 and stayed a few days with his long time friend (Jayanti & his wife -Sushila) in Mississauga. He knows Jayanti since his childhood from Mombasa, Kenya. My brother Kanti is my eldest brother .
Unfortunately he lost his wife (Kanchan) suddenly about 2 1/2 months ago – after married to her for more than 40 years. This is quite a blow to him as they were good companions. Now he is left alone in Kenya in the big house on Wambugu Road in Nairobi.
This leaves him all alone in that big edifice -as most of us ( from the joint family members) moved overseas (over the years) including his two sons (Shammir & Nehul). However he is definitely fortunate that his only daughter (Bansri) remained in Nairobi along with her husband ( Ketan) and thus Kanti would have some support and family companionship available in Nairobi. He is also fortunate that he has two grandsons ( Bansri”™s sons) who are now somewhat grown-up. The eldest son ( Nikit ) who has now completed his University education in England is in Nairobi – working at his father”™s industry/business. The younger one (Akshay) is still continuing his studies in England but do go to Nairobi often enough to visit his parents, grandfather and others in the family.
Kanti is the eldest amongst us 4 brothers and 3 sisters. After Kanti is my brother Arwind – who unfortunately became a victim to a robber”™s bullet in his shop (store) on River Road in Nairobi, Kenya – a few years back . My younger brother, Suryakant, is now in UK – retired . My sister (Sarla) older than Suryakant is still in Nairobi, Kenya and thus would remain a source of support for Kanti when he goes back to Nairobi after his visit to London . The other two sisters (Ranjan & Daxa) younger than me are in UK .
Kanti”™s visit to Ontario was part of his visit overseas after losing his wife to sudden illness and thus needed some diversion to get over the grief. He is visiting his sons Shammir & Nehul and their families in London, UK.
Shammir and his wife Rina have two sons – (Ruan & Syan) . They are younger than pre-teens.
The visit of Kanti to Ontario coincided with
1) my illness – I lost my hearing in my right ear -with congestion behind both the ears and being a bit wobbly on the feet. The situation gone bad over last two months.
2) Further we were to go to Toronto at Sunir”™s place – to help them & support Shannon when Sunir was travelling to US on business (between 16 September & 21 September 2012) – for looking after Maya (our 1 year old granddaughter) in the morning & taking her & bringing her back from the Day Care facility . We travelled to Toronto from Deep River on Friday 14 September 2012 .
3) We also were needed to look after our grandchildren in Deep River – Sitara ( 5 year old) & Sachin ( 3 year old) -Nina/Sunjay”™s kids during the week from 24 September to 29 September 2012 – as Nina was to travel to Niagara falls (on business – attending a pharmacist conference) on Thursday night – 27 September 2012 . With all this happenings – we manage to spend an excellent time with Kanti.
Kanti came over to Sunir/Shannon”™s place on Saturday 15 September 2012 to spend a day with Sunir before he flew off to US. We brought him from Jayanti’s home in Mississauga. This visit resulted in Shannon being introduced to Kanti and vice versa but most important that Maya got familiar with her “Mota Bapuji” -(elder granduncle). During the day , Sunir & Kanti went out on a stroll to Loblaws on Yonge Street and separately he went with me to “Metro” Grocery Store and a stroll on Yonge street .
Doug – Shannon”™s dad came over in the afternoon for welcoming Kanti. All had great time until we took Kanti back to Jayanti”™s home late in the evening to spend few more days with his friend.
Then Kanti came over to Sunir/Shannon”™s place to stay over on Wednesday 19 September 2012.
He and Maya hit it off well together and in the morning Kanti joined us to take Maya to the Day Care facility and bring her back in the evening. As Sunir was not around, this allowed Shannon to pursue her work at her hospital without any concern .
On Thursday 20 September 2012 – just before lunch time I took Kanti to Yorkdale Plaza – this is one of the largest shopping plaza in Toronto ( & of course in Ontario) . Here he also saw the “Rain Forest” restaurant – which has ”˜jungle camouflage”™ with artificial animals ( elephants , monkeys etc) and live fishes in large glass tanks – for children to enjoy and get enchanted. After lunch, we also went back there with Jackie for shopping for grandkids”™ clothing etc.
In the evening Kathy and Doug ( Shannon”™s parents) came over to meet with Kanti . Kathy had not seen him before .
On Thursday evening Kanti & I took a ride on the Toronto subway from Lawrence W. station to Eglinton Station – to experience the Canadian underground railway and to know some other neighbourhood around Young Street.
On Friday 21 September 2012 – we (Jackie & myself) took Kanti for a view of the Niagara Falls . This became feasible as Shannon was only working till about 4.00 pm that day. Kanti had a great visit to Niagara Falls and watched water rushing down the falls from a nearby vantage point. He also got a run of the town & general ambiance. Of course he had been to NF earlier when he & his wife (Kanchan) had visited Canada in the late 90s.
While at NF, we visited our friend Shanti & his wife Kusum and their son Dinesh. These are our friends since we migrated to Canada in 1974 and settled in NF at that time .(Note: both our children – Nina & Sunir are born in NF) . Kusum had laid a sumptuous lunch for us and we had a great nostalgic visit and also for Kanti to socialise and get to know a bit more about the nuances of Jainism – from Shanti,
After our lunch we went to Niagara-on-the-Lake to visit Martha & Genero – our friends of many years. Along the way, we stopped over at the Floral Clock and took a tour of the scenic route along the Niagara River. We also stopped a Winery shop and bought some local Maple Syrup. We refrained to buy local wine at this time. Our visit to Martha /Genero as usual was very touching . Kanti also got to know them . After the visit we returned back to Toronto and had some time to play with Maya before she went for her sleep.
We travelled to Deep River on Saturday 22 September 2012 and on the way we stopped at Cookstown (on Hwy 400) shopping mall. This is an industrial outlet for many manufacturers. We looked over specialist shops for a pizza cutter- that Kanti was looking for a special type of pizza cutter (for Sharmi) but we did not come across the type that he was looking for. However he already had bought one in Toronto – normal type that most people use.
However, Kanti did buy a pair of shoes for himself at the Cookstown mall.
After that we stopped over at Mattawa and met one of the Indian (Gujarati Patel) immigrant to Canada – who has a franchise ” Subway” restaurant . Narayan bought this franchise (in partnership with one of his friends) a couple of years ago from a lady (again a Patel)- unfortunately her husband who was running the franchise got killed in road accident and then running a franchise like this was a big responsibility . So she sold out. However, Narayan and his partner friend did not quite make it out together. recently he sold the franchise to another Patel and he is just working there now to help the new owner and remain in Mattawa for about a couple of years until his daughter completes her high school education.
After Mattawa we came to Mackey and there we exited to go to Nina/Sunjay”™s home . Sunjay had prepared a nice dinner for us – Nina was working this day but later she was home for the dinner. Both Sitara & Sachin were excited to meet & know “Mota Nana” (elder Granduncle) . They really enjoyed playing and be with Kanti. Of Course, in the beginning they were a bit shy but once ice was broken – they would want to play again and again with Mota Nana .
After the most enjoyable dinner, we drove to Deep River and to gain rest for the night.
Sunday 23 September 2012
Nina, Sunjay & kids (Sitara & Sachin) came over (from their home in Mackey- which is some 26 minutes from Deep River by car) at lunch time to spend time with ” Mota Nana” – that is my brother. I am kids “nana” and Jackie is their “nani”. This is our Gujarati way of addressing the maternal grandparents.
After lunch – the kids had a great time playing with the adults and on their own but more so with their ” Mota Nana”. Sitara played on the lap top (her kids PBS program & games) while her Mota Nana and Nana played bridge (card game) on the main computer . Kanti got to know about this venue of entertainment and also to be his brother doing some activity . This did help him to deflect from grief – at least momentarily.
Kanti also spent time with Jackie & Pravin discussing and telling about our great grandfather”™s (Depar”™s) migration to Kenya – a few years after our grandfather (Dharamshi) migrated around 1910 and set up a shop (store) in Ruiru , Kenya – a bit upstream (north) of Nairobi. More history was spelled out – describing the events and migration for our family from Ruiru to Mombasa & then to Nairobi where the family ultimately moved around 1957.
Later in the day, all went out walking in the neighbourhood and kids on their three-wheelers. All had great dinner together and much later around 10.00 pm kids & their parents went to Mackey’ ‘ Kanti after playing few bridge games on computer also went to sleep.
On Monday 24 September 2012 – after breakfast – Kanti went to town ( actually Deep River is very small town) but Kanti went with his brother for the drive & saw where Nina works and also where Sunjay works. They drove to the edge of town – to the fenced boundary of the big employer (AECL) in the area. On the way he saw the Deep River Hospital and also the log cabin (which used to be antique store – from where Pravin/Jackie had bought a 200yr old solid Mahogany Chippendale dining table with “shield-back” chairs in 1986 – (when moving to Deep River from Mississauga). Kanti also went to Deep River marina (situated on the Ottawa River) and saw the lighthouse ( not operating now as new technology has taken over to guide the boat traffic on the Ottawa River).
At home he looked at the paintings of both the lighthouse and the loghouse that Jackie has painted many years ago.
Kids came home with Sunjay in the evening after school time and had dinner together. They went home to Mackey about 8.30 pm.
However Nina came over after 9.00 pm (her work finishes at that time) and had great “pow-wow ” with her uncle till almost mid-night.
On Tuesday Kanti joined the kids (& Nina, nana & nani) to Sachin”™s music class in Petawawa (located at the Petawawa Civic Centre) . Sitara also joined in – skipping her KG class at McKenzie Community School building in Deep River – and she participated in the music class. The 3 adult onlookers also joined in some activities. Kanti had a great run of some musical activities – enjoying with all the kids in the class. After the music class – all went to the children’s park – just there outside on the grounds. Kids had a great time on the swings and slides . Kanti and other adults also had try out at swings etc – just having a carefree fun time with family together.
After the fun and frolic at the playground – all retired ( by car of course) to McDonald”™s for lunch. After that we came home to rest a bit before dinner – at that time Sunjay joined the dinner – having come from his work. They remained till late before going to Mackey.
Notes:
1) Nina does not work on Tuesdays and Thursdays but other weekdays she works till 9.00 pm.
2) The fall (autumnal) colours – plant leaves turning colours – all yellow, red and mixed – are fabulous . Kanti had a view of this “change of colours “.
3) Kanti enjoys playing bridge (card game) on the computer and he has already mastered the use of both the computers (laptop and desktop) . He is no doubt a very good bridge player . He has the ability to figure out who has got which cards and plays accordingly. He has a sharp mind.
On Wednesday 26 September 2012 , Kanti joined us to Ottawa. Jackie had an appointment with an “arthritis specialist” at the Ottawa Hospital. So all of us ( 3 – myself, Jackie and Kanti) went to Ottawa . After the hospital visit – we went to the city (downtown) – saw the Parliament Building and the Hill , saw Rideau Canal , Fairmont Chateau Laurier – where we stopped for a “pit-stop” and then Rideau Mall – it was kind of empty in the evening – as most people from the city had gone to their homes in suburbs . We also had a stroll at the Byward Market and then we drove back to Deep River . We were back at about 8.00 pm and soon after that Nina came over for her usual “pow-wow” with her uncle.
On Thursday 27 September, Kanti joined Pravin to go to Pembroke – which is a larger town near to Deep River where most big stores are located . Pravin had an appointment with an Otologist (an ear doctor) – who really could not help much except to say that this type of condition (losing hearing suddenly) occurs to 3 to 4 people in year and it is due to sensory neural problem. There is no solution except to wait out and see over the months if it gets healed.
Kanti saw Pembroke – had a ride around in the car , and some visits to its malls and large stores like Walmart. He also noted the unique “wall murals” – for which Pembroke is famous for. We retuned back to Deep River for lunch and then Kanti to spend time with the kids and Nina and family.
In the evening, Kanti joined the kids & Sunjay & their nani to their swimming class at McKenzie Swimming Pool. Their nana stayed behind at home.
Nina had made copies of memory photos for Kanti to carry to London/Nairobi – to remember his visit to family out here in Ontario/Canada.
That night Nina went to Niagara Falls for a Pharmacist Conference – taking late night plane from North Bay. That day Sachin spent night at Deep River.
On Friday, time was spent in Deep River – driving out to see Lemure Beach and other places of interest in Deep River and then playing with the kids and chit-chat with family and for sometime to play bridge on the computer.
On Saturday (29 September 2012) – the kids had a gymnastic class in Petawawa. So all joined in and went with them. Petawawa is a military town (towards Ottawa) and it takes about 20 minutes by car to go there. Kanti got a glimpse of military facilities and he noted how freer it is here in Canada. After the gym class – all went to Military Museum ( after picking up lunch from McDonald’s for picnic) and had picnic there prior to going inside to view the exhibits. There were exhibits outside too – trucks, planes , tanks etc.
On Sunday 30 September 2012 – this was the last day in Ontario, Canada – we had a long drive to Toronto ( some 6 hours of drive) and to Pearson Airport ( Terminal 3) . We left Deep River at 10.00 a.m – stopped over about half way out on Hwy 11 at a Tourist Info Centre (Rest House) and had a picnic lunch. After that the drive was steady- stopping over for pit stops and filling gas en route. We arrived at the Terminal 3 of the Pearson Airport at about 5.30 pm – at that time the checking desk was open . He got checked in and got airport assistance (wheel chair) to go in to the gate. The check-in was a cinch – no problem and the assisting lady was there to take Kanti inside.
That day Nina was returning from Niagara Falls and catching a plane from Terminal 1 (Pearson Airport). She could have met Kanti but it was not to be as it was felt prudent that Kanti better be inside near the gate rather than wondering out for long.
So that was the visit by Kanti – with very many good memories . The kids really were very excitedand became fond of him . Sitara would note that we have a visitor and Sachin would ask (often times) where is your brother – if he does not see Kanti (Mota Nana) around.
Kanti had a relaxed time and always was part of all the family activities along with having opportunity to see some parts of Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa (Parliament Hill) ,North Bay, Pembroke, Mattawa ,Nina/Sunjay home, Sunir/Shannon Home, many of Pravin/Jackie”™s good friends – fall colours and Ontario Highways and great distances .
By Pravin Shah ( 15 October 2012)