As we say hello to our new website kruzfm.ca today it reminds me of what I was doing exactly one year ago on this day. I remember the day because it was June 2nd and Jerry Mathers aka The Beaver was celebrating his 60th birthday. Where did the time go, it seemed just like
yesterday that Ward Cleaver was giving his youngest son the old "birds and the bees" sit down. Now the kid's in his 60's....Anyhow I happen to share Beav's birthday so that's why I remember the day better than most.
Anyhow back to my story, it was on the day last year I headed over to the old St. Joseph’s hospital site just 3 days before it was closing it's doors. I had been born there exactly 38 years earlier and now this near empty building would close for good as a hospital. Most services and staff had already moved over to the new site across town. The place was a ghost town pretty much and in more ways then one. Long time staffers told me that they often heard weird noises and a piano playing in the middle of the night on what was once the maternity ward. Spooky stuff for sure.
Even though I was there to do a few interviews on the hospital moving, I went for a tour down the hallways where I remember visiting so many relatives over the years. I'm pretty sure my family led the league in hip and knee replacements. It was a very eccentric feeling to say the least. So many people were treated in these rooms over the years, born there, died there and perhaps both. So many stories, so many memories and the doors were about to close. It was a sad day for anyone who worked or was a patient there at some point.
In the end I'm glad I had a chance to go for one final stroll of old St. Joe's and to do it on June 2nd was even more special and emotional. If only The Beaver was there with me it would have been an even better day....