David Johnston - The Idea of Canada: Letters to a Nation

There were three constants in our life growing up with our dad: driving, reading, and writing. He drove us all over the place to our social activities, sports practices, hockey games, and, later on, to and from university when we needed to be dropped off or picked up, or just wanted to come home for a visit. He logged a lot of miles in our family station wagon. It never really crossed our minds that he had a day job beyond driving (often through the night). He was always there when we needed him. He would joke that the pay wasnt great but the company was pretty good.

The second constant was reading. He read to us in the evenings and on weekends from a very early age. Many of the stories he shared (C.S. Lewiss Narnia series, The Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables, The Hobbit) helped shape our views and values growing up and initiated our understanding of the world beyond the communities we lived in. Our dad now continues the reading tradition with our children who have always referred to him as Grampa Book.

The third constant was writingand those who have had to interpret our dads handwriting will be grateful that these letters can be so easily read in print!

When we went away to school and, as young adults, started to travel, our dad wrote to each of us, often every morning. We cant recall the number of letters he wrote but we do remember he always took the time to write. He would share thoughts and information on what was going on at work and at home, often with some passing wisdom on life. He wrote to connect with us and connect us to each other. Mostly he just wanted each of us to know that he loved us.

The only thing our father loves as much as his family is his country. So it is no surprise to us that he chose to share his passion and love for Canada by writing letters to Canadians. This country has given our parents so much, in particular the opportunity to build meaningful lives and careers. And in these last few years, the privileged vantage point, in their respective roles, to deepen their understanding of the country and expand the chance to give back.

Our dad is as principled, progressive, and loving as anyone we know. Each of us has benefited tremendously from our father-daughter road trips, his storytelling, and his letter writing. We know he shares these letters in the same spirit he shared letters with us as a genuine expression of love and to highlight what makes this country so great its people. These letters may inspire others to share their own reflections on our country with the people they love.

Deborah, Alexandra, Sharon (Jr.), Jenifer, and Sam Catherine Johnston