Sunday, 13 September 2015
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
One Year on
On the eve of the one year anniversary, I just wondered if anyone had any recollections of John they wished to share? Here are some pics to help you think.
Monday, 12 September 2011
From Arno
September 7, 2011
Dear Maureen and members of John's family,
The death of our dear friend John has left a heavy feeling on our hearts, and yet we are grateful that his ordeal is over and we celebrate his life. We loved him. We will miss him.
Recollections of John are deep and lasting. We genuinely liked him. After first meeting him at a social occasion, when he told me about his workshop and model ships, I called to ask if I could visit. John was most gracious. We hardly knew each other, but after our first meeting I felt that I'd known John for a long time. We had a cup of coffee and a good chat and spent an hour or so in his world, the workshop. That was the beginning of a very good friendship.
John spent years at sea, so he understood its ups and downs and he appreciated the meaning of “steady as she goes”. James A. Garfield (1831-1881), the 20th president of the United States, put it better than I can:
John sought the calm level of the sea in his carefully measured approach to life. As they say, what you see is what you got -- no airs, no presumption, opinionated, yes, but thoughtful enough not to try to proselytize. John had his views and he was comfortable with them. He seemed to be able to endure differing views without rancor. He lived his life as much as possible without imposing on others. We’ve come to appreciate the characteristic that is valued so highly here on Arran - - John didn’t complain, he ‘got on with it’.
And, returning to Garfield’s point, John was a metaphor for measurement. He was a measurer of things -- keeping careful charts of events and using the measurements to assess experiences. Some people just go from place A to place B. John planned ahead and then calculated to evaluate the outcome. He knew when he left A, how long the journey took, how much petrol he had consumed, etc. It was a special part of his personality. John presented us with a device that predicts the weather and measures wind speed, temperature, humidity, atomic time and rainfall. I hope he won’t judge us too harshly, but we’re still surprised when the weather changes! He made and gave us a device to measure the fuel in our tank. We used it last week, because the digital device we plugged in and tried to calibrate has never worked properly.
Even as John's health failed and he had to come to grips with the cancer that was consuming him, and the often haphazard approach of his medical care, John tried to be cheery and positive. He called us every week for the past year, or we called him. It was always a positive experience to talk with him. His recent call from Cross House Hospital was to say he would be transferred to the War Memorial Hospital for a few days before returning home. We know he wanted to be positive for the sake of those around him, even when he must have felt despair.
We enjoyed John’s recollections - - the merchant marine, the Lagg Hotel, his family and his childhood. We have enjoyed reading his memoirs of Yorkshire and listening to his recordings of life around him. We were honored that he would share those experiences, because in doing so he was reliving them himself, such was his imagination, and sharing them with us.
We are reflecting on the inscription on that beautiful bench on the shore at Kildonan, which asks: "Does the song of the sea end at the shore, or in the hearts of those who listen?" Knowing John as a friend helps us answer that question with better understanding. That’s why we celebrate John’s life as we extend deepest sympathy to each of you.
My planned return to the U.S. this week will prevent me from attending the service on September 13, but Mary will be there and I will be recalling all the fine memories of John that have been collected over the years.
Sincerely,
Arno and Mary
Dear Maureen and members of John's family,
The death of our dear friend John has left a heavy feeling on our hearts, and yet we are grateful that his ordeal is over and we celebrate his life. We loved him. We will miss him.
Recollections of John are deep and lasting. We genuinely liked him. After first meeting him at a social occasion, when he told me about his workshop and model ships, I called to ask if I could visit. John was most gracious. We hardly knew each other, but after our first meeting I felt that I'd known John for a long time. We had a cup of coffee and a good chat and spent an hour or so in his world, the workshop. That was the beginning of a very good friendship.
John spent years at sea, so he understood its ups and downs and he appreciated the meaning of “steady as she goes”. James A. Garfield (1831-1881), the 20th president of the United States, put it better than I can:
“I have seen the sea lashed into fury and tossed into spray,
and its grandeur moves the soul of the dullest man.
But I remember that it is not the billows, but the calm level of the sea
from which all heights and depths are measured." James A. Garfield
John sought the calm level of the sea in his carefully measured approach to life. As they say, what you see is what you got -- no airs, no presumption, opinionated, yes, but thoughtful enough not to try to proselytize. John had his views and he was comfortable with them. He seemed to be able to endure differing views without rancor. He lived his life as much as possible without imposing on others. We’ve come to appreciate the characteristic that is valued so highly here on Arran - - John didn’t complain, he ‘got on with it’.
And, returning to Garfield’s point, John was a metaphor for measurement. He was a measurer of things -- keeping careful charts of events and using the measurements to assess experiences. Some people just go from place A to place B. John planned ahead and then calculated to evaluate the outcome. He knew when he left A, how long the journey took, how much petrol he had consumed, etc. It was a special part of his personality. John presented us with a device that predicts the weather and measures wind speed, temperature, humidity, atomic time and rainfall. I hope he won’t judge us too harshly, but we’re still surprised when the weather changes! He made and gave us a device to measure the fuel in our tank. We used it last week, because the digital device we plugged in and tried to calibrate has never worked properly.
Even as John's health failed and he had to come to grips with the cancer that was consuming him, and the often haphazard approach of his medical care, John tried to be cheery and positive. He called us every week for the past year, or we called him. It was always a positive experience to talk with him. His recent call from Cross House Hospital was to say he would be transferred to the War Memorial Hospital for a few days before returning home. We know he wanted to be positive for the sake of those around him, even when he must have felt despair.
We enjoyed John’s recollections - - the merchant marine, the Lagg Hotel, his family and his childhood. We have enjoyed reading his memoirs of Yorkshire and listening to his recordings of life around him. We were honored that he would share those experiences, because in doing so he was reliving them himself, such was his imagination, and sharing them with us.
We are reflecting on the inscription on that beautiful bench on the shore at Kildonan, which asks: "Does the song of the sea end at the shore, or in the hearts of those who listen?" Knowing John as a friend helps us answer that question with better understanding. That’s why we celebrate John’s life as we extend deepest sympathy to each of you.
My planned return to the U.S. this week will prevent me from attending the service on September 13, but Mary will be there and I will be recalling all the fine memories of John that have been collected over the years.
Sincerely,
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
I asked Maureen this morning if there was anything she wanted to add to the blog. Tears sprang to her eyes and she said "Just that our hearts are breaking. Sitting here day after day is so painful. A sudden death is such a painful shock, but this is unbearable. the only positive about this whole thing is that we have each other and how wonderful the staff are here at the hospital."
She has been staying at the Arran War Memorial Hospital. At around 10:30 I encouraged her to go home, get a change of clothes, a change of scene.
At around 13:15 Angus Adamson arrived. He is the minister and friend of dad. "How are you today?" he asked. "Angry" I replied. "Oh dear, tell me what is wrong?" he asked. "Isn't that one of the stages of grief?" I asked.
I was sitting holding Dad's hand. Angus sat opposite me. I reached forward for his hand, "I am not a believer" I stated, "but I want to thank you for the comfort and support you have offered dad and the family. Thank you so much Angus".
He grasped my hand and put his other hand on dad's shoulder, he said a beautiful pray, dad exhaled.
Dad was gone.
She has been staying at the Arran War Memorial Hospital. At around 10:30 I encouraged her to go home, get a change of clothes, a change of scene.
At around 13:15 Angus Adamson arrived. He is the minister and friend of dad. "How are you today?" he asked. "Angry" I replied. "Oh dear, tell me what is wrong?" he asked. "Isn't that one of the stages of grief?" I asked.
I was sitting holding Dad's hand. Angus sat opposite me. I reached forward for his hand, "I am not a believer" I stated, "but I want to thank you for the comfort and support you have offered dad and the family. Thank you so much Angus".
He grasped my hand and put his other hand on dad's shoulder, he said a beautiful pray, dad exhaled.
Monday, 5 September 2011
John & Helen
it is so good to keep in touch with John in this way. I hope you are all able to get some rest whilst caring so much for John. I imagine you all round his bed. Love to you Ruth and to Maureen and to Graeme and of course to John the valiant fighter.
John & Helen
John & Helen
Evelyn
Loads of people phoning me and sending me messages by e-mail and facebook from France, even, that`s Roddy and Claudine; also Allan Macdonald, Tony Black phoned me tonight, Maureen Irvine phones all the time, Paddy from Ayr, Evelyn Strang from Mearns and Muriel from Orkney, Toni from Australia. All my friends too sending the best of wishes to John, as I am. To you too, Ruth and Miriam when you next speak to her and Graeme. And Maureen, of course.
Much Love
Evelyn
PS Nearly forgot - Tony Black offered accommodation to anyone who needs it (he says the sheets are clean) or if anyone needs a shower........... He did leave Maureen a phone message and went to the house with newspaper, did not want to phone again or feels he does not want to come to hospital as maybe just family. I said he would be good at cheering everyone up! Ruth has his phone number in case needs it
Much Love
Evelyn
PS Nearly forgot - Tony Black offered accommodation to anyone who needs it (he says the sheets are clean) or if anyone needs a shower........... He did leave Maureen a phone message and went to the house with newspaper, did not want to phone again or feels he does not want to come to hospital as maybe just family. I said he would be good at cheering everyone up! Ruth has his phone number in case needs it
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