Jocelain Hitchcox:  

Well, for those of you who think you may remember me, I have to explain that I changed my name a few years ago. I went from Barbara-Jo Stuart to Jocelain B. Hitchcox. I had never really "felt" like it suited me, and as I got older this feeling increased. I lived with every possible variation of the old name, lastly Jo; it never felt right. When my Dad had his 85th birthday, he declared that his one regret in life had been that he had never changed his name (Clarence Melvin Stuart, who can blame him?). I decided that was the green light I was waiting for, and went through a lengthy careful process to change mine. I don't explain this to everyone I know, but those who have a history with me may appreciate some insight. That said, I REALLY appreciate having my new name used; it means a lot to me! I left Val d'Or when I was 13, and my brother Bob was 11, in 1965. We were halfway through the school year, and moved a grade forward. It was culture shock for both of us, trying to settle into winter in London Ontario. We both remember having snowballs with rocks in them thrown at as, as our new neighbours taunted us. School wasn't difficult, but being in with girls who had started dating, while I was still playing with my Barbie dolls was a challenge. The one friend I made that first year moved away to Nigeria for two years. My Dad bought a small shoe store in London, as his "semi-retirement". He'd had a large fu...Expand for more