Gail Siemko

John Morrow and Vicki Morris Morrow.

It was a pleasure entertaining Vicki and John Morrow, over the long weekend at our Georgian Bay retreat. We hadn’t seen each other for a few months and quickly caught up as the incessant talking continued during the entire time. I don’t think there was ever a lull. We chatted and enjoyed reviewing the busy lifestyles that we live in which was crazytown, but it’s always been that way. 

We have been close friends for over sixty years and laughter has always been a key factor in our relationship that permeates the air, guffawing after John would update us on one of his recent trips or incidents at work and play with the “people”.

I remember being introduced to Dennis first during a summer party at Glen Turpin’s house, a friend from high school whom I hadn’t met before from Hamilton, On. There were so many individuals filling all of the nooks and crannies that I couldn’t believe it. That was July 24/75 when John wore his red Afro and bell-bottoms along with high stacked shoes, which was the style as Dennis was attired in a Superman t-shirt, bell-bottoms and desert boots. Ultimately the large gathering included more guys than gals and even though I was only 13 years old, I felt comfortable with the age difference of 16 and 17 years old respectively. Although, I told a fib and convinced everyone that I was turning 16 years old in September, which was uncovered by his younger brother Len, who was in my home room, who uncovered my secret.

Oh well, that’s history so they say. Getting back to John, he had a muscle car, a Barracuda that everyone wanted to catch a ride in, which included me albeit, at that time, we walked everywhere. Especially my girlfriend Tina, who went with me in tow to all of these unsupervised parties, all gussied up and decked out in the finest that we could afford on our babysitter’s allowance. It was during the early part of our courtship, I learned John and Dennis had become friends at a very early age while living on the same street and playing hockey with the other children on their block. I believe they became fast friends and enjoyed close relationships with siblings and parents, which I later adopted as my own. I know that both John and Dennis kept an extremely close bond and maintained it over the time period, as evidenced by so many of our family memories and outings that have been shared every time we get together and here on my blog.

It was during this period of time that I remember attending numerous gatherings where teens go to share music and make new memories, at places like the Dairy Queen, the Red Barn and Hutches where I worked for two summers. My friends would make fun of my attire which consisted of a hairnet, nylon uniform and orthopedic shoes to which I would end up permeating the surroundings, so I guess I deserved the chiding. During this period I would wash up quickly and change into a new mini skirt and bubble top attending the next Glen Turpin party with threats of police sirens always being heard in the background of Grand Funk Railroad. It was a wondrous time and even though I was holding down my full-time studies and two part-time jobs, I was able to keep it all together. My parents forced me to bring Dennis and John home as I was spending more time with these unknown individuals than I did with my family.

It wasn’t long until John and ultimately both Dennis and I met the formidable Miss Vickie Morris Morrow where she and I became fast friends along with the boys. I distinctly remember how pretty Vicki was with her big Brown eyes and luxurious brown hair, a body like Marilyn Monroe and with intelligence to boot! She was 16 going on 17 and went to Grade 13 with the boys, where somehow John was able to impress her with his plethora of musical knowledge and Barracuda. We all attended concerts together with Guy Taylor and Cindy, enjoying life as it presented itself in every aspect of our spectrum. The boys had full-time studies and part-time jobs leaving little precious time for partying; however, we managed to squeeze a modicum of time to energize each other with ongoing mischievousness and non-stop dancing to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Some of us drank beer and on rare occasions would smoke cigarettes to appear much older than we actually were. After graduating, attending College and University we all started to think of marriage, and working full-time, where both Vicki and I were hired at the CIBC and RBC respectively. John and Dennis both worked at MFM, the food chain, stocking shelves and earning a living while we all married within a year of each other.

Times have changed nowadays but back then it was the norm and to this day both of our relationships have stood the test of time and been married over fifty years for me and Dennis and and forty-nine for John and Vicki. I don’t know too many other people who can relate to this but I know how much we are enthralled when we gather and nothing changes; we just pick up where everything was left off. Our most recent gathering was eagerly anticipated by me, as I couldn’t wait to hear about The Morrows’ two daughters and their respective spouses, Lee-Anne and Cameron and Allie and Matt. I was extremely entertained by the regaling by both about their adorable grandchildren, five in total. It seems that Vickie is a hot commodity in the Morrow household, to which I am not surprised, being the perfect caregiver to all of her grandchildren regularly, in addition to working full-time. When discussing the grandchildren, Vicki has many photographs and stories that she personally shared, to which we were all privy and thoroughly ensconced. I just don’t know how she does it, in addition to her regular life with John, who is a caretaker full-time. I do know that John enjoys his lifestyle with walking adorable Penny, their family pet and yard work which includes the maintenance of his pergola and pet goldfish.

I cannot wait until our next gathering which is going to be either next month for a chili con carné dinner at their place after all of our mutual obligations. I just simply LOVE this couple and cannot get enough of John’s anecdotes. I do believe I drank over eight glasses of water just to keep up my saliva levels and was thrilled to gift them both with “The Man From Uncle Gift Series” as John is into collecting Retro Vintage items and this definitely fit the bill. In addition, we were enlightened about a new internet provider that will provide us with a deep discount on our present provider, and to that I say #supercalifragilisticexpaladocious Thank you for the great visit to you both John and Vicki and even though your battery died, the wait wasn’t too long until Jason from AAA showed up. Until next time.

Just G. xoxo