I sensed right away that he was nearby. This time I would talk to him but I felt overwhelmed with emotion and could only again, stare at him in awe. 

"Yes, little one, you were so true about my Melvina. She grieved painfully for the lost babe that the angels took from her. You see your grand mere had a strong connection to children as having young ones around her gave her life. She became radiant whenever a child was near her. She knew God had placed her on this earth to be a caregiver for the children. You would have loved to sit on her lap and have had her sing to you in that beautiful voice of hers.

Oh that women had such patience and understanding. There had been other babes that we laid to rest too soon in their little lives as well. In those times it was difficult for a newborn child to survive. We lost our Augustin Napoleon, Joseph Oscar, Andrew and my dear petite fee Clarence.

We almost lost your papa too, Mon Ti Chou. Oh yes, he had a guardian angel that boy. Our Bruno was born so tiny an infant we kept him in a shoe box and the doctor told us to give him an eye dropper of brandy to keep his wee heart working. Our other babies which passed away could not be buried on the church grounds because they had not been baptized prior to their passing so Melvina insisted that Bruno be baptized right away. Melvina was not well so I was given the task to have Bruno baptized. She wanted him to be baptized as Andrew Bruno Charles Dupont. What a mouthful for such a wee garcon. As I said, Melvina was not up from the birth yet so I was sent with baby in arm to see the priest at St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church. Of course, on the way I met my many friends who had to make a toast to my new born son. A small problem arose when after all these toasts, I finally stood in front of the priest and low and behold the only name I could recall was Bruno. So your poor papa was only baptized as Bruno Dupont but it has served him well all these years. My dear patient and understanding Melvina forgave me as she was just so thankful her little baby Bruno had been baptized."

"There had been many joyous moments in our life as well, little one", he said. 

"April 16, 1906, Melvina is a young and healthy 22 year old women. Into this world she would bring her son Joseph Lionel, a strong healthy boy. Clementine Victoria on November 29,1909, the apple of my eye, then Harry, February 28,1915 and your papa Bruno would follow February 1, 1917.

The children would spend their early years growing up close to both of our families. Living in Mattawa they were surrounded with family on both sides. My siblings were all living in the area as well. Their aunt would teach them about music and the basics of playing  the violin. Oh, in those days the families' farmhouses rang with lots of love, joy and laughter as we were so greatful to all be together.

St. Anne's Roman Catholic church in Mattaw gave them a strong faith and the  catholic school taught them the pleasures of knowing how to read and write.

In 1897 Louise Vanasse had married Leon Labelle and they too reside near our family. Of course the area was home to many Minor and Timmins cousins. There was such a strong family bond among the families. 

This strong family support was very important when in 1920 your great-grandfather, Melvina's father, Eusebe Minor passed away. As you mentioned previously in your story, Melvina's mother Josephine would continue to run the family farm for a time, but would eventually take her family to live with her brother in Sturgeon Falls......."

For quite some time we both sat and reflected how fragile life really is and in this moment it reminded me of the line from a popular soap opera..."Just like grains of sand through an hour glass, so are the days of our lives."

I looked up at this powerful giant of a man and do believe I saw a tear run down his cheek, just a small one but in its reflection I could see a life time of those whom we had loved and lost.

"Grandpa, would you like another cup of coffee?"..."No thanks, he said gently, it is time I move on. One never wants to wear out ones welcome, you know." 

He slowly came over to me. He towered above me like a huge oak tree and he bent down slowly and tenderly kissed me on the forehead... "That is from your Grand mere" he said. 

"I must leave you now , but keep on writing your story, little one," and as quickly as he had come into my life he was gone.