Sunday, March 11, 2012

Rest in Peace John Pratt

In 2001, I joined an online Literati site, and one of the first people I met and played was Bigjohndj aka John from London, UK. He passed away on Saturday, at age 63. His birthday would have been March 15th. He was a terrific guy. This is what his friend posted on John's Facebook page:

"In his last day, John said to me "Goodbye, my Friend. I am dying, it was a pleasure meeting you" and he shook my hand. I replied "Bye John.And remember, we will all meet you at some point" . And he laughed."













Thursday, March 8, 2012

In Memory of my Dad ~ 25/11/1930-28/03/2008

My Dad passed away four years ago this month, at the age of 77. During the last several years of his life, I had not really visited him (he was in a nursing home, and this is something that I do regret. There are many memories of my Dad that i do not want to forget and would like to write down:

My Dad always called me J.J., he and my sister Jill. I loved this nickname....it makes me feel special.

When, I was in grade 7, I had some issues, and one day when it was raining, I left my house in some distress. My Dad drove around and found in at a local park. He came and talked to me and told me about similar problems that he had when he was a kid. He was kind, gentle and understanding at this time, when I was in turmoil and having a hard time (and so were other people, especially my sister Lynne), and it meant the world to me then as it does now.

There were many times when I was in financial trouble and my dad would help me. One time my phone was cut off, and he paid the bill (he was a co signer). I am sure it must have aggravated him, but as again, I was now a young adult and really should have been paying my own bills, he never said anything to me about it. He just did it, and I was very grateful.

When I was in the hospital, pregnant, my father came to the hospital EVERY DAY and sat with me and chatted. It was fun in many ways, and I learned some interesting things. My Dad was kind, sensitive, thoughtful and caring to do this for me.

My Dad, was not always the best family man, I think maybe he was overwhelmed, but he cared for all his kids a lot, and on the rare occasion when I would complain about my mother or a sibling to him, he would often (usually) defend them!! I think that was a wonderful attribute and shows his loyalty.

When my mother died (my parents really were not all that close that I can recall), I remember him sitting in the kitchen, looking out the window, with tears in his eyes, and saying, "Marilyn sure could grow a garden". This just moved me to no end. Maybe I grew up a bit that day, as I realized how hard it must be on my Dad to lose his spouse of a lifetime.

He was an active man, walking a lot, telling stories, friendly to people, and into Tai Chi in the later parts of his life. It was sad to see him go rapidly downhill after surgery for diverticulitis and then a diagnoses of Alzheimer's Disease. Very sad, but he still smiled his smile and was the same man!

There are many other times when he showed a very kind, sensitive, and caring side. I can see parts of my Dad in myself, and it makes me glad. There are funny things too - like being in a long and at that point aggravating labour, and watching baseball with him, as he was telling me a horror story about my mother once being in labour for days (haha). He did not really like pets, but he grew to be quite close to our cat Kiki, as well as our other cat Tasha, after my mother died, and was a good dad to them too.

I always loved watching sports with my Dad. I was certainly no sports fan, but I remember how he would always watch the Tiger's and him telling me about the announcer, Al Kaline, and his favorite football team was The Steelers (he would try to explain football to me), and then of course the Maple Leafs! I don't remember a lot about the actual games, but I remember sitting there with my dad watching them with him and feeling close to him. I am sure that I must have talked at important times and asked dumb questions at times!

I went to my first professional baseball game (at Exhibition Stadium, Toronto), with my father in 1984 or thereabout. It was hot , we were out in crappy outfield seats. I remember Jesse Barfield, because he was the right fielder and only player we could really see clearly. haha

He loved and was proud of all his grandchildren and a great Grandpa!  (to be edited later, just wanted to get this started). This is more for me, than anyone, though I am glad if my friends and family read this too.

http://www.sootoday.com/content/announcements/obituaries/print.asp?c=22656