I'll start by saying, except for all those great Christmas presents my children have given me over the years and from my husband of course….
Now on to my amazing Christmas present – 3 months early. First I have to set the scene. I grew up on CBC Radio. Mom had the radio on all day and she only listened to CBC. It was in the background as she did her chores in the house and I never really paid attention to it, it was more like white noise. In the car the station was often on CBC Radio given that my parents controlled the selections. It wasn't until we were teenagers with driver's license in hand that we got to turn that radio knob and choose our listening pleasure. I was a teenager in the mid to late 70's, and like everyone else we listened to the Rock stations blaring out (I hate to say it), disco music and then later we could find stations playing punk rock music. I had a clock radio in my room and I closed the door and turned on the radio and listened to what most other teenagers were listening to. Given a choice, CBC Radio would have been the last station I would have turned to.
Fast forward to today and CBC is now the ONLY radio station I listen to. I admit, I am older than 16 now by 31 years, and fortunately I have had time to mature (I can hear my husband laughing at that one). So what changed? Living in Slave Lake, Alberta (29 years and counting) and driving 2.5 to 3 hours to get to Edmonton, growing up in Southern Ontario and NOT listening to country music and finding that CBC really was the only choice. I was a reluctant listener at first. In my early 20s I found myself questioning what the heck I was doing listening to my “parent's” radio station. How far had I descended down that hole of “becoming my parents”? Given that I had a child and children bring out those traits quickly, I was already at the bottom, I might as well enjoy it there.
I came to terms with listening to CBC Radio quickly and embraced the station wholeheartedly. It was what kept me awake and engaged as I made that trip to Edmonton numerous times. Long trips became bearable knowing that I would have CBC as my “friend” for the trip with people like Bill Richardson, Sheila Rogers, Peter Gzowski, the Dead Dog Cafe gang, the Edmonton/Calgary group who led the morning, noon and afternoon shows, Jonathan Goldstein and so many more. The shows and hosts were eclectic, exposing me to ideas, new music, old music, new people, new places, good books, hot topics, and different viewpoints. I was hooked. And history repeated itself, my children were now “stuck” listening to CBC.
I looked forward to trips on Sundays (I only listen to radio when traveling), and coming home at 4:00 pm when “Tapestry” came on with Mary Hynes. I loved her show about faith and spirituality. If we had to stop to get gas, I would delay as long as I could so I wouldn't miss a moment of the show. I would get home and write down the people she had interviewed and often get their books to read. It was so fascinating and touched my soul. One year I did the MS 150 (two days of riding a bike for 185 kms from Leduc to Camrose and back to raise money for MS) and my friend loaded “Tapestry” podcasts on her I-pod and lent it to me for the event. It was the most enjoyable trip ever. The dreaded bike ride became bearable with my “friend” Mary Hynes along for the ride. Her soothing voice, amazing guests and soul-searching topics kept me riveted over two days.
So it was a great surprise to find out my sister Peggy knew Mary Hynes. Peggy works with Mary's husband Randy at the Toronto Star. I had been in Toronto for a few days visiting my mother in her new place at the retirement home and staying with my sister Peggy and her family. Sunday night Peggy was taking me out for supper, just the two us, for some much needed sister time. Her husband Jeff was going to drop us off but first we had to stop at a friend's house and pick something up – something heavy that required my help. We stopped in a quaint Toronto neighbourhood, went to the door and a lovely woman answered. Peggy greeted her and then said, “this is your Christmas present from Jeff, this is Mary Hynes”. I was stunned! I was meeting Mary Hynes in person and not only that, she was inviting Peggy and me in for a drink before we went out for supper together! This was like meeting a rock star and finding out they lived close by and did pretty well the same things you did.
We came in for a wonderful drink, met her charming teenage daughter who didn't believe that her mother's presence could be anyone's Christmas present. Another reason to feel at home with Mary. Her teenager was like mine, so unimpressed by what we do thinking their parents are so ordinary and boring. After a drink we walked up the street to a wonderful Italian restaurant and spent the next few hours eating, drinking and talking. After a few drinks I was probably talking more than I should and completely enjoying every moment. Pictures were taken, numerous stories told and I was more hooked than ever.
Why do I like CBC so much? Because of hosts like Mary. These are people who are intelligent, fun, interesting and who are like you and me. They invite us into their “home” on radio and you pull up a chair at the kitchen table, have a cup of tea or a glass of wine and enjoy the conversation. They talk about things that you want to hear about and give you perspectives that make you think. You are engaged and know that you are welcome to stay all day if you can or just pop in for a minute or two.
So thank you Peggy (and Jeff), this really was a great Christmas present for me. And THANK YOU Mary for being as warm, intelligent, interesting, charming, fun and welcoming in person as you are on radio. If you notice buses going by your house, don't worry, it will just be me leading groups on a tour of CBC radio host's homes. Merry Christmas.
