The Men Who Teach Us Patience | Jan’s Blog

My father Jack was one of the most influential people in my life.

He was my adopted father and raised me from the time I was a baby. We did not share the same DNA, but that never mattered. What mattered was that he saw me-really saw me. He had an extraordinary ability to recognize who I was at my core and nurture that person with kindness, patience, and quiet wisdom.

Jack was a gentle man. He was not loud in his teachings, but steady. He taught me that strength and kindness can exist together. That patience has value. That people matter.

He passed away when I was only twenty-two years old.

I am sixty-five now. More than four decades have passed, yet he has never really left me. When life becomes difficult or uncertain, I still find myself hearing his voice and remembering his guidance. The people who shape us don’t disappear when they leave this world. They live on in the values they taught us and the love they gave us.

Perhaps that is why Whisky Jack means so much to me.

Named in honour of my father, it carries a little piece of his legacy. Like the man himself, whisky teaches patience. It cannot be rushed. Time transforms it into something richer, deeper, and more complex. Wisdom works much the same way.

The older I get, the more I appreciate those patient souls who help guide us through life. I see it in my own son with his daughters. I see it in grandfathers, stepfathers, adoptive fathers, uncles, mentors, coaches, neighbours, and friends. The people who show up. The people who nurture. The people who teach, encourage, and love.

Fatherhood is not defined by biology alone. It is defined by presence.

This June at Merridale, we are celebrating all the dads and father figures who have helped shape our lives. As a small tribute, Whisky Jack is on special throughout the month.

So, slow down for a thoughtful sip. Raise a glass to the fathers, grandfathers, mentors, and father figures who have walked, or do walk, beside you. Give thanks for their patience, their guidance, and their love.

I know I’ll be thinking of Jack every time I pour a glass of Whisky Jack. Who will you be grateful for?