In Our Words Canadians Reading Together

Jill’s Quest

CLAUDETTE MCCALLUM

Jill was only four years old when her mother left. She then lived with her father, little brother and two older sisters. Jill had one memory of her mother, that never left her mind. The memory was of her mother getting Jill dressed to go on a trip but dad wouldn’t allow this, so mom left alone.

Ever since that day she never saw her mother again. Jill always wondered why her mom left and often wondered was it her fault. I guess I will never know she thought to herself.

Going to elementary school was kind of hard for Jill, because kids would say, you don’t have a mom, why? Jill would tell them “she left, but I have a dad he takes care of me.” Jill was mad at the mother she didn’t know, she wasn’t around to give her Mother’s Day cards to, and have her mother hug and kiss her when she needed it.

Every night Jill would pray, Dear God bless my family and, please bring my mom back because my brother, sisters, dad and I really need her here Amen! No matter how much Jill prayed her mother never came back.

Even though Jill didn’t have her mother she had a good life. There was a couple that lived across the street form Jill, their names were Marilyn and Brian they didn’t have any kids. Marilyn and Brian would invite Jill over a lot and spend time with her. They took her to the beach and other outings. Jill really liked spending time with Marilyn and Brian, they were very nice people. Jill was content with her life.