In honour of father’s day, I wanted to say a few things about my Dad. How much I appreciate everything that he is to me. How lucky I am for him to be my Dad. How I wish I lived closer to him. And how so much I want him to be happy.

Any man can be a father.  It takes someone special to be a Dad.

There’s a reason I call him Dad.

My Dad and I have been through a lot together. Losing my mom. Having arguments. My struggles in relationships/university/life. And he’s always been there for me. Even when I didn’t want to ask, I knew he would be there for me. Without him, I don’t know what my life would be like. I know I wouldn’t be as strong today if it wasn’t for the support, the guidance and the belief of him in me.

Sure he can be tough on me. But he wants me to be happy and if he feels that I’m making a mistake, he won’t hesitate to tell me.

We’re very similar people. I remember in high school talking to my guidance counselor about the relationship between my Dad and I. About how we would argue about the dumbest things. And about how stubborn we both are. She said it’s because we are both so similar that sometimes we will have battles. And that I needed to try and be more patient with him. And I think I’ve been really good. I know I’ve been a jerk many times. I know I’ve made decisions he didn’t agree with. I just hope that he is proud of me, that he understands what guides me, why I am the way I am and he knows that I’m working towards creating my own life and doing what will make me happy.

I have many things to thank my Dad for – but the greatest gift he ever gave me was his love of sports, athleticism + the spirit of competition. Ever since I was a kid, I was involved in sports. Growing up, I was in the water + on the ice before I was a year old. I learned to play golf when I was only a few years old. I played baseball all the time in the backyard, I would throw the football with my Dad, I would watch him play touch football, I would watch sports with him and I would go to his softball games (and annoyingly call him Clifford the Big Red Dog). Dad, I’m sorry I called you that…I can only imagine how embarrassing it was for your kid to call you that. Wow.

I am so thankful for him coaching my hockey team, for coaching my baseball team, for driving me to/from practices, going to weekend games/tournaments with me, paying for all of my sports and never stopping me from trying out for the AAA hockey teams. Wanting me to do my best. Spending hours helping me practice in the driveway, shooting off the piece of plexiglass he got from work. Playing basketball. Teaching me how to dive and watching me land flat on my back 15 times in a row trying to do a 1 1/2 off the 1 meter board. Setting up some weights in the basement for me so I could start working out. Giving me advice although at times it seemed that I didn’t listen to him (I did listen to him – sometimes I was stubborn and didn’t want to admit that he knew what he was talking about).

I’m sorry for being difficult. I’m sorry for not caring more about your situations and instead thinking my hockey was the most important thing in the world. I realize now how hard you worked at a job you didn’t like with a boss who was a jerk just so Margo and I could play sports and follow our dreams. And how we’ve turned out, we have you to thank.

For Margo going to university on a full golf scholarship to me competing at Nationals in ultimate. To Margo going to Nationals for golf to me going to World’s for flying disc. It all started with you + mom being there, supporting us, teaching us and coaching us. Being our biggest fans.

I hope you know that what you’ve done for me I cannot adequately express in words. I’ve done my best here but it goes so much deeper. Growing up, I know that Margo and I were the luckiest kids ever. To have two loving, dedicated, athletic and caring parents in our lives. I only hope I can someday provide that to my kids. I would be honoured to have been as good to my kids as you have been to me.

Today, on this Father’s Day on Sunday, June 18, 2011, Dad, I want to say how much I love and appreciate you.

Your son,
Robert J McLeod

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My grandma is awesome. And she’s a great cook. Her dressing has made it into Canadian Living magazine and I’ve been lucky enough to have it at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner for most of my life. I guess technically it’s my grandmother’s grandmother’s dressing.

Now, I share it with you:

6 medium potatoes
1/4 cup butter
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp white sugar
salt & pepper to taste
1 tsp vinegar
2 slices bread
1 tbsp summer savory
1 tsp sage
1 onion chopped

Method: Peel and cook the potatoes. Drain, mash and add the butter. Mix well. Add the 2 slices of bread torn in small pieces. Add the rest of the ingredients. Mix well.

This dressing is good to use in stuffing your turkey or chicken (I do not put it in my turkey – instead I stuff the turkey with a couple of onions).

This dressing is not baked in the oven. It can be warmed up and served wit your vegetables. Also good cold.

My grandmother did – she put it in a small loaf pan – put it in the fridge. She used to slice it and lightly brown the slices in a buttered pan and served it warm.

Let me know what you think! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as much as I have!

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Something that is tough living so far away from home (roughly 4,500 km actually) is that I don’t really get home much and usually have to make a decision between going home in the summer (better weather and cheaper flights) vs over Christmas (lots of snow, delayed flights and more expensive flights).

For the past 2 years I’ve decided to go home in the summer – which was convenient because my vacation coincided with the Parlee Beach ultimate frisbee tournament in July. It’s such a great time and it’s an easy way to see most of my friends all at once.

However, because of how I was raised and how much Christmas means to me, it is tough being away from them during the holidays. I have so many fond memories of being a kid and waking up on Christmas day, opening presents and playing games with my family.

I try to do as much of that as possible whenever I’m not able to make it home for Christmas but something I’ve realized over the past few years is that family will always be family but close friends and really nice people can be close like family too.

That’s why this year I’m giving a huge shout out to my friends who are going to make this a great Christmas even though I’m not able to spend it with my family in NB. I will still try to call them all on Christmas morning though. And open my gifts from them.

Dang I wish I had a Christmas tree though. Hmmmm. There are a bunch of trees just up the street….

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To be or not to be…that is the question.

When it comes to volunteering and helping others, it most certainly is.

I strongly believe that there are 2 types of people who volunteer – those who truly want to give their time freely and those who simply put in their time because they think it’ll look good to their peers.

Well that’s fair. I can definitely understand doing something because it enhances your resume or because it gains respect amongst your friends/co-workers.

But what happened to doing something because it was the right thing to do?

I’ve been volunteering because I have the ability to help others. Mostly my volunteer hours have been spent teaching sports to kids. I think that’s due in large part to being involved in sports my whole life and seeing the positive impact they had on my childhood. Having the ability to give back, to me, is the greatest gift of all. And the best thing about giving your time freely to kids is that they appreciate you for doing that. When you show up and give your best to them, you’ll get their best back. It’s an incredible thing.

I also owe a lot of my volunteer spirit to my parents, both of whom I was very lucky to have had growing up. Whenever Mother’s Day is near, I reflect back on my time spent with my mom and I realize just how lucky I was to have had a mother who gave so much of herself to make sure I had the opportunities that I had – it was truly incredible.

I ask you to think about why you do/don’t volunteer. I’d love to hear your inspirations/stories!

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On Tuesday school starts again at the U of C. I’m back in 4 classes each semester and will finally be getting my degree after having started almost 10 years ago. It’s been an interesting 9 years and here are some things I’ve learned/done in those past 9 years:

1) Lost my mom

2) Lost my grandfather

3) Learned how to play ultimate frisbee

4) Taught myself how to build websites

5) Met a lot of amazing people

6) Lived in 3 provinces and 8 different places

7) Attended 4 universities in 3 provinces

Had 14 jobs

9) Lost some friends – made lots of new friends

10) Completely changed my career focus

11) Discovered my passion in life

12) Got 3 speeding tickets

13) Bought my first car

14) Had my first love

15) And have been a part of many amazing trips, groups, parties, adventures and events

I wouldn’t change it all for anything. As hard as some of it has been, it’s made me who I am today. Very cliche to say but it’s true. The worst thing ever and the best thing ever happened to me – losing my mom and finding my passion. Knowing that she would be happy with what I’m doing makes it all worth it, what I’ve gone through to get here. Sometimes it’s nice to look back on a period of your life and reflect. You could almost consider it to be an era of my life ending and a new one starting. But really there’s multiple parts of my life right now so just one part of that is going to be over when I graduate in April. It’s been a good run, I’ve learned a lot and still have a lot left to learn. Here’s to living life!

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I’m flying home to visit my family tomorrow night. I haven’t seen them all in 2.5 years. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long and it makes me sad. I’ve put so many other things ahead of taking trips home and for what?

Sure I’ve enjoyed playing in ultimate tournaments. And going on road trips has been great. But really when it matters, family is who’s been there for me. And I’m so proud of them. Margo just tied for 2nd at the NB Ladies Golf provincials and is on the team for Nationals. And Dad is happy being a teacher and is enjoying his summer golfing. I can’t wait to get out and play some golf with him. Just hang out with him and talk. It’s been a long time since we’ve done that. And I’m going to our family cottage in PEI for 3 days. Nick, Natalie, Tina, Steve and Grandma will all be there. How amazing is that? I haven’t been to the cottage in 8 years! I can’t wait to hang out in the yard and on the beach and play games with the family. I think I need this trip more than I realize. It’s very easy to get caught up in your life so much that you neglect the really important things in life. Those people who really care about you.

I also am going to get to visit Grandma in New Glasgow. I got to spend some time with her last fall when she was out visiting the Salomons but it’s always nice to see her in NS. Although this will be the first time I’ll be in the house since Grandpa passed away I’m also going to visit mom’s grave and throw some pennies in the pond. It will be the first time doing that without Margo which will be sad but I think I need some time alone with her. I feel like I’ve lost some of my morals since I was last home and I really need to reclaim those. I haven’t been feeling myself lately and I need to figure out how to get that back.

I’m also going to be running some ultimate clinics in Woodstock for the rec department. I’m doing 3; one for 5-8 year olds, one for 9+ and one for adults. I’m pretty stoked to be doing them as Woodstock hasn’t really seen ultimate before (maybe the high school teacher throwing the dad variety) so this should be pretty neat for them. I’m basically going to teach them throwing/catching, some basic gameplay and then run a scrimmage. And encourage them to get something started if they’re interested. It will be a good way to promote Ultimate Rob and teach some more people how awesome ultimate is.

And finally, I’m going to be playing in the Parlee Beach ultimate frisbee tournament with JD and some Fredericton folk. I haven’t played Parlee in 5 years so I’m pretty stoked to be playing again. I’m hoping my ankle will be 100% by the time I play (I have 10 days so we’ll see). And the last time I played we lost in the finals (and I felt like a rookie playing) so this time will be much better 

I’m just so excited to go. Lots of pics to come!

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Everyone has favourite place which they like to be. Could be Elbow Falls in Calgary. Or  a beach in Hawaii. Or a hill that looks over the city.

Point is, people have a spot they enjoy going. It makes them feel calm. It’s a place where they can think. It’s a place which holds a lot of great memories.

That place for me is our family cottage on Linkletter Beach in Prince Edward Island. I haven’t been there since 2001. That makes me sad. But I’m going to try and get home this July. The Summerside Golf and Country Club is close by. I was 2 under after 3 holes the first time I ever played the course! Rest of the round…was…alright.

We used to have a family reunion there every few years. We’d play stickball with a tennis ball and a worn down broomstick handle. We took Brandy and Sheeba (our golden retrievers). We’d go swimming in the ocean and watch Rick put his catamaran out in the water. We’d make a big bonfire and sit around telling stories. We’d play croquet and it was great because my nanny and great aunts would play and they were good! We’d play cards and watch nanny get super into it. We’d hang out inside and just enjoy spending time together. I miss that place. Will be nice to spend some time there again.

What place holds those memories for you? Where do you like to go?

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1. I have many passions but for the past 8 years, it’s been ultimate Frisbee. I frequently dream about playing ultimate. Whenever I see a green field, I think “Wow, that would be a great field to play on.”

2. I miss my mom more than anything in the world. She passed away in 2001 when I was 18 and it still hurts to think about it. She was the most important person in my life and I can honestly say that she was the most honest, most sincere, nicest, most caring person I’ve ever met. And I was lucky enough to have her as my mom. That makes me happy but also hurts that she’s gone.

3. My first love is golf, and I miss playing so much. The last time spent with my mom was on mother’s day when we went golfing. I’ve dreamt of playing pro golf for a long time.

4. I cry during movies. Sometimes. Shhhhh.

5. I’ve never been outside of North America, but I’ve been all over Canada more than most people.

6. I drank for the first time when I was 16 at the prom party for the grade 12’s (I was in grade 11). And the first thing I ever drank was coolers. Which continued to be my bevy of choice; until I got drunk off 3 Mike’s hard when I was 18 and that was the end of coolers.

7. I haven’t weighed less than 200 pounds in almost 6 years, but I can still beat you in a race…

8. I bought my first car ever in Oct of 2007. I miss rollerblading to get around and I think since I’m living downtown now I will do more of that this summer.

9. I miss my family a lot but since it’s so expensive to fly home to the Maritimes, I haven’t gone since Dec 2006. I’m going to go this year and really want to go to our family cottage in PEI.

10. I’m extremely proud to have grown up in the Maritimes and would raise my family there in a heartbeat. I love Calgary and the people here but it’s not the same. If you’ve ever been there, you’ll know what I mean.

11. I’m a very honest person. Sometimes too honest. But that’s how I am and I will live and die by that sword.

12. I have an addiction for Haagen Daas ice cream. The 500ml variety. My favourite kind is chocolate chocolate chip and it made me very sad when they stopped selling it in Canada so whenever I’m in the US for a Frisbee tournament, I try and eat it.

13. One of my favourite things to do is to go to an open field and throw Frisbees. Like, I’ll bring 8 with me. And throw for 2 hours. By myself. It’s almost like my form of meditation. Ask me to go throw sometime and you better believe I’m there.

14. I think Frisbee golf is one of the best sports ever. Especially when me and the boys play the Majestic. Ask me about the Majestic and maybe I’ll tell you. If you’re lucky enough.

15. Rhubarb is to me what shrimp is to Bubba Gump.

16. I have built 3 of my own computers. I learned by watching other people and reading about it online. It’s fun being able to do that. But ask me about cars, and I have no clue. But I can bullshit and pretend I know what I’m talking about…sort of.

17. I have been designing websites for 6 years and my proudest accomplishment was doing the Umbilical Brothers website for 4 years. They are 2 hilarious guys from Australia who do shows all over the world and I still haven’t met them. But they might be in New York in April/May and I am planning that trip already. I am beyond pumped to meet them. And to see my good friend Deb (whom I met through the forum I built for their website).

18. I have been on television 3 times. And recognized once from an appearance. For being on Street Cents, when I was living in Halifax. I felt like a celebrity. It was pretty special.

19. I have a plastic canvas calendar sitting in my drawer which I started over 8 years ago. I want to finish it one day. It’s an Olympic themed calendar. Maybe I’ll try to have it done by the 2010 games.

20. I can throw a Frisbee longer than a football field.

21. I once shaved my whole body. It took a really long time and I probably wouldn’t do it again. But I liked how my muscles looked really defined. But I didn’t like how itchy it was when the hair started growing back in.

22. I’ve dyed my hair blond twice. Once it turned orange because I didn’t have enough dye. The other time it was very light and I liked it. Would I do it again? Why not?

23. I used to be really really funny in grade 8. Like make people fall out of their chairs laughing funny. Then in the summer between grade 8 and 9 I grew up. I remember reading Sphere by Michael Crichton and feeling more mature. I still make people laugh. But not like grade 8, oh man.

24. I love dogs. Like I can’t wait to have a house with a yard so I can get a dog. I think they’re the greatest pet ever.

25. Since I’ve been told I’m random, I’ll throw in a very random fact. I was suspended in grade 3 for one day because I pulled a knife on a kid. It was my grandfather’s and I happened to have it in my pocket. Not sure why I did it. But I haven’t done it since.

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very Christmas Eve, I am brought back to being home and being so excited for Christmas. Growing up my family was never rich, but my parents always seemed to get me something that I really wanted. My mom and dad were great at giving us really useful stuff…clothes, games, etc and after all of our presents were done, my dad would always ask us “So, did you get everything you wanted?” Of course we knew that there was a big present coming. Not so much big as in monetary value, but big in the sense that it was something we really wanted.

There are 4 gifts which really stand out:

One year I really wanted a remote controlled tractor trailer. My dad surprised me with it by driving it into the family room after we were done wrapping presents. I just about lost it cuz I was so excited to get it haha.

Another year I really wanted a sled for sliding and my dad got my sister and I matching sleds. I love the picture which really captures the moment:

Then there was the year that I wanted a CYV Peewee AAA Panthers jacket, which my mom and dad bought for me and had hanging up in the work room with the other jackets. I actually went in there earlier to get a screwdriver for one of Margo’s presents but didn’t see it. So, after the presents were done, my dad told me to go check there for my present lol. I was sooo excited to get that jacket.

Finally, and this is probably the one I remember the best, was the year I wanted the Lego pirate ship. After we were done doing presents, I sat there for 4 hours and put the entire thing together…my back was soo sore but I was so excited to have the pirate ship. That was probably the best christmas present I ever got.

And this year, as I wake up, call my grandmother/uncle/aunt, aunt/uncle/cousins, dad/sister, cousins and other family members, I can’t help but remember all the good memories. As a kid sure I enjoyed getting presents, but it was always about seeing grandpa and grandma and playing cards and games with my family. Playing hockey and playing in the snow. Eating turkey dinner with family. It’s never been about presents. Always has been about family and taking the time to spend it with them.

And, as I sit here alone on Christmas morning, I encourage everyone to take some time to reflect on that. Whether or not you’re with family, remember the good times, remember the times that you have now and be excited for having your own family and making your own memories. I’m having Christmas dinner with the Salomons and the Matwies later on today and I’m excited I have family out here that gives me the opportunity to spend time with them. I don’t see them very often; normally at holidays, but they are my family and they mean a lot to me. At times they do feel like strangers since I see/talk to many friends more than some family, but they are still family and I love them for that. I’ve known them my whole life after all.

So today, as we celebrate Christmas in our own way, take the time to realize what it means to you and make the most of it. Life is short and it’s good to remember the good times, celebrate the now and look forward to the future.

Merry Christmas to everyone near and far and all the best during this holiday season

Best,
Rob

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This is a notice that was posted in the newspaper when my grandfather, John Thomas MacLeod’s plane was shot down during the 2nd World War:

Could you imagine being a parent in the 1930’s with no internet and barely any phones? Parents might not know their son/daughter is dead/alive for days/weeks/months.

Writing from memory and being brief, my grandfather was a figher pilot in the 2nd World War. He was shot down by enemy gunfire and in order ot survive, he had to climb out onto his wing and parachute to safety. However, when he landed safely on the ground, he was captured by German soldiers and taken as a captive. He told me that he was a captive for roughly 40 days and during that time was required to sleep in a closet standing up, was fed water and bread and saw his fellow comrades executed in front of him by gunshots. He was lucky to survive and later became the father of 5 children, one of them being my mom, in my eyes, the most amazing person that I will ever know.

He passed away in April of this year and I unfortunately was not able to fly home to attend his funeral. I was in the middle of exams and my grandmother told me to stay here and study and be a good student.

I talked to my grandmother on the phone last night and it was great to hear that she is doing ok. She told me that on Sunday in church they read a brief summary of grandpa’s time in the war in a moment of remembrance for him and what he did.

Margo is up visiting grandma and in addition to visiting grandpa and mom’s gravesites, I think they are going to be attending the remembrance day ceremonies at the cenotaph. That is a cereomony I wish I was there for. Maybe next November 11.

In any case, no matter where you are or what you are doing on November 11 at 11:11am, please take a few moments and remember those who have fallen, those who are serving us and think about how different our lives would be had it not been for them.

RIP John T.

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