The voyage never ends

The Future Is In Our Past -

Some once said, 'once you have travelled the voyage never ends.' This is being written in Halifax, a place dear to me in my youth! But, Halifax is not so familiar now. The development bug has hit Halifax.

Still some things are about the same. Citadel Hill and Dalhousie University have undergone some changes, but remain cornerstones of the city landscape. It's comforting to see the students going about their daily business confirming that names and faces may change but life goes on.

It was touch and go whether my trip to Halifax, which was well planned and a long time in the making, would materialize. A few days before the departure date, the ash cloud from the volcano, with the unpronounceable name, headed directly for Newfoundland.

Flights were even cancelled, although it's suspected that fog was the real culprit. The ash cloud was headed our way so it was apropos to get in on the act methinks! Yet, for some reason, the possibility that the best-laid plans would be disrupted merely confirmed that planning anything could be a wasted effort.

As my mother used to say, "Come day; go day, God send Sunday!" The world will unfold, as it will. The volcano eruption is a testimony to that fact. As it happens the flight was on time and people were kind and the temperature in Halifax was 20 degrees upon arrival.

My seatmate was a lovely young lady going to a veterinary conference. She gave up her seat to a young man who wanted to sit with his girlfriend. Another young person stopped to ask me if I needed assistance because I opted to be the last one off the plane.

This seemed in stark contrast to the couple that caught my attention in a restaurant. The man asked the woman why she wanted an expensive ring. Without missing a beat, her exact words were: "Because when we break up, and we will, I want something I can sell." Is this the reality of present day couples? We have come a long way baby!

Speaking of coming a long way, during this two-week trip my plan is to visit Fisherman's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg, where I worked years ago. Being here brings back memories of more formal times, when hospitals were well respected and the people who worked there were considered special.

Being here also brings back memories of my being impressed with tulips in front of the hospital on my May birthday. That seemed amazing, at the time. Tulips were a new experience. It's hard to forget afternoon tea when the matron served cakes and tea in china cups, from a silver tea service.

It was a time when Nova Scotia was still reeling from the Spring Hill mining disaster. One of the workers had lost her father in the disaster, and there was a special camaraderie between people who were trying to help her cope with her loss. It reminds me of how bonded we all were after the Ocean Ranger disaster.

People in Lunenburg made a special effort to welcome strangers. There were many invitations to outings and picnics. It was a time when I learned to like, and eventually dislike, scallops. The hospital served some form of scallops, donated by fishermen, at every meal. How much do you want to bet that practice has been discontinued?

In Lunenburg, I played golf with clubs that were donated to the hospital. Everyone at the hospital was encouraged to play golf to interact with the community. My sporting skills would never put anyone to shame, but the social benefits derived from playing golf kept hospital workers in the community.

During that time, the politicians of the day would never dream to enter into a duelling match with the doctors, as Premier Danny Williams is doing. Still, there is no denying that many aspects of that period needed to change. Doctors and nurses had absolute power. Yet, we have probably gone too far with the decline in respect for what are the most challenging jobs on the planet.

Working with people is always difficult. But when the work is saving lives and keeping people healthy, there is no denying the stress factor. Hospital workers need to feel that they are appreciated. In Lunenburg, hospital workers were respected and appreciated and an integral part of the community.

If the respect is lacking, more money fills the gap. The Premier's attitude to the negotiating process is no doubt compounding the doctors' belief that they are overworked and underappreciated.

The last thing we need to do is go back. We do need to look at what attracts doctors and nurses to, and helps them stay in particular localities. The majority of personnel will say that money isn't the main factor. A good working and social environment will outclass money any day, even if one doesn't like scallops.

Being here is reminding me that we need to find that happy medium, where we remember the legendary power of love and acceptance to change bodies and minds that is built into folklore, common sense, and everyday experience.