July 2005
Greetings Friends,
Summer is a season of memories. They rise to the
surface of the mind like bubbles floating up in a
pond. Some of the memories are chosen - others
are volunteers, some bring us smiles and others
sadness, but all our memories are part of who we
are. Here are a few of mine.
Earlier this week we took a drive one evening and
went past a stone cottage that my grandfather had
built in the 1930’s and 40’s. It was
the spot where my parents and our family spent
our “one week” summer vacation when I
was a kid. It's only about 17 miles from home but
back then it seemed like a mystical journey. In
fact, it seemed like it took us all day to get
there. Packing the car and heading off for
“vacation” was a ritual that was
anticipated for weeks. It's strange how the ride
there always seemed to take so much longer than
the ride home.
The other night as we drove by that house I waved
to the people sitting out in the yard. They waved
back enthusiastically. I stopped the car and
shouted, “My Grandfather built your
house!” They shouted back, “Come on
down and visit!” I won’t go into all
the details but the next hour was spent
pleasantly drifting back and forth between the
late 1950’s, early 60’s and the
present. It was a poignant reminder how precious
the moments are that we spend just “being
together” with the ones we love. Those
memories of summer vacation are among the fondest
of my childhood and will go with me wherever I
go.
For the past 18 years, usually beginning in early
July, our family has spent most of our summers at
an old farmhouse on Prince Edward Island. This
summer will be the first one since Colleen and
Patrick were born in 1990 that we will not all be
together in that farmhouse. Six of us will be
there but Katie will not. She will be in South
Africa where she will be studying at Rhodes
University for five months. We decided to stay in
NY until Katie leaves and then go to Canada. It
was a good decision because we were needed at
home.
On July 2 my Mom, Gladys Buck Farrell, passed
away in her sleep at 92 years of age. Ann Marie
and I were with her at the end and she died
peacefully at home which was the way she wanted
it. Her life was long and productive. At the end
her body was extremely tired and worn out, as
well it should have been for she lived an active
life vigorously and enjoyed great health until
she was almost 90. She was still driving the
“old people” around in her car at age
89. She and my father had been married 62 years
when he died in 1994. At the time of her death
Mom had 7 children, 33 grandchildren, 46 great
grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.
When she passed away all of her more than 100
descendants and their spouses were still living.
Her greatest delight in life was to see her
family together enjoying themselves. She
would’ve loved the party that followed the
funeral. I know it was the most hugs I’ve
ever received in one day. Along with the hugs and
tears came a flood of stories and recollections.
The process of constructing our lasting memory of
Mom was well begun.
We are going to PEI after Katie leaves for Africa
and the five weeks we spend there will be a time
of relaxation and reflection. Not only is Katie
going away, but Jack, 19, will soon be starting
college at SUNY Potsdam. Also, Mom’s health
aide Gladys, who lived with us for 3 plus years,
and became a member of our family, has moved out.
Our household is going from nine people to five
in two months time. As we move forward into these
transitions we’re looking forward to
spending some quieter time together and visiting
with our friends in Canada.
Looking Ahead
The next school year will bring new experiences
and adventures for all of us. I will be going
overseas to do presentations at two international
conferences in the fall, one in South Africa, the
other in the Netherlands. I’m hoping Ann
Marie will attend the conference in the
Netherlands and help conduct the workshops there.
Our advance bookings for 2005-2006 are coming in
early and strong and it promises to be a very
busy year. That’s good. With two children in
college and a third starting in 2006 I need all
the work I can find.
I haven’t made it into the studio yet but
when I do there are lots of new songs waiting to
be recorded including a CD for us big kids. My
work at the Bronx Zoo continues to be gratifying.
I love the people I work with and I’m also
meeting lots of interesting folks too.
Thanks for Helping Me
Mine is a curious profession in that I work with
such a variety of people all the time. I do
approximately 80 to 100 school visits,
conferences and family concerts each year.
That’s a lot of time in the car, many hours
on airplanes, and numerous nights away from home
and family. I love what I do and believe it is
the work I was meant to do but it wouldn’t
be possible without lots of help from others. My
sincere thanks go to my dear friend Mary Jain
Dayger who does an amazing job coordinating so
many aspects of what I do. Thanks also to Rich
Copley who manages the website with grace and
thoughtfulness. Never ending thanks to everyone
in my family. And as always thanks to each of you
that sing along, buy CD’s, and invite me to
your schools and community events. What I do
doesn’t work without help and I’ve been
blessed with kind and generous friends.
I hope the rest of your summer is peaceful and
healthy and that you take the time to enjoy your
memories of summers past while living each day to
the fullest. Hope to see you soon. Keep a song in
your heart!
Peace, Love and Music,
John
PS If you are considering
booking a program for next year please call Mary
Jain (800-928-4007) as soon as possible so we can
get it on the calendar. It is beginning to fill
up.
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