THE CULMINATION OF A LIFELONG SEARCH
(January
8-20, 2003)
I had planned to write a
diary of my trip to be England to meet my newly discovered family, but soon
realized that I would be writing another book!
Instead I hope British Home Children researchers will settle for a photo
version summary of the remarkable experience of meeting people who once existed
as only names to me.
BALHAM
LONDON & CROYDON SURREY
SEVENOAKS
KENT & BILLERICAY ESSEX & UTTOEXETER STAFFORDSHIRE
HESTON
MIDDLESEX & BUCKLEY FLINTSHIRE WALES & LIVERPOOL LANCASHIRE
STREATHAM
CEMETERY SURREY & MITCHAM CEMETERY CROYDON SURREY
It was a truly amazing trip
that exceeded by far my minimal expectations.
I saw much more than I expected to see, visited more places than I had
planned, met wonderful people who welcomed me with open arms, and was
overwhelmed by my family’s kindness and generosity. Many Kind Strangers made the trip all the more joyful. When I met my Aunt, I felt I had brought a
bit of a brother home to his sister.
When I visited my Grandmother’s gravesite, I felt like brought a bit of
a son home to his Mother.
I left Calgary on Wednesday
January 8, 2003 expecting an 8-˝ hour flight to London. The plane was over Hudson Bay when the pilot
announced there was a medical emergency and would have to return to
Winnipeg. I arrived at Heathrow 18
hours after leaving Calgary. Two days
were flight days, so the next 10 days were a whirlwind, with an average of 3-5
hours per day in a car, train, or bus.
I did not get caught up on lost sleep and managed only 2-4 hours per
night. In Southern England, my
relatives thought I looked a little “knackered.” In Northern England, they said I looked a lot “shattered.” When I returned to Calgary, on Monday
January 20, I slept for 22 consecutive hours.
I would not have traded this remarkable experience for anything.
Best Wishes
Perry Snow, proud son of a
British Home Child