I was at the pub yesterday with some English department folk (Frances Sprout, Marni Stanley, Terri Doughty, Brenda Sully, Dawn Thompson), and of course, we were talking about Mike and how great a colleague he was. The unifying theme was the great love he had for his work and his students, and his quirky, mischievous sense of humour. A few tears were shed. Everyone is concerned for your well-being through this ordeal, but confident that your strength, optimism, and the love you have for each other will help you through it.
All these qualities and more you have generously shared with the huge community you have built together, something that is evident in every post on your magnificent blog.
Love and blessings from Ross, Lynne, and family.
Thursday, 23 February 2012
Message from Linda McDonell
Dear Carol:
I wanted to let you know that I heard news of Mike’s illness late last week and have been thinking lots about you over the past few days. Mostly I have been thinking about how supportive and caring you and Mike have always been to others and what a force you are as a team. I always have had an urge to suppress a giggle when I am with you both - even when there is no joke as I know there is one coming from one or other of you!
I have checked the blog to keep up with what is happening – after a rather stressful effort to become a google account holder! I am not sure if I am ashamed or proud to say I have no experience with facebook or any of the other social network sites so I was a bit nervous to become a google friend. All was good, I had access and thought I was set to go. Sadly, I can’t get back in! Drat! Please accept this email in lieu. What an amazing list of contributors!
Take care both of you. It must be great comfort to know there are so many friends who love you and are there for you even if in spirit and not person! Count John and me as two more.
With lots of love and white light your way,
Linda
I wanted to let you know that I heard news of Mike’s illness late last week and have been thinking lots about you over the past few days. Mostly I have been thinking about how supportive and caring you and Mike have always been to others and what a force you are as a team. I always have had an urge to suppress a giggle when I am with you both - even when there is no joke as I know there is one coming from one or other of you!
I have checked the blog to keep up with what is happening – after a rather stressful effort to become a google account holder! I am not sure if I am ashamed or proud to say I have no experience with facebook or any of the other social network sites so I was a bit nervous to become a google friend. All was good, I had access and thought I was set to go. Sadly, I can’t get back in! Drat! Please accept this email in lieu. What an amazing list of contributors!
Take care both of you. It must be great comfort to know there are so many friends who love you and are there for you even if in spirit and not person! Count John and me as two more.
With lots of love and white light your way,
Linda
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
From Pauline Butling
Dear Mike and Carol
I've been so touched by all the tributes from friends and family: what an incredibly rich life you've led together. I myself seem to be at a loss for words other than to say that our hearts are with you and we hold you close. I'm sending you a playful/serious Phyllis Webb poem (It's from a section called "The Birds" in her book titled Water and Light) that seems right for this moment. I hope it resonates for you, "if only for the sound of"
Grey-eyed dryad, have you seen one if only for the sound of grey-eyed dryad. Or gull gone into blue empyrion, the liftof wind fabulous, flowing, free-for all.Nothing is pure praxis,axis of this globe sends degree by degree us into curvedpath of portent, accident, perishableeye-sad dryad. Look at her. Here.The varied thrush, the orchard oriole,the crying dove, the skin-smooth olivegreen, olive-green, with a red pimiento heart.
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry
I've been so touched by all the tributes from friends and family: what an incredibly rich life you've led together. I myself seem to be at a loss for words other than to say that our hearts are with you and we hold you close. I'm sending you a playful/serious Phyllis Webb poem (It's from a section called "The Birds" in her book titled Water and Light) that seems right for this moment. I hope it resonates for you, "if only for the sound of"
Grey-eyed dryad, have you seen one if only for the sound of grey-eyed dryad. Or gull gone into blue empyrion, the liftof wind fabulous, flowing, free-for all.Nothing is pure praxis,axis of this globe sends degree by degree us into curvedpath of portent, accident, perishableeye-sad dryad. Look at her. Here.The varied thrush, the orchard oriole,the crying dove, the skin-smooth olivegreen, olive-green, with a red pimiento heart.
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry
Message from Kory and Ian
Anecdote from Caroline Purves
Hi, Carol and Alison and Mike,
That story of the boys on Snake Island reminded us of a time you came
to our rescue. We had come to Nanaimo for Christmas after we'd gone
back to the States and were left completely stranded on Boxing Day. I
hadn't thought to buy food; every story was closed, as was the hotel,
so we 4 were well and truly stuck. So we called you and you and Mike
had us over for a wonderful Boxing Day dinner, and we all watch Raising
Arizona. True friends in deed.
XOXO
Thinking of you with love.
Caroline
That story of the boys on Snake Island reminded us of a time you came
to our rescue. We had come to Nanaimo for Christmas after we'd gone
back to the States and were left completely stranded on Boxing Day. I
hadn't thought to buy food; every story was closed, as was the hotel,
so we 4 were well and truly stuck. So we called you and you and Mike
had us over for a wonderful Boxing Day dinner, and we all watch Raising
Arizona. True friends in deed.
XOXO
Thinking of you with love.
Caroline
Mike's triumphs
------Original Message------
From: George Bowering
To: Waywordr
Subject: Re: Dear Mike
Sent: Feb 22, 2012 4:19 PM
Okay, I will admit, for the sake of argument, that you may have been
a better stage actor than I was.
I was today re-reading your letter of August 3rd and 8th. I have to say
that it is one of the greatest letters of all time, easily matching or surpassing
John Keats, Samuel Pepys and Gordy Lipkowitz.
Well, it was just an honour, for a rube from the Okanagan, to be on the
same UBC stage with you, eh? And then you showed me the ropes at the
Ubyssey and the Raven.
I got to play on the same ball team in Montreal, and then I think I got
to be on some committees trying to withhold degrees from you in Montreal AND
Burnaby.
I got to co-author a novel with you, and you were the funniest of the 4 authors.
But I was pretty funny too. So the book did not win any awards? Well,
neither did Jake Zilber or Gordy Lipkowitz.
But here's my favourite thing. When you were working on the docks in
Montreal, once in a while a crate would break and i got to help eat what had been inside.
I love you, fellow.
George Bowering
The pen is mightier than the pencil.
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry
From: George Bowering
To: Waywordr
Subject: Re: Dear Mike
Sent: Feb 22, 2012 4:19 PM
Okay, I will admit, for the sake of argument, that you may have been
a better stage actor than I was.
I was today re-reading your letter of August 3rd and 8th. I have to say
that it is one of the greatest letters of all time, easily matching or surpassing
John Keats, Samuel Pepys and Gordy Lipkowitz.
Well, it was just an honour, for a rube from the Okanagan, to be on the
same UBC stage with you, eh? And then you showed me the ropes at the
Ubyssey and the Raven.
I got to play on the same ball team in Montreal, and then I think I got
to be on some committees trying to withhold degrees from you in Montreal AND
Burnaby.
I got to co-author a novel with you, and you were the funniest of the 4 authors.
But I was pretty funny too. So the book did not win any awards? Well,
neither did Jake Zilber or Gordy Lipkowitz.
But here's my favourite thing. When you were working on the docks in
Montreal, once in a while a crate would break and i got to help eat what had been inside.
I love you, fellow.
George Bowering
The pen is mightier than the pencil.
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry
Fwd: we love you
Message from Steph Johnson and family
Dear Carol & Mike. I'm so grateful you've been keeping us in the loop during this sad time in your lives. My folks and I have been reading and re-reading your beautiful blog - numerous times throughout the days and feel right by your side in this journey.I've longed for my life the experience of feeling the 'big' love you two share together. You are beautiful partners to each other - true friends, supportive, silly, solid, caring all come to mind. I can't imagine one without the other.Please know, we are sending our love to you and your family and all that love you too.
All our love,Stephanie, Delores & Jim Johnson
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