Spotlight on Christine Johnson After coming to Canada from Scotland, where I got my BA degree and teacher training, I worked in secondary education for 35 years, including studying for my MA at SFU, working for a year in teacher education at SFU, going into Admin and retiring from Delta School District. (Christine still has her wonderful Scottish brogue, and her French, which she taught for many years is fabulously articulate and refined. Madame Johnson has many hilarious stories to share about teenage hijinks.)
Retirement has been good to me in so many ways. I’ve travelled far and wide. My favourites being Vietnam and The Arctic. I visited the Arctic on an Expedition trip in 2018 (just in time) and one of my favourite memories involves following the Terry Fox Icebreaker for over an hour to escape all the icebergs floating in the water.
The ability to spend time in the company of my grandchildren – two boys – has been wonderful. One to recently have seen one on the front page of the UK Guardian newspaper Photography section taking part in an obstacle course at The Royal Military College. It was a treat. I do also look up to my 6’6” sixteen-year-old grandson when carrying on a conversation. And yes, he’s on two different basketball teams. Spending time with friends is a must and now I can certainly do that. (You’ll often find Christine walking very early in the morning with those friends. Her two feline companions serve as reliable alarm clocks that just won’t let her sleep in!)
Volunteering for the SPCA and then VOKRA (Van. Orphan Kitten Rescue Assoc.) was great and, of course, the Pandemic interrupted that. Volunteering with the BCRPVPA is a definite highlight and you, too, are invited to join us. The people are wonderful and it is a true community!
(Find out more at your local shelter or through Volunteer – BC SPCA)
By Christine Johnson, additional comments by Marsha Arnold
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