Dad's Passing - More Reflections

Recently a distant cousin sent me family material and pictures related to my interest in genealogy, especially as per my North Yorkshire Riding roots. It made me think of my links through Dad to the past - and to that part of the family. Here's my letter of thanks:

Hi !

I don't think I've got back to you yet, and I really do apologize.

I have a bit of an excuse in that I've been away for a week in the United States at a seminar / consortium, related to my job. But the real upsetting thing (in more ways than one) has been the recent passing of my father - who was my link of course to all of this side of the family (in terms of the Pennock and other Yorkshire family connections).

It's been a long goodbye, as he had several brain bleeds which removed him from us gradually (as his mind went into senility) - from the father we have known and loved. He was 86 ready to go, 'knew the Lord' and as we sometimes say: 'you can't threaten Christians with Heaven!" -- so I'm both Happy and Sad that he has gone to be with His Saviour in the Bright Country. There are many there whom we 'have loved and lost awhile . . .'

I'm sad now not to be able to pass on to him new information of family records, pictures, etc., as I have gathered or received it, in these last months - and now forever. He and I travelled to Yorkshire in the early '90's and (beyond bonding in a new way) really loved seeing the land, meeting family and making new friends - in Suffolk (where Barbers come from and where I've traced back directly to 1434; but also in the NRY regions). His mother was born in Cowesby, the generations before that knew life in Bransdale, Farndale, Rudland Rigg, Danby, Egton, Egton Bridge, Huttons Ambo, Glaisdale, Farndale, Gillamoor, Harland Rigg and other places . . .

My wife Jane and I have visited the region several times too and seen the Limber Hill land and homes of the Pennocks. I am also connected in that area to Wilsons, Hoggarths, Woods, Lengs, Gatenbys and other families. My information in part is on my more 'personal' ancestry site at www.laurencebarber.ca

I'm so grateful for your keeping in touch, for the new and very helpful information sent and so graciously shared from time to time - and for these recent photos which are so very helpful. I've been in the very graveyard - in Egton, NRY, looking for and finding Wilsons - and didn't know Pennocks were buried there - or when there didn't know I was related to them, etc. So this is all very helpful.

Greetings to you all. It's a wonderful adventure to be journeying with you (sometimes into the past, as per this information) as well as into the future - as life goes on, and we continue to share this planet as contemporaries - and on the Journey of life.

All the best to you all. P -- again, thank you so very much !!