This past week I had the pleasure of travelling to a tiny town in western Saskatchewan to visit Dave’s dad, John, and his wife Margot. I’ve met them twice before, but haven’t seen them since before Dave and I were married. I thought in the wake of Dave’s death, it would be good to establish the relationship between them and our sons. They are, after all, family.

Dave and his dad had a tough relationship and some massive miscommunications, coupled with baggage from the past, led to some less-than-agreeable words passing between them. However, I believe that Dave – with his heavenly wisdom – would have wanted his dad to get to know his kids. So we headed off to Wilkie, Saskatchewan on Monday.

Wilkie is about 160km northwest of Saskatoon. A cute little town with a population near 1200 it is tiny but has some character. John & Margot run a bed & breakfast there called the Pioneer Parish Bed & Breakfast – an old church they’ve converted. They live downstairs in the old church basement, which they have completely renovated and restored, and have built two guestrooms on the main floor in the church sanctuary. The place is cute – it’s full of antique trunks, art etc. and they have it set up to do karaoke every so often with the people of Wilkie. Dave always did have fond memories of his dad on a guitar… mini-man had a great time playing guitar with his Papa John.

Pioneer Parish Bed & Breakfast

Mini-Man with Papa John

Me & the boys with Papa John & Margot

It was really a great visit despite the snow blowing sideways on May 4th and temperatures that never got much above freezing. We stayed up way too late at night talking about all kinds of things and just basically getting to know one another. I’m very glad we went. Mini-boy was a champ and thrilled everyone with his huge smiles; he even slept well… not sure why he won’t replicate the good sleeping at home, mind you. Mini-man was fairly well-mannered and charmed all the ladies as usual (his father’s son lol).

If I have learned anything through Dave’s death it’s that life is all about the people around you – your family and friends. That’s all there is when it comes down to it.

If you have anyone in your life with whom you share a strained relationship, I urge you to seek them out, try and look at life from their perspective and work it out. Talk. I think sometimes when kids grow up we try and maintain a parent-child relationship to some extent even though we are children no longer. It’s really a very valuable exercise to get to know your parents or your children as adults… firstly it likely makes for way better conversation, but secondly I think we can continue to learn and grow from the wisdom of our parents. I also think parents can learn from the wisdom of their adult children… if they can see past the troubled teen they once knew.

Now go… give your loved ones a hug and tell them you love them.

And by the way, if you’re ever in Wilkie, Saskatchewan and looking for a place to stay, give John & Margot a call at the Pioneer Parish Bed & Breakfast at (306) 843-2719. They’re lovely and gracious hosts.