Time Well Spent

Breaking all records for publishers, 2015 was a windfall year for colouring enthusiasts. A healthy way to improve everything from sleep to writers block, the almighty crayon never saw such action.

I met Linda Kuno at the Cornwall Writers Group just before the pandemic hit and got to know her naked wit over sidelong glances at the boardroom table. The oldest of 9 children born to Charles McGillis and Mabel (Denneny), Linda grew up in a little farmhouse on the Avonmore Road.

Writing stories based on the mystery and nuances of country life, Linda drew us in to her mama’s overheated kitchen with its loud voices talking all at once, and plates overloaded with food.

In service to others most of her life, Mabel was a good hostess. She made little cakes and sandwiches for luncheons and was particular about her appearance. Managing on a meager budget, she sewed matching outfits for all her kids and created magic for them at Christmas; placing shiny papered presents under the big tree. Right up until the end, never a word left her mouth without thought or intent.

As a young man, Linda’s father kept a pact with himself to only marry at age 30. A hard worker; Charles was serious most of the time and sometimes cross. He used mantras and hardtack lessons to steady the course of his life. Working for Entwistle Construction, he had every tool known to mankind in his workshop. He liked to play baseball and tell stories and jokes.

Like most country kids, Linda was fearless. Helping her dad with chores: she worked the tractor (with only 10% nerves), ran the plow and mowed grass. When her mother became ill, Linda rebelled. Despite being the oldest, she could not bow to the pressure of responsibility placed on her. For a girl of 16 with no adult coping skills, Linda quit school and left home.

With just the clothes on her back, she walked along the #43 highway into Cornwall during a bad winter storm. In less than 30 minutes, frostbite covered her ears and cheeks.

In the years making peace with the past, the Lord blessed Linda with two healthy children: one of each.

Passing her wisdom onto the next generation; Linda is happy with what she has. This is not to say that losing items in her house does not still drive her crazy! As a girl riding the bus to school every day, she often joked with a friend how she would never date anyone from Chesterville. Linda would live to eat those words in 1990 when she began dating Howard Kuno who came from there.

In her soft-spoken way, she describes Howard as being a workaholic like her dad. A kindhearted gentleman to his mother and grandmother, he always made time to visit them on weekends. Finding a partner who also loved taking drives along the open road and stopping someplace for coffee, Linda found her soul mate. As her father often said, some things are worth waiting for.

In 2000, she began volunteering at the Salvation Army food bank and thrift store to spend time with her sister Sharlene, who was working there. It didn’t take long for Linda to find her groove. The atmosphere of people working together was infectious. Deciding to join the congregation, Linda learned what she was capable of through the support and guidance of the Pastor wives.

In time well spent, confidence changes lives. Celebrating 25 years of Volunteer service to this community, Linda has never accepted payment for doing God’s work. As her younger, fearless self grew to honour what came before, Linda believes that happiness is a state of mind, and that the world could do more with less. Just as Mabel produced wonders on Christmas morning, Linda works in the joy of helping others rebuild their own lives.

Always close, Linda and her siblings have travelled life’s winding road, in every way together. With an organized, fully-stocked craft room, she has it made. For a well-loved, beautiful friend whose love of sunflowers and birds flying has kept a body young, 2025 is a special time. Everyone has their people – even grandchildren.

In any direction or none, the yellow sunflower follows its owner anywhere ~ wouldn’t you?

Lisa Gray Copyright © March 2025