The Bar

By Kathleen Hall

I pray that this book will, in some way, say thank you to you all, as youmy childrenmade our lives possible, and your sacrifices did not go unnoticed.

Love always.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524588328

Kathleen Hall

Dr. Kathleen Hall, internationally recognized lifestyle expert in stress and work-life balance, is the founder and CEO of The Stress Institute (www.stressinstitute.com ), Alter Your Life and The Mindful Living Network (www.mindfullivingtv.com ). Her advice has been featured on The Today Show, Anderson Cooper 360, Oprah & Friends, Martha Stewart Radio, and in Working Woman, Woman's Day, and Parade. She lives in Atlanta.

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Copyright © 2017 by Kathleen Hall.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 04/06/2017

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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CONTENTS

Chapter One

My Story—Kathleen Hall

Chapter Two

A New Beginning

Chapter Three

Canada Awaits

Chapter Four

Love At First Sight

Chapter Five

Surprise

Chapter Six

Answered Prayer

Chapter Seven

Moving Day

Chapter Eight

Retirement

Chapter Nine

Final Years

The Bar

Epilogue

My Story Phase 2

In memory of my beloved Roy and intended to be shared with our seven children in our forty-seven years of marriage: Bradley, Donna, Mathew, Kristine, Michael, Angela, and Andrew.

Many people held a special place in the hearts of Roy and mine, and I know they are not mentioned by name, so I would like to do this in order that you, my children, will not forget—and maybe realize how very lucky your dad and I were, to have such dear friends.

Uncle Ollie, friend since 1947;

Corrine and Bob, friends since 1947;

Mrs. Wellard, friend and neighbor since 1964;

Mr. and Mrs. Brown, friends since 1968;

Mr. and Mrs. Stevens;

Mr. and Mrs. J. Brown;

and Mr. and Mrs. W. Hamsey.

Then came the Schalamar years, and so many, but I can never forget.

Jim Grey, Wayne and Nancy Radtke, Jim and Arlene Braukmueller, Ray and Betty Fess, and all the Deverly gang.

I pray that this book will in some way say thank you to you all, as you my children made our lives possible, and your sacrifices did not go unnoticed.

Love always,

Mum

Chapter One

MY STORY—KATHLEEN HALL

Born of English parents during the height of the Second World War, and the youngest of three children, my life has been full of many life-changing experiences.

My father was a staunch Englishman, not big in stature, but with big ambitions of success for himself and his family. Although basically a very loving person, as a child I perceived him as rather untouchable, not given to bedtime stories, or quiet times on his lap. He was, however, determined to give all the material things life had to offer. His life was cut tragically short at the age of fifty-one by cancer. He never quite achieved his goals, nor did he witness the achievements and successes of his pride and joy, his son, our only brother.

Mother was a unique person, a strict disciplinary—which as a child I found was to be feared, but as an adult I now see that it built strength and respect. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was loved by many friends and, of course, her family. Her life, I am sure, was not easy, raising children during the war with all the hardships they were made to endure. However, it gave her a wonderful ability to adjust to circumstances she could not change and then somehow find humor in the situation, a gift she passed on to my sister and me.

Life in England was good—the war was over, we were surrounded by family, and from a child’s viewpoint, all seemed wonderful. Our daily life was shared with two pairs of special aunts and uncles, although our parents both came from families of seven children. One of these special couples lived just around the comer from us, their names Auntie Daisy and Uncle Cliff. Auntie Dais was my mother’s oldest sister, so to me she seemed more like a grandmother. I remember my most special times with her were when I could go on my own and have a tea party. She had this little blue wicker chair that I was allowed to sit in, and a special china cup was carefully taken out of the sideboard, a piece of furniture we were not allowed to touch. She would then pour the tea, and we would have a digestive cookie and listen to Mrs. Dale’s Diary on the radio. By today’s standards, this wouldn’t mean much, but to a little girl of seven, it was the most wonderful treat.

Uncle Cliff was a short little man who always walked around with a homemade cigarette stuck to his top lip. He had the most beautiful garden, and across the train tracks, he grew the best vegetables and strawberries. On Saturdays, my sister Molly and I would go with him to the allotment and help pick the peas and berries. I remember one Saturday in particular, we had worked very hard and were getting silly, when all of a sudden a look of horror came on Molly’s face. As she looked down on the ground, we realized she had stepped right into the basket of berries. Our punishment for such naughty behavior was to spend the afternoon in our bedroom