Sunday, April 25, 2021
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Even in my father's last days on this earth, he was still teaching his children; his family.
What did he teach us?
Family is important.
It is the only thing on this “earth” that is truly important.
In his last days, he did not concern himself with what was on CNN, he did not discuss the latest politics- more specifically Trudeau or Trump, he didn’t talk about covid-19, he didn’t talk about hockey, he didn’t watch TV or movies, He wasn’t on his computer, he wasn’t on his phone checking text messages or checking his email, he wasn’t on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, he wasn’t searching the internet, he didn’t talk about his latest project or projects he has completed in the past or anything else.
What he taught us, was none of that matter- it never mattered. The only thing that mattered was family. His family, and the love he had for his family. How important your family is.
He taught us this when he held his great-grandchild, Caelin Jenkins (my daughter, Emily, son) for the first time in his arms. He broke down in tears as he was staring at him and holding him; for he knew he would not see him grow up on this earth- which probably brought him to thinking how much he would miss his family.
He taught us how important family was to him, when all he wanted, his last dying wish, was to see all of his family together again and to have one last picture with us. The picture was not for him so we would remember him, he did it was for us.
He taught us this when he drove out to my brothers’ home so he could visit Pepper, my brother's daughter. The only grandchild who was unable to see him because she has a difficult time in large groups of people which he knew, so she did not attend the last family function with him. So, even in his weakest state, he got dressed, walked slowly to the car, and went out to her home in the country, so he could see her one last time, and she could see him and he, in his own way, say goodbye to her.
My father worked a lot when we were growing up, but he still took time for his children, his wife, Gail- his family. The memories I have of my father, fill my mind. They then play in my eyes like a movie plays on the big screen. We went on many adventures together as a family- traveling across Canada and parts of the USA. We camped, we visited forts (lots of military forts), visited pioneer villages, we explored mines, we visited tourist attractions that he thought would interest us, we visited many military bases- usually abandoned. It was during those times he would talk about his dad and how he fought in the war.
My father taught us all of the children how to skate. He taught me, Kimberly, my younger brother, Joey, and my younger sister, Barb, how to play hockey. He built a backyard rink for us in our backyard, every winter; which we skated and played hockey on. His love for hockey was great and he wanted his children to be a part of that. My father desperately knew I wanted to play hockey but due to girls not being allowed to play, he found another way for me to be a part of this great sport- he let me scrimmage with the teams he coached, he made me a personal trainer/stick girl so I could be on the bench, he had me video record the tryouts and assist with that, he had me help rate the players for the tryouts, and when I turned 16 years old, he finally found a team I could play on - the Ottawa Gee-Gees. (I had no one idea he had been searching for one for me to play on.) Just like what he did for my brother, he attended all of my hockey games.
In every house we ever lived in, my father would put up a swimming pool for us so his children could learn how to swim and have something to do in the summer when he was working. He also taught us all how to swim.
My father taught me about architecture and because of that, I have an absolute love for architecture- for older buildings, houses, for designing floor plans. I have a great love and interest and this talent because of him. I remember him every time I am drawing up floor plans, when I see older homes and when I am planning out renovations or redesigning the layout of a home.
I could tell you so many stories, adventures, teaching moments I have had personally with my father. I could tell you what he did with us as a family but I don’t need to. These memories will be with me forever and I am sure you all have your own special memories of him or witnessed him doing these things with his family. I will always cherish everything my father did with me, for me, and for his family.
Even though I have all of these great memories of my father I will never forget the last discussions I had with him and the lesson he taught me- and why, my family is so important to me and that is how important your family is.
The last discussion I had with my father, was talking to him about our Heavenly Father, and the Spirit World. I told him he didn't need to be afraid, this was all part of Heavenly Father's plan.
The last lesson he taught me occurred when he saw me on September 5th, and he said to me,
“Kim, you came back. You came back. I didn’t think I would ever see you again. I was so worried about you.”
As I write this, I can not help to relate this to also what our Heavenly Father tries to teach us, families are important, and what He also desires- his family back together.
