Let this be the beginning of a wonderful process. What I would be speaking of, is the opportunity to learn more about your dad, and what he is interested in, and what I mean by “leaving a legacy”. Now you three should know more about me than anyone else, perhaps you think there is nothing left to learn. There is a good chance that you prefer to learn from me,…more on your own terms (and you get to escape the long-drawn-out version of life as I see it).

Let’s begin with me sharing how important it is for all of us to find and expand our connection with our ancestry. I went out for an evening walk, brisk frosty breath was evident, and there was a slight blanket of snow covering most of the ground. The stars were abundant and clear, you know how I like to connect with nature. There are some cultures, historically, believed the stars was the incarnate of our ancestors. If we explore our heritage or geneology we will discover the connections to other families are as numerous as the stars. Jared and I recently opened up the discussion as to our lineage and our connection to Leonard Scratch (Kratz). I am hoping for Jared to share what he is discovering about our lineage.

I found this interesting tidbit, Leonard Kratz (Scratch) was born on Jared’s Birthdate ( FEB 14TH) and 200 years before my birth year, (1756) click here
Later, Kids

I love you,

Dad

second entry,

To all of you, may you find inspiration in my words, to seek out and fulfill your own legacy. The world is actually getting smaller. As you capture your own vision, may we all see how the connection we have will carry on, even when we are apart. I think of you everyday, and hold many hopes and dreams for you to create a preferred future.

April 16th entry AS YOU FACE EXAMS,

Thank you recently for the words of encouragement…it is really something to hear such things that I may have chosen to share with you. Remember…you know me best…and had been there watching as I struggled. I hope you can feel hopeful for yourself,…and when you share how tough school is…that when I say,…”I know”…I do know and nothing can express and measure how much I care…and empathize with full understanding of such a challenge. I experienced that which now my own children are having to live it. Keep the “chin up”…”the nose to the grindstone” and all those cliche’s you share with me. Know this also…I truly love you,…always will…no matter what…

Dad

April 23rd entry

Hold your head high

I have heard each of you share your thoughts and your pain regarding discrimination. It has been something that we who hold the last name “Scratch” have had to deal with for 250 years, (see earlier post of your heritage line from Leonard Scratch (Kratz). I too have had to endure the nicknames, many very painful, such as “scratchie apache”… a dig on our name and our Native heritage. Once you let anyone know at all, that You have “Indian” blood, count on it, there will be those who will discriminate and potentiate the legacy of social injustice for Native lineage.

I have had to deal with extensive discrimination in being, a “male nurse” click here

Wanting to be an advocate for those that have been abused,…I have an appreciation for the rights of women to refuse care that could be intimate in some way, for those with sexaul abuse history (and there is tragically far too many) to request care by a female nurse, as therapeutic and not a threat to memory or feeilings. more

I share with you these thoughts and links so you can reflect on the discrimination as something that provides a common bond and link to our ancestry. I find it ironic and interesting in a social justice context, that our heritage is both English, (those that colonized),…as United Empire Loyalists, (one who fled the US in fear of death for being loyal to “the crown”…and later the “taking” of a Blackfoot woman to be a “bride”,…when the church in those days would not sanctify such a “union”. The same “United” Church that discriminated against and played a role in the “Legacy of the Residential Schools” , or ‘White hands on Red Skin beneath White sheets”. The same “lineage” of the United Church is where my mother was the Sunday School Superintendent…and where I received my first indoctrination into religion…a Christian orientation, which I for some time proudly expressed from a Gospel Music stage.
While You, and others who have the “lost heritage” history to discover on your own terms and in your own time,…I as your father,…your “elder” grant you wisdom and peace,…there is much to come to terms with while there is a”healing circle” of which we have a connection if we so choose. Click here

In deep love and commitment to healing, by my nature and birthright,

Dad

September 2nd, Day before Labour Day 2007

Ahh, the return to school…you may not believe this, but I always looked forward to the return to school…perhaps moreso now, as a teacher. You know best that I have always liked to share my opinion, more than ever with a “captive audience”. You were subjected to a lot of “lectures”…as you had often pointed out the regret of being on the receiving end…the “I know, Dad”, still rings in my ears at times

This is quite exciting for me actually, the thought that I am teaching at the very University that 2 of you will be getting a degree (or two). Now if Kenlyn would return for Law School…there would be no better place than U of Windsor for that mentorship.

The idea that at least two of you have chosen Health Care professions also thrills me beyond belief. There is no question, that few area’s need your altruistic compassion for others…and your work ethic. Despite the disappointments and frustrations associated with what I have seen (you have only heard a tip of the iceberg about my own experience…and that of your Grand-father), we can cleave to the notion, of how badly we are needed…why and where we can make a difference.

The next few months I will be busy, journaling and writing…much will be about what we discussed recently about the documentary…the response to SICKO, hopefully entitled, “SICK-EH? A real Canadian take on the Health Care of the US, (from a Canadian who has worked there…and my experience with the Canadian System…from many angles…many roles. I have been truly advantaged with my faculty position…to see what students have been exposed to, but beyond their appreciation…I can view it from a Staff Nurse role, a community Nurse role…and from an Advanced Nursing Practice perspective…inclusive of the Nurse Practitioner…in its many applications.

I would never have seen the Social Justice issues from any other platform…than the many I find myself…most recent years especially. I can sense the frustration that families feel….we feel them quite acutely now…with what has payed out for Dad. I recognize it is alot less about the individuals who work in Health Care, be they PSW’s RPN’s RN’s, NP’s , MD’s as well as the PT/OT and dietary personnel who are there for support, to the degree that they are supported or funded. There is no question in my mind that there is an underlying political agenda…that sabotages any and all opportunity for us to envision Primary Health Care to be realized to it’s full potential.

And I do hope you will dig deep into the history and philosophy of Primary Health Care.

It does carry the promise of a shift toward greater social justice, while there exist many barriers to its full implementation. We have talked about this before…beyond the basic “Greed” elements that contaminates Health Care more and more each passing year…there are the forces of “Power, Oppression, Competition and Discrimination”.

It is for the very reason that we are dealing with significant “socio-politico-economic” forces that I encourage you to take as electives alone your journey…sociology, Political Science…and Global forces in Economics. Together, with Psychology …and some anthropology…will help you understand the world better. You will want to navigate your way through relationships that matter…align yourself to be only surrounded by those with moral and ethical foundations. The corrupt and or apathetic in this world will be “pointed out” and eventually dismissed…that is what we are witnessing with the exposure of Conrad Black…the Sins of George W. Bush…and nearly every one that had ever been supporting him, or been supported by him.

You were born in a very “revealing” era…with the on-going development of blogs and independent journalism…we will see more truth be told…your generation will benifit from such.

So to wrap up this entry…but prepare you for what you will have the opportunity to learn next is:

What actually happened in Stratford.

What actually Happened at Windsor Place.

What actually is happening, in the “under-current” of Health Care.

What I see is our collective role…and why you have to remain focused and dedicated as the rough times are only just about to begin…why there is always opportunity in Chaos…especially for the vigilant moral change agent. Change…along with death and taxes…are a certainty….this is why I intend to “fill you in” and help “get you prepared” with the right orientation…and right intentions….yeah, I know,…you think there is yet another “lecture” coming your way. I am certain that a book and/or documentary may be easier for you to “digest”…than the bland facts…of what really happened.

Love you,

Dad

Any interesting “titles to Chapters of the book please let me know.

9/11- the memory lingers
Primary Colours- Primary Health Care

The Bridge “too far” off
The Plea for Windsors sake…invitation to “our reality” - the Pan-American Games at the Pollution Corridor.
The McGuinty Agenda
Windsor Place- could it happen anywhere?

In memory of Lori Dupont- a martyr of the times

Gunned down at Macs- A Windsor Cop is slain.

The Drama “played out” in Stratford.
Mexican “fiesta”- Mexican Fiasco

The horseman of the Apocalyse- Canadians Murdered in Mexico
Japan- BEyond the sushi and the sake

Killer Katrina- the apathy of an administration- The Christian Ethic of G. W. Bush
The Hamilton Experiment
Harpers’ Bazaar- is there a ray of hope- or just a reversal of Social Justice- the hope found in the Gay marriage debate, and the quest of Arctic Sovereinty.

“through my Father’s Eyes”
The “London Bridge”

“the Bend in the River”

Return Home
The Intended “journey to China”