Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.12.2008, Side 15

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Lögberg-Heimskringla • 15. desember 2008 • 15
independent people
A serendipitous
reunion indeed!
Josephine Anderson
We are all familiar with the word “serendipity,” but how many know it means finding something valuable that was not being sought?
In 1954, two young construction workers chanced to meet on
the rail line between Terrace and Kitimat, BC. One was a 23 year-
old dragline/shovel operator from Riverton, MB, named Beggie
Anderson. The other was an 18 year-old named Merle Hislop, who
was put to work as an oiler/labourer on the same crew. These two
young fellows worked (and played) together, and really enjoyed
each others’ company.
Beggie returned to Manitoba at Christmas time, met his future
wife, got married and never returned to BC. He never heard of
Merle again, even though he always remembered him and spoke
about the antics they shared.
Fast-forward to March of 2008. Beggie’s daughter Shianne and
her husband Carl went to San Francisco, California, stopping at
the Vancouver airport en route. While there, they bought a copy of
the Vancouver Sun. They carried this newspaper to San Francisco,
back to Vancouver, to their home in Winnipeg and finally out to Shi-
anne’s parents’ home in Arborg, Manitoba. While looking through
the social pages, Beggie’s wife Josephine noticed a picture and
announcement of Merle Hislop and his wife Pat celebrating their
50th wedding anniversary. She recognized the name. What was the
chance of that particular newspaper, after 54 years, arriving at the
Anderson home and helping connect these two friends again?
Because the write-up stated that the Hislops lived in Campbell
River, BC, their address was quickly found. The Andersons sent a
“voice from the past” letter, some pictures and an anniversary card
to Merle and Pat, and the correspondence began.
The rest of the story continued on September 22, 2008, when
Merle flew to Winnipeg and spent three days visiting Beggie and
seeing the “flat” countryside. They also visited John Rozecki in
Riverton, who had worked with them so long ago. They talked,
laughed and reminisced until their voices were hoarse. It was
amazing that their memories of one other were still so sharp.
The Andersons hope to visit Merle and Pat in the spring, and
the reminiscing will continue.
Everyone should be so lucky to reconnect with old friends, and
reunions like this should always be treasured. So always be pre-
pared to act on events that fate sends your way.
PHoToS CourTESy joSEPHinE anDErSon
Beggie Anderson and Merle Hislop raisin’ all kinds of heck back in 1954.
Beggie Anderson and Merle Hislop raisin’ even bigger heck today!
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