Gerry and Mary Ann Laing
Gerry and I met in 1975 at the Strathcona Hotel, Victoria, where I had just been hired as a server. Gerry was an employee there since 1968, and by the time I arrived, well established as being known as a character. He was the main bartender in Big Bad John's, the hillbilly bar known for it's outrageous comedy served with the drinks. Gerry, along with good friends who worked in there with him, set the theme where many of us were a bit afraid to drink in there. One might get a spider dropped on them by a rigged fishing wire while sipping on their drink, or music turned off so wild and hilarious jokes could be loudly delivered. Yes, that was where my future husband worked, he loved it, and so did I. We married in 1979 and by 1980 the kids began to arrive. I was an at home mom to our three children. Gerry continued to maintain his celebrity status as Big Bad John's bartender, Gerry, through the subsequent decades of our married life. A dad at home all day, and gone to work from supper time until 4 am. Yes, unusual compared to most families, but we were known as a fun family and "the house that never slept". Gerry wasn't going to retire at 65, but unknowing to him as to why, he found he couldn't keep up with the physical demand of his job. I suspected his age was telling him time to step back. It was me and our kids that knew something just was not right with him. After three years of asking his doctor what's wrong, finally we got the diagnosis that he had Parkinson's in August of 2017. It wasn't a shock, really, not after searching for the why's of all of his symptoms that were making life so difficult for him. He took the news in his usual good humoured stride. It didn't change his sense of humour, nor mine, our saving strength that seems to always be with us, no matter how tough life gets, we manage to find ways to laugh.In the summer of 2019, just when PWP opened, we arrived to find out if it would be right for Gerry.
It has been more than "right" for Gerry. In many ways it has filled that void of loss he feels from not being able to be in Big Bad John's with his customer friends, he is a social person and missed it terribly. From the first time we entered the PWP centre we both felt a light of hope shine for us, a sense of being accepted no matter how bad his jokes are, and a place to share how we feel along with others who understand, and care.
We are both happy to be part of our PWP family. The staff and volunteers are wonderful and encouraging. One of the worst parts of this pandemic is not being able to be at the centre because we miss everyone. Exercise is important to do at home, but it sure isn't as much fun. PWP is vitally important to both of us, and so appreciated!
