When I was in my teens, we went camping at Seeley lake park near Hazelton. Jacob was older and had graduated or was about to. We were playing at the campground and one morning he told us this may be one of the last times we would be able to be all together as a family. He explained that it was hard to believe as a child, but when we grow up, our lives would take us in different directions and it would be difficult for us to find the time to get together.
That was half a lifetime ago. In the second half of my life he worked very hard to prove himself wrong. Nearly every summer from 2002 until now, him and Wendy put on a campaign weekend in Parksville. The reservations would open in march and he would call first thing in the morning to have a double site reserved for the year. He bribed the park workers with gifts of hanging baskets so they would remember him and ensure we had a spot in the high demand camp ground. He set up his 20m x 20m tarp with and intricate system of ladders, rope, electrical conduit, hose clamps and a home made lever and pulley assembly made from front bicycle forks. He had 2 large tents set up on site for anyone who wanted to drop in and stay a while. His tent was on top of the truck.
It wasn’t his hard work and constant preparedness, but his love for all which earned him the moniker camp dad. When we were young, we swam in the ocean, built sand castles and played games on the sand. We would have played music long into the night if quiet time wasn't ten. One year I remember getting permission from the neighbours to keep playing and they said they loved hearing the music. He learned to cook everything on the barbecue. Pancakes, bacon and even pie. As we got older, we swam in the ocean, built sand castles and played games on the sand.
Last night Jacob, me and our families went to the rocky point near the Tsartlip first nation and swam in the ocean together. Grateful for the wonderful man who taught us to live and love completely.
