Kennedy Collegiate Institute - Kencoll Yearbook (Windsor, Ontario Canada)

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THE KENCOLL 1957 Page 23 O O O A PRAYER ANSWERED Since the time when I was a very little girl, I had loved burses. I suppose that was natural enough since everyone in the valley where I lived owned them and I practically grew up on one. I always dreamed of owning a black Arabian colt, but to a family of moderate means, that dream was next to the impossible. However, I never thought of that. I just kept hoping that perhaps next Christmas or my next birthday would see that dream a reality ; but somehow it never did. Little did 1 realize then, what an important role that dream was to play in my later life. My story really begins on a dull wintry evening shortly after my sixteenth birthday. 1 was on my way home from my girl friend ' s and I remember that it was very cold and snowing heavily. The road was slippery and I had a difficult time walking. I tried to stay as close to the edge of the road as I could to keep out of the way of any chance vehicles. I shall never know what prompted me to turn around but when 1 did, a threatening, blurry shape was rushing towards me. I could see the dim glow of two headlights and tried to run. to set out of its path but the road was too slippery. Then I felt a sharp searing pain, like a thousand knives cutting into my back — then nothing. Quickly unconscious- ness engulfed me and I floated down. down. down, into its infinite, swirling depths. I opened my eyes slowly. Everything was so fog- gy. I tried to sit up but I couldn ' t move. My back and legs were numb. When my vision cleared some- what, 1 could see my doctor ' s face. Well, young lad , he said cheerfully, how are you feeling? 1 — 1 can ' t seem to move! I whispered and a note of hysteria crept into my voice. I can ' t move! Then I could say no more. The lump in my throat wouldn ' t let me speak. I could only stare blankly. 1 still couldn ' t think clearly. Somewhere, deep in my mind, instinct took control. I ' m paralyzed! That must be it ! I could feel the hot tears burning my eyelids till I could hold them back no longer. The days passed slowly, agonizingly — then weeks, then months. I was released from the hospital and sent home. The doctor ' s parting words still ring clearly in my memory. I have done all I can, Laurie. I ' m afraid you will never walk again ; but try to remember to keep your chin up and have courage. One year, then two and finally five years passed and faded into nothingness. I spent those years in a wheel chair and tried every day to exercise my legs. At times I thought they were becoming stron- ger, that some feeling, some life, was seeping back into them, but I guess that was only because I wanted so much to walk again and perhaps even ride. A month after my twenty-first birthday, my dad took me outside after our evening meal. The air was crisp and fresh. The last rays of the sun. streaked across the sky in a blaze of red and gold. I could hear the rushing water of the brook beyond the house and the crickets chirping noisily in the dew- sprinkled grass. My dad left me for a few moments but soon returned. Behind him, tugging defiantly on a rope — But no! no! Sure that could not be! Surely my sight must be failing — and yet! The two shadows stopped about ten feet away from me and then out of the deepening darkness my dad spoke. Laurie, this is your birthday present. It ' s a little late perhaps, but that couldn ' t be helped. He ' s com- pletely yours. His papers are made out in your name but there is one thug you must do. You must walk over here and get him. Surely dad, you are joking! You know that I can ' t walk ! I ' ve tried and tried, over and over again. Even the doctor assured me that I would never walk again. My words fell on deaf ears. He never said another word. He only waited. I knew that he wasn ' t joking with me and I remembered the doctor ' s words, Have courage. The words echoed and re-echoed in my mind and ruse, to a crescendo — Have cour- age ! 1 lave courage ! I ' h God, help me to have courage, help me to walk ! J gripped the arms of the wheel-chair and inched myself forward to the edge of the seat. The world stopped breathing. Slowly, ever so slowly, painfully, 1 began to raise myself. Pains, continuous, sharp, fleeting, rushed through my legs and along my back. I was standing! First one foot and then the other; First one foot and then the other! The words became an incessant chant. Step by step I moved forward in a trance. The muscles in my legs were screaming with the effort of every step and perspir- ation flowed freely from my forehead. My legs could hold me no longer but I had done it. Slowly 1 col- lapsed on my knees. The colt stuck his cold, wet nose in my face and the tears once more stained my cheeks. How strange that I had never fully realized it before. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away — and the Lord giveth. Second Prize | NY MARSHALL, 13A THE SIXTH CHRISTMAS This year, as every year, we children gathered about the fireplace while the Yule logs crackled on the open grate, and Grandfather told again the story of the Sixth Christmas, the same tale that his fathers before him had told. The story always ended the same way, but the in-between part was always a little different, for even he who had seen it was not sure of what had happened. Seventy years ago, the tale began, a little boy came to Britain, with his father, from his home in Normandy, after the Norman conquest. They settled in Land ' s End and erected a castle where the father housed his retainers and any friends who came along. (Continued on Page 25)

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Page 22 THE KENCOLL 1957 N (Qnvtn ' B llntorsttu at KINGSTON, ONTARIO FACULTY OF ARTS— Courses leading to the d gree of B.A. The offerings in the Faculty of Arts include courses in the Humanities (Language and Literature, Philosophy), the Social Sciences (psycholog} ' , Economics, Politics, History), Mathematics and Experimental Science (Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Biology, Physiology, Geological Science). FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCE— Courses leading to the degre of B.Sc. in Chemistry, Miner- alogy and Geology, Physics; and in Mining, Metallurgical, Chemical, Civil, Mechanical and Elec- trical Engineering. FACULTY OF MEDICINE— Courses leading to the degrees of M.D., CM. and M.Sc. (Med.); Diploma of Public Health and Diploma in Medical Radiology. SCHOOL OF NURSING— Courses leading to the degree of B.N.Sc. SCHOOL OF COMMERCE— Courses leading to the degree of B.Com, Combined Courses in Arts and Physical and Health Education leading to the B.A. B.P.H.E. degrees. GRADUATE COURSES in Arts and Science leading to the- degrees of M.A., M.Comm, M.Sc, and Ph.D. Write to The Registrar for ENTRANCE AND MATRICULATION SCHOLARSHIP BULLETIN A. G. McG dn Ue ltd. WELDED STEEL PRODUCTS and ORNAMENTAL RAILINGS Distinctive Apparel For Women 417 Ouellette Ave. Windsor, Ontario Compliments of Ken Wiley Pharmacy Dispensing Chemists 2300 Howard Ave. at Logan Phone CL 3-112 Compliments of SAMS DEPARTMENT STORE Ottawa Street Windsor, Ontario KRYK JEWELLERS Diamonds - Birthstone Rings Nationally Advertised Watches, Clocks Pen and Pencil Sets - Silverware Importers of English China and Crystal GIFTS FOR ALL OCCASIONS 1643 Ottawa Street Phone CL 3-6266 For Good Food It ' s NIAGARA RESTAURANT In The Heart of The City 89 London Street West Compliments of J. D. ROBERTSON Ottawa and Chilver Phone CL 4-6747 Compliments of Moodrey Coal Co. Ltd. FUEL OIL COAL COKE • CL 3-3536 1591 Langlois Ave. Windsor

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Page 24 THE KENCOLL 19S7 OTTAWA CANDID SHOTS