Secrets about dad, and a poem of gratitude (from Matt, Thom and Pete)

When trying to think of stories about Dad, the problem was definitely not a shortage of material. 

In lieu of writing thirty pages of stories, we thought it’d be best to set some of our favourites down in list form.

Dad:

• mixed the ketchup with vinegar surreptitiously
• has a lounging uniform of a 25-year old flannel shirt and equally ancient sweat pants, tucked into two sets of wool socks
• thoroughly enjoys the art of construction, using only sticks
• was the king of the zipper fart, until he was dethroned
• has an enduring fondness for beagles
• can recite the entirety of the movie “Raising Arizona”
• hates carrots and pickles, but won’t hesitate with raw garlic and ginger
• enjoys a good episode of Gilmore Girls
• commutes by scooter, at a professional level
• will let you know when you’re acting like an idiot
• will give advice without judgement

...And, just to show you we’re serious:

Dear Pa,

We came out of your nuts and into your life,

Running the gambit from cutesness to strife.

We laughed and we squealed, and ate all your snacks,

So you taught us how to chill out and relax.

You’ve been up to your elbows in shit, spit, and puke

But now you’ve washed it off and lay back with your uke.

We’ve messed up some plans, and demolished some cars,

And probably spent too much time in the bars.

But you’ve always been patient, loving and kind.

A great dad like you is sure hard to find.

That’s about all we need, and you’re pretty much there

It’s just too bad you couldn’t escape with your hair.

We said we were done, but there’s just one more crux,

We’re all out of money and each need 40 bucks.

We couldn’t have asked for a more loving and understanding person to be our father. 

We want you to know how lucky we feel, and we hope you know how much you are loved. 

Happy 60^th birthday Dad. 

From Matt, Tom, and Pete

Pete, Thom, John and Matt, Spring 2010

Birthday Greetings from Sarah Shepherd

After being friends with John for many years, I was really happy when he was hired to do Aboriginal justice work at the United Church, with an office just down the hall from mine! 

Stopping in for a visit—and sometimes even talking about work—on the way to or from a meeting or the water tap (no coolers at the GCO!) always lifted my spirits and helped keep everything in perspective.

Thank you, and lots of love!

Sarah Shepherd

Unflappable John: May You Stay Forever Young (Murray MacAdam)

Nation to Nation:  The book that John,
Lorraine and Murray edited together

I’ve known John for 30 years, and have been blessed to work with him in various contexts, most memorably on the Aboriginal issues anthology  Nation to Nation (where he met Lorraine...but I digress). 

What’s always struck me is how calm and unflappable John always is, including in difficult or tense circumstances. That says a lot about John.

My favourite memory is of coming up to Bobcaygeon and seeing the look of delight on John’s face as he strummed his ukulele.

In the words of the Venerable Sage, Mr. Zimmerman: May you stay forever young.

Murray MacAdam

A Birthday Prayer for John (Penny Christiaans)

I call John my friend and I remember giving thanks to Creator for bringing him into my life.  

The interesting way we began our friendship through a very special man Paul who has taken his journey to the spirit world.  I'm not sure if I feel comfortable sharing that with everyone but John is familiar with that story.  It is what bonded John and I from the get go and I have been continually grateful for his support and his person.

I would like to share this special prayer that I had found in the book “Prayers for Life’s Ordinary and Extraordinary Moments” with some personal touches of my own.

    Creator, thank you for my wise friend John, for our many conversations

    John helps me to sort through my struggles

    His support seem to come as a word through you to ease my sole

    I am grateful you have placed him in my life

    Creator please continue to protect and guide him

    And give richly of your wisdom and your spirit

    Teach me to let your spirit come through me as easily as it comes through John

    And use me to touch others in whatever way you choose

    I pray in the spirit of Creator

    Whom you used so incredibly

   And who showed us how to love our friends.

John, here is wishing you a great big “Happy Bird Day”  from your colleague, friend and a kindred spirit.

Love, Penny Christiaans

This is a picture of John, myself and Rev Phil Schuyler of Oneida.  The event was the “Remember, Reconcile, Rejoice” for residential schools survivors in Mount Elgin.  John of course has a towel and a hat on his head…so John.

John and His Band ....

Hey Boo Boo, Watch Out for That Rock (Wil Land)

Hey Boo Boo

Watch out for that.....ROCK!!! 

John, Wil Land in Hawaii, Oct 2012

While we were vacationing in Hawaii last year, this became  one of our sayings, then we would burst out in spontaneous laughter!

HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY JOHN!

Love 

Your Brother in Law

Wil Land

John Snuck Into Our Hearts (Walter and Ella)

My first memory of John was when he came to visit us to check us out as in-laws, or were we checking him out?   I think he was kind of nervous.. we were too!  

Anyway in no time at all he had sneaked into our hearts and became our beloved son-in-law...What a fantastic addition to our family along with three wonderful new grandsons! 

On visits we always knew where John was by following the plinking of the uke! 

Congratulations on your birthday John!  

We wish you many more in health and happiness.  May we enjoy many more years of your humor, good sense and love.  Getting older is something like Joshua going into the promised land.. The Lord says to Joshua, "Be strong, be brave, be of good courage for I, the Lord your God GOES BEFORE YOU."  

These days ahead are certainly days of freedom and joy.  

Much love always, Walter and Ella.

Walter, Ella, Lorraine and John (Summer 2012)

(Almost) Skiing Memories (from Nelly Keitel)

First of all congratulations on the big 60, John!!

My little story goes back to shortly after John and Lorraine were married.  

Skiiers on the Burstell Pass

They were going to be out west here in the early spring and John wanted to do a little back country skiing.  We, being John, Brad and myself were going to bungy strap our skiis to bikes and we would bike up Burstell Pass as far as we could.  Then we would hike a little way across the gravel flats to the toe of the Roberson Glacier and do some skiing there.  

Sadly it never happened as it poured rain on the days for our great adventure!  

John, do you still do these kind of extreme sports?

Gerry and I wish you a happy birthday with all your friends and family.  Enjoy!! And congratulations!!

Nelly Keitel

Love After Love (A Poem by Derek Walcott, from Sue Smith)

Birthday Greetings from Sue Smith

Dear John,

To my dear brother-in-law, John, who is an effervescent lover of life - especially of all the finest things:  family, humour, ukuleles and skiing.   

I am inspired by your unflagging commitment to creating a more dignified, forgiving and peaceful world.  Your deep friendship with Jeff is a source of inspiration and constant comfort to me.  And, your loving ways and compassionate heart are indeed gracious gifts you share with all, making the world a better place every day.

I wish you a very very happy 60th birthday and hope that you enjoy yourself, that you celebrate and share joy on this fine occasion, that you play at least one, if not all, of your many Uke's, and that you don't feel too sad that you can't get out for a ski.

Happy Birthday John,

Love from 

your sister-in-law,

Susan

xoxo

Birthday greetings from a long-time friend (Jillian Heaver)

I have known you, John since public school -  I can’t remember the exact grade but I think it was Grade 3 at King Street School. You were always a wonderful,kind,friendly person with a great smile. 

King Street School, Whitby, 1961

In high school you were always one of the '”smart ones”. I remember that you always loved English and literature and were an eloquent speaker. 

I wish you a wonderful 60th birthday. I celebrated mine a few months ago and have to admit I am having a hard time with 60. 

I remember going to your house on Wellington Street for many gatherings a.k.a. parties!! 

If you guys are in the area, please give me a call and drop by. 

Happy Birthday John and many,many more.

Love your friend Jill xo

Birthday Greetings from cousin Guy Bird

Well cousin John, turning 60, that means you only have 10 years to catch up to me.

Certainly have mostly fond memories of that summer in Whitby and even fonder memories of visits to the cottage, but won't give away any family secrets.

We'll be in TO first week of July for Barbershop Society Convention. 

Hope our paths will cross

All the very best on your day.

Maureen & Guy

You look good for your age (cousin Barbara)

John,

I know what it's like to turn sixty
it's just a bit harder than fifty

And I'm still the same
Barbara by name
Until in the mirror I gaze

So the mirror came down,
Made a smile from my frown
And I am happy all of my days.

So you do the same
Life is still a fun game
And you must aim to do it well

Make abundant joyous noise
With your various music toys
And write all the stories you tell

Happy Birthday - Best wishes - You look good ( for your age ! )

Love cousin Barbara

Birthday Greetings from Kelly Walker

My only memories are of a kind, compassionate, sparky and fun gorgeous human being full of imagination and love.

Happy birthday John!

I hope we get to visit again on this side.

Much love, dear pal.

Kelly Walker

A Murder (by Laughing) in Lachute

Does this bring back memories, John?

 

A Murder in Lachute

 

Turn out the lights,

A scream in the dark.

Someone's been murdered.

Oh, what a lark!!!

Hiding under the table,

Someone's in the tub.

Turn on the cold water.

It's not rub-a-dub-dub.

Check in the closet.

Oops, down comes the rod.

Coats all a-tumble.

Give the body a prod.

Now on come the lights,

Just what do we do?

We must find the killer.

Could it be you?

 

 Love and best wishes,  Cousin Carol

Its a Wonderful World (Carol Scott)

Mmmmm - 60!  Sounds huge doesn't it?  And in only the best way, I guess it is.

 

When you look back at how full your life has been - your amazing family, your friends, and all that you have done, you can truly say " it's a wonderful world ". 

 

We wish you the very best, John - now and especially, for the next 60 years.!

 

Happy Happy Birthday!       

Love, Chris and Carol

[Lorraine's Note:  Cousin Carol Scott and her husband Chris introduced John to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of Its a Wonderful World and Somewhere Over the Rainbow in 2003. From that moment, John picked up the ukulele and has never looked back ....]

to John at 60

60 don't seem so bad
specially when your 57
it seems much closer than it was
betwixt age four and seven

you was three when i was born
a brother there was none finer
all those years ahead of us
and me a little whiner

you paved the way for me to follow
i was just a little nipper
you taught me how to pay attention
when doing up my zipper

we had our spats you teased me fierce
you always were much bigger
once you made me so damn mad
i chased you with the scissors

we worked beside our dear old dad
you have to give him credit
the lumber yard  our training ground
"if that's lunch i've had it"

Hilmar, Bill and Walter to
a jolly saucy crew
a few hard cases i will admit
but they were brave and true

you went out west at age 16
with your good old buddy paul
you came back home with tails galore
you had to tell me all

life has brought it's trials and tribs
often causing mayhem
but when encountering hills and dales
we find it best to ski em

so now i find I must conclude
this waxing to extremes
your the best brother I ever had
and the only one it seems

A Carrot Cake Recipe for Your Birthday (Jack Couperus and Don Baxter)

We received the email with the request for thoughts for John's 60th.  

We gave it our full consideration and like the good friends we are, we thought a carrot cake may be the best thing, after all, by his own confession it is his favourite kind of cake.  

One piece of this delicious low-carb diabetic-friendly cake with a generous scoop of Kawartha dairy, no sugar added cherry ice cream really takes the cake!  

So we have attached our true, tried and tested secret recipe for y'all.  Enjoy!

Happy baking and happy birthday :-* 


Jetse (Jack) and Don 

________________________________________________________

BEST CARROT CAKE (Diabetic)

1.  In food processor blend together until well mixed: 
       -1/2 cup brown sugar splenda
       -1 cup all purpose flour
       -1 cup whole wheat flour -2 tsp. baking powder
       -1/2 tsp. baking soda
       -1/2 tsp. salt
       -2 tsp. ground cinnamon -1 tsp. ground ginger
       -1/2 tsp. grated nutmeg -Some lemon zest to taste
    Set aside in small bowl.

2.  In food processor beat:
       -2 Large eggs until frothy
       - add 1/4 cup Becel oil
       -add 3/4 cup no-fat yoghurt 
     Pour into mixing bowl.

3.  In food processor shred:
       -3 cups of carrots (One medium carrot per cup)
       -1 cup fresh pineapple or canned pineapple drained

4.  Add dry ingredients (#1) to wet ingredients (#2) in mixing bowl. 
     Mix thoroughly.

5. Add in shredded carrots, crushed pineapple and dried fruit and nuts. Mix until all is well blended.

6. Pour batter into a well oiled and floured 9 x 13 baking dish and bake in moderate oven at 350 F. for 40 to 50 minutes until toothpick prodded in centre comes out clean.

This cake is delicious as is or with light frosting. Or serve with ice cream.

Makes 18 servings, 183 calories per serving. 3.8g. protein, 34g carbohydrate 4.36g fat.

Note: Simply raisins will do but you may wish to blend cranberries, ginger, walnuts etc.

From an old CPJ Friend (Adrian Vandenberg)

Thank you for the opportunity to greet you, John, on your 60th birthday.  

I don’t have any photos or special stories to share, but I fondly remember your friendship which goes back to the years we worked together (early 1980s) when we were both with Citizens for Public Justice.  

I remember the times that you invited me to your home during that time, and the invitation to be at the baptism of your oldest son, Matthew.   

I thank God for your friendship and the times that we were able to renew connections.  I sense a kinship spirit in you that I also find in your wife, Lorraine.  

Blessings as you celebrate your 60th.  

Adrian Vandenberg, together with Elena.

To a Favourite Uncle .... (Leigh-Anne King)

John has always provided me with much joy & comfort!! 

He is one of my favourites who can always put a smile on my face & provide such deep happiness from within... 

My fondest memories are camping, paddling in the canoe & family gatherings!

He has a huge heart & lots of love without any judgement! 

His love of life & music are contagious! 

Happy Birthday, my lovely!!!

Love,Leigh-Anne xoxox

A Partner in Seeking Reconciliation (Jean Koning)

How wonderful that John is about to celebrate the big six-oh!  My children are doing the same about this time and, momentous as the occasion is for the sixty-year-olds, it is not without some effect on the parents who are able to celebrate with them, in person – especially when we begin to recall all the memories within those years!

 

My first memory of John was when I saw his name connected with that beautiful but distressing Anglican Video named “The Seventh Fire”, produced in 1994 – one of my first introductions to the kind of work that John and I would begin to do together as time went on.  His script, so eloquently delivered by the charming and talented late Elder, Vi Smith, gave us in the Anglican Church the words by which we could begin to recognize just what we had done through those residential school years, and that was not easy.  We are still struggling to begin to come to terms with that.

 

A few short years later, John was editor of the Untied Church Observer, and he asked me if I would write something about what came to be known as “Ipperwash”, but I was never able to put down in words a story that could be published, since my involvement was as a friend who had promised the Stoney Pointers that it was their story to tell. 

 

Then, when I moved to Peterborough, our dear friends, Lynn and Laverne Jacobs, brought us together with John and Lorraine – and I knew you two had married to the delight of all your friends, and it was a great pleasure to meet you again since we had worked together in Project North a number of years ago!I  And another dear, mutual friend, Elder Murray Whetung of Curve Lake First Nation, rounded out the party which launched me into Peterborough/Kawartha society!

 

That was the time, I think, when John was doing communications for Peterborough Green-up, so we met occasionally to keep in touch, almost always around First Peoples issues.  

That’s when I discovered that his excellent writing skills came, at least in part, from his warm, loving heart and his ability to listen to the other’s story, no matter how long or rambling!

 

Now John is the UCC’s Program Director for its Aboriginal Justice and Right Relations sector, which keeps us in regular contact as well as – but for me,  best of all is that John is now a member of the Kawartha Truth & Reconciliation Support Group, where his fine mind for listening and reflecting on other people’s stories while adding some engaging ones of his own is put to very good use.

 

Along the way, I discovered another side of John – his love of music and his ability to make it – and it was so wonderful to have you and John and Alan all play for my birthday last December! 

 

Gosh, Lorraine, what a talented guy you have there!

 

John, have the best birthday ever, surrounded by family and friends, and know that you are making a big difference, for the better, in many people’s lives.  I wish you many happy returns of a very happy 60th birthday!  Thank you for being a  wonderful friend to me.

 

With my love and prayers,

 

Jean.