Friday, July 30, 2021
Mark, Nelson, Laurel and Dave,
I am heart broken for you all, and for myself and those others that are close to you too. I feel the pain of a wound that will never truly heal in memory of my dad, and now yours. Uncle John represented the best of farming, the best of prairie living, and a tenacity of keeping natural and family history alive and appreciated. He represented a love of music; especially Amadeus, apparently maybe the only movie he ever watched? And watched several times? Unheard of with that generation! I'm fortunate to have had him as an Uncle to help shape who I became. And I'm fortunate enough to have been able to visit the farm while I was working in the area doing some bird work. He would tell me all kinds of stories about Hamaruka, and Coronation, and Czar and all the other small towns in the area and how important their history was to him. He was such a gentle soul; one that could be stirred, no doubt, but gentle in his approach to those around him that he cared for. Including most of the animals in his care. I always loved the names he gave his favourite cows; runaround sue, Momar Kahdaffi, Dini Petty I think was one of them? And Mojo... God bless the fact that Uncle John and Mojo are re-united now, along of course with Auntie Lorainne and his siblings.
I have so many good memories of the farm. Family dinners and singing the prayer, soccer in the back yard, skiing behind the snowmobile, and the annual summer visits to be part of the family, and taking part in the Monty Python quotes around the kitchen table. Those are some of the best and most burned in memories I have.
I'm so glad that you four are so close in my heart. You've always been more than just cousins to us, you're more like brothers and a sister. I love you all, and hope that we can get together soon.
Love from Robb, but also Laurie, Arik and Kris.
