Family

Yes CJ, its story time with Gerry again.

I haven’t mentioned my wonderful wife Nita before. Nor have I mentioned my daughters, Amanda and Erin. One day soon, I will write at least 1 blog about each of my parents.

Our views on family are views we have developed over our lives. We also, as we grow up, learn the meaning of community. In our society, we usually have many opportunities and groups to our disposal which also help shape us. As my wife is fond of quoting; “It takes a village…”

When I was young, I became a Cub Scout. I joined the cubs at the ripe old age of 7, and stuck with it a few years. I learned how to fit into a group and how to socialize. My brother himself became a cub leader for his son’s troop, and then his daughters’ troops. He met many wonderful people with this organization, and introduced me to a few. The ones I remember most are Peter and Kathleen.

Many thinkers and philosophers have pointed out that we cannot choose our families. With the exception of marriage, this is true. I have been sufficiently blessed with my born-family, that I don’t really have an issue with this. Mostly.

I have 4 siblings. When we were kids, our older brother and sister would refer to my younger brother, Frank & I as the little guys. We didn’t have an issue with this. However, when our younger sister took to calling us this when she was 4 and we were 11 & 12, we asserted our birthright (being older) of telling her “We ARE the boss of you!!!”.

I have 2 wonderful daughters from a previous marriage, Amanda is 22, and Erin is 19. I have been complimented many times on how well mannered they are. When I have attempted to point out that it is they who deserve the compliments, it is usually pointed out to me that they have grown up to be who they by being brought up by their family, and as their father, I am at least partially responsible for how they turned out. Sorry girls, I’m not trying to make you sound like something I baked; an Amanda soufflé & an Erin torte!

All the while letting my girls know that I too am proud of the women they have become, I have extrapolated this logic, and let my mom know that she too has had a hand in how they have matured. After all, I learned my parenting skills from my parents. I neither formed my ideas nor beliefs from television, nor will I blame television for my shortcoming. (I know I must have at least one, I just haven’t discovered it yet.) I know my parents, as well as my siblings, have something to do with who my daughters have become.

There is absolutely nothing I would not do for my mom, my wife, and my kids. (Siblings? Maybe not so much.) I would give anything to any of these women. I know I would.

On September 13, 2006 Kimveer Gill went on a shooting spree at Dawson College, Montréal, strangely enough, my alma mater. Anastasia Rebecca De Sousa died at the scene, but we don’t remember her name. Television spent more time telling us about Kimveer, and less about Anastasia. Quebecers have remembered Anastasia with foundations, scholarships, but most importantly, a gun control law dubbed “Anastasia’s Law”. Television told us even less about Kathleen Dixon.

Television tells us that the ultimate sacrifice is to take a bullet for someone else. I mentioned Kathleen in reference to the cub scouts. I did not hear about Kathleen that day until I spoke with my brother. I still have yet to hear anything about Kathleen in the media. Being anal, and wanting to be sure I am not mis-speaking, I have even trolled Google & Bing looking up Kathleen & her daughter Meaghan. Results? Meaghan 48 hits, Kathleen 705 hits, Kimveer 31,331. Most of the hits for Kathleen and Meaghan are not about this Kathleen & this Meaghan. Most of his hits were about him.

Please indulge me & click on the links below, and then come back and finish this blog;

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/09/15/shooting-wounded.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxJ95PB11EQ

The first link is a CBC on-line story about what family is. The second link is a Youtube my brother posted. I would like to think that I would do the same for my kids, although I pray that I am never given the chance.

I have never had the opportunity to tell Kathleen just how much I respect her for what she did on that horrible day, until now. I am hoping that she gets to read this. She is one of the bravest people I have ever met. At the end of the Youtube, you can hear Meaghan cheering on her mom, and the last image is of a beaming and loving Meaghan.

Given that television did not tell us about Kathleen, but all about Kimveer, I’m glad I did not leave my kids to be raised by television.

Cheers folks!