My Children

The older I get the more I tend to not remember “what it was like.” If life indeed is a dream and time an illusion, then perhaps this is what I am experiencing now. Nevertheless, although it is difficult to recall all of the “good times” I have experienced with my children, there are those of which I do have vivid recollections of.

Now, however, my “children” are all grown and on their own. Even Heather (at the time of this writing - August, 2009) who is still living at home is so busy with work, school and other social endeavors, that I seldom see her or have a chance to interact with her. There are no more “daddy-daughter dates;” no more “gypsy jaunts.” Time -- what has it left me? Only that which can be remembered: some tears in exchange for some smiles. To be sure, though, I love all of my children and thank God for having them, and the all too brief time I had to raise and be with them.

Daughters and dad; circa: 2003. Left to right top: Marie, me, and Lisa, Left to right bottom: Emily and Heather.

Sons and dad (circa: 2003) after David returned from a two year church mission in Argentina. Left to right: Matthew, me, David, and Benjamin

These were the Gypsy Jaunt days. A “gypsy jaunt” was when my sons, (left photo from left to right) Benjamin, David, Matthew and I would pack up a vehicle with camping equipment and set off for about three or four weeks at a time in whatever direction, and camp in fields, forests, campgrounds, or even right on a roadside on one occasion (right photo). On one gypsy jaunt we traveled through twenty-seven states in twenty-five days in a La Baron convertible. Other jaunts took us to northern Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic Provinces. The photo on the left shows us cooking the usual communal meal using a wok full of beef and vegetables.

The photograph on the left was taken circa 1996. From left to right is: Emily (seated), Marie, Heather (in Lisa’s arms), Lisa, Matthew, Benjamin, and David (seated). Instruments my children played were: piano, drums, saxophone, clarinet, flute, guitar, and violin. It wasn’t a rock band (thank goodness), but David did try my patience at times when he invited his group of ‘musicians’ and ‘singers’ over for jamming sessions.

Another photo of all my children in the backyard of our home in Canada.