Waiting for Elizabeth, 1924: A childhood memoir by Velma Logan

A little girl and her cousin watch for the stork that will bring a new baby to their family.
Date: June, 1924 est.

Elizabeth (Betty) has been in my life for seventy-nine years. My story is how this came about.


My parents moved from Saskatchewan to Edmonton when I was three and one-half years old. We lived with my aunt on 95h Street overlooking the Dawson Hill, just south of Jasper Avenue. My cousin, Bob was two years older. We got along very well and into the usual childhood mischief, albeit not too drastic.


On this particular day in June, Bob was sent to the cellar to fetch something for his Mom. There was no wall switch, so one had to pull a string to turn on the light. Bob was very startled to see two, round, staring eyes shining in the dark! He ran up the stairs and screamed (with his lisp) "I hate catsth. The !@#$%+*(*and!!."


After he had calmed down we were banished from the house with orders to watch for the stork, which was to bring a new baby. Such excitement! Imagine being able to see this marvelous big bird we had heard so much about.


Our plan of action was that one would sit at the back door and the other at the front. You can imagine how boring it was to sit there with your eyes turned on the sky. We traded places a few times.


Eventually my aunt appeared to inform us that baby Elizabeth had arrived. Such devastation! We must have missed the bird when we changed places.


Weren't we naïve? If my great grandchildren were to read this, they would think their Nan was really dumb. The little people know all about the baby in Mummy's tummy.


Ah, sweet mystery of life, all solved by time. I don't have to wait for Elizabeth any more. She is always on time.