Martyupnorth's latest social media experiment - helping my Dad

[@benoitdesjardins5574]

Hello Mary Up North friends and followers. This is Marcel's grandson and daughter writing. On behalf of my mother and I, we wish to thank you for all the cards, letters, photos and drawings you have sent Marcel. My mom (Marie) visits my grand father regularly and takes the time to sit with him and read out loud each card. We are touched by the beautiful and meaningful messages you have all written. From Australia, to the USA, from Calgary to England...the messages are thoughtful and it's fun to hear from everyone. Marcel likes to hold the cards and look at the pictures, taking his time with each of them. Some places Marcel has visited, others are new to him and those of us reading the card. We now long to visit Australia, England and some of the many states in the US. Thank you again for your kindness and please know that it is truly appreciated. Seasons greetings and good health to everyone from Canada's capital- Ottawa, Ontario Canada. (Marie and Ben)

[@hughmongus211]

Very touching. Sorry for your loss.

[@Thelonelyscavenger]

I was caregiver for both my parents until my dad passed away last year. Short term memory loss is tough to deal with. Glad to see you with your dad!😊

[@triuneicthus3524]

I literally just got back from visiting my Gma today who has dementia and I noticed you posted a new video. I wasn't expecting this. It's so hard seeing a loved one go through dementia. For a few years I was taking care of my mom, who had ovarian cancer, and my Gma with dementia. It was pretty overwhelming at times but I loved them and they're family, so that's what we do. It's funny because she doesn't remember living in El Sobrante, Ca. for 40 years but she sure remembers living in Paradise, Ca. where she was born and raised....thinks she still lives there...

[@stephenthomas5428]

Hi Marty, I think this is a brilliant idea. I myself look after my 90 year old mum and though her mind is as sharp as a pin she struggles with her mobility.When I return from my walks and wild camps in Wales she loves to listen to my stories and talk about years gone by camping with her and my dad .Its a connection I and my mum enjoy .I shall post a card from Wales first thing tomorrow.

[@Martyupnorth]

I’m sad to announce that my father passed away peacefully on February 27, 2019. Thanks for all your support these last few years.

[@urbanbirder123]

Marty, I have followed you on all of your adventures. This video has made you most human to me. I'm an RN. I understand this condition that your father is coping with, and of all the difficult decisions and reflections you and your family have faced. Thank you for not keeping this anguish from us. I will find a great postcard of Chicago and send it to you father. BTW, if I ever went camping with you I would be like Goldie Hawn in "Private Benjamin. "Okay, where are the condos?" A true arm chair adventurer, although I do lead weekly bird walks in the urban jungle of Chicago.

[@Martyupnorth]

Thanks Pat. There were some challenging moments in the last year, and there are more ahead. Chicago should remind Dad of work. He used to travel there all the time. I believe his company, Bayer, had a major north American office there. Cheers from Alberta.

[@dominik.pollozek]

Hah, I know someone here in Germany who used to work for Bayer close to Krefeld, Northrhine Westfalia. Let me see if they do have any postcards I could send to your dad.

[@Martyupnorth]

Thank you Dominik. My mother and father actually lived in Cologne, Germany in the 1990s. Dad spent his entire career working for Bayer.

[@dominik.pollozek]

How cool. Have you ever been to Germany? Let me see what I can do for your dad. :-)

[@nvtruant5994]

Beautiful seeing you with your father. ❤️

[@Martyupnorth]

Thank you so much!

[@charlesvincett84]

Hi Marty.. I will do this tomorrow. I have been through something similar with both my parents so I have some idea of what you are going through. All the best and thank you for sharing this and your other videos.

[@theoutdoorangler1173]

So sad to see, my close friend’s mother is fastly succumbing to the affects of ALS. She has close to a year to live her life. It’s been a real struggle. I hope the best for your father and hope things in the future go smoothly!

[@ColemanOutdoors]

This is a real neat idea, Marty! I will absolutely have a postcard in the mail for your dad on Monday. Hope this will brighten his and your family's day.

[@tdparks]

I enjoy your videos Marty. Postcard just mailed from Michigan

[@KevinB-mg5mn]

Marty glad to help, prays for him and your family. Would you be willing to share a little about your father e.g. where he grew up, profession, hobbies etc which may help in our comments on the post cards.

[@Martyupnorth]

Thanks Kevin. Dad grew up in Ontario, the son of a WWII veteran and a mother who was a librarian. Life as a kid was rough for him. He graduated high school and met my mother, a beautiful French girl from Quebec City, at a Beach Boys concert. Shortly after they were married and had 2 kids, me and my sister Marie. That put an end to my mom's dream of becoming an airline stewardess. Dad worked various sales jobs in the 70s and 80s, and realized that he needed to get a university degree to advance. When my sister and I both went to university that gave dad the motivation to finally do the same thing. He got a degree in business when he was in his late 40s, and that opened up new work opportunities. His company, Bayer, moved him to Germany for a few years and Morocco for 5. They retired back in Ontario, in a small town called Tobermory, where dad could pursue his life-long passion of sailing. He had many boats over the years, but his last boat was probably his favorite. It was a 1982 Nonsuch 26 that he sailed on week-long adventures on Lake Huron. The boat was called Stray Cat. I just sold that boat a few months ago. Otherwise Dad didn't have many hobbies. He loved my Mom, Ethel, and just enjoying the solitude of their lake-front home in Tobermory. My sister has a son named Benoit, named after my paternal Grandfather. I have three sons named Nicolas, Patrick and Raymond. I also have a daughter named Sarah. Dad speaks French, English, German, Arabic and Spanish. He learned Spanish from spending many winters in Mexico and Costa Rica. Cheers.

[@RanksProductionsGe]

You are doing a great job guys stay bless hit bell for more

[@r188ops8]

Hi Marty, not very often I’m emotionally moved by things, but this hit home with my mother having a similar illness. There’s a card on the way for your father of possibly one of the most beautiful buildings (Durham Cathedral) in the world not far from where I live, all the best 👍🏻......Paul

[@Martyupnorth]

thanks Paul. Send my best wishes to your mother from Canada. Cheers.

[@jameshunt1221]

pops is looking great; no worrries, we have eternal life in Christ. In my own life , I have found that this life is not about me etc... this life is about Christ , long story. Spend as much time as possible with your loving father ; he appreciates it. take care.

[@Martyupnorth]

Thanks James.

[@nanchesca3950]

Sorry Marty that your dad and your family is going through this, must be very difficult especially when you're several provinces over. My mom got diagnosed with ALS last year and deteriorated quickly. She was in Ontario also and me all the way out here in BC, was really difficult to be so far away. All the best and I'll be happy to send a postcard!!

[@Martyupnorth]

Thank you so much. We moved Dad to Ottawa because that's where my sister lives. She's employed in the health care industry, so she has a lot of contacts. I live in Alberta, but luckily I travel a lot. I have booked half a dozen trips to the east this year, and all of them go through Ottawa. Cheers

[@markholbrook3949]

I think dementia in our senior population is in someways as devestating or possibly more devestating than the premature loss of a loved one.. Its a terrible thing and needs more funding... God Bless

[@Martyupnorth]

Last week I asked the people at the home about the oldest resident. As a matter of curiosity I also asked about the youngest. They said Dad, at 74, was considered young. The real shock came when they told me they have patients as young as 45-50 with dementia. That's scary.

[@markholbrook3949]

@@Martyupnorth That is scary...

[@ColemanOutdoors]

Hey Marty, I was delayed in sending a card and then I was told that your postal service was having "problems". Any suggestions on holding off or should I just send it? I'd hate for the card to get lost in a holding pattern of sorts.

[@Martyupnorth]

Hi and thanks. There should be no problems. It's a rotating strike. They pick a different city every day. Canada Post strikes are an annual tradition. They always complain about the same things. The big issue now is still job security. They're against Canada Post relocating workers from busy quiet areas to busy areas. They don't realize they're in competition with e-mail, UPS and private couriers. It's like when the taxi drivers went on strike to protest Uber. Somewhere there's probably a group of telegraph operators playing cards all day because of their 1954 contract. Crazy stuff.

[@ColemanOutdoors]

@@Martyupnorth oh that is just sad! USPS guy was telling me they AREN'T allowed to strike here. I'm sure they would if they could, so thank goodness for that..how else would I get my junk mail. Go on and raise the postage too...I dont care...we've options like you said. Haha...love the comparison too. Sounds almost as bad as our fast food workers striking. What a world!! Thanks for the clarification...I will get that card in the mail today. Best wishes to you and your family.

[@Martyupnorth]

Coleman Outdoors as you know by now, my father passed away yesterday (February 27th). I’m in Ottawa today, taking care of his estate. I’m at my sister’s house. She collected all the cards that were sent. She and my nephew agree that your hand-drawn card is their favourite. I’ll do a follow up video in the coming days. Thanks my friend.

[@ColemanOutdoors]

@@Martyupnorthohh that is very kind to say. I'm glad you all like it and most of all that it brought some joy to your dad during his remaining days. Had I known he was a sailor I would have done a ship. Take care and my best to your family. I look forward to the follow-up video, but take your time.

[@northernbeadle]

Post card on its way!

[@timmytool7805]

done

[@Martyupnorth]

Thank you so much. This is going to be awesome.