BY SCOTT HADDOW
Wild Northerner staff
It has been a tough time for the Davidson family, but their passion for the outdoors has helped them deal with several losses.
DJ Davidson is a single father of two children, Gracelyn, 10, and Noah, eight. He is also the stepfather of 15-year-old Emily. He works as a rubber technician at Elasto-Valve Rubber Products Inc.
In seven months, from October 2013 to May 2014, the family was hit hard as DJ’s grandmother passed away. Soon after, DJ’s ex-wife and mother of the two kids, Mel, passed of a sudden heart attack. In May 2014, DJ’s father, whom he had a tight bond with and who put him on a path to love the outdoors, died from heart failure.
It was a difficult time. The Davidson family uses experiences from the outdoors as a form of therapy. The deaths of three close family members made Davidson realize time with loved ones was more important than anything else. When they get free time, the Davidson family can bee seen on lakes across Northern Ontario fishing and taking breaks to go swimming and exploring.
“It was a struggle and it has been a struggle since,” Davidson said with emotions over taking him. “I feel as a family we have become stronger and closer as a whole. We still have ups and downs, but we learn from it and get better in time. By being in the wilderness, it lets us appreciate the good things we have in life and bring back good memories.”
Davidson’s love for the outdoors is classic. He was taken fishing by his dad when he was four and fell in love with the sport. He has been fishing ever since.
Davidson, 36, is trying to impress a respect and love for the outdoors in his children. It is working.
“I can see the change in my kids and it’s for the better,” he said. “We get outdoors because we want to go. Noah doesn’t wait too long to ask to go fishing again. He is always asking. It has been a big help for me, too. I feel my time with them counts as something meaningful. I hope they will continue to enjoy what God has created for us and love it. I use these journeys to relax and grab a fishing rod or even go on a hike to bring up our spirits. I hope what I do for them, they, in return will show their own kids what the wilderness is all about and how good it can be for everyone.”
DJ knows it is going to take a long time to heal from the losses his family has suffered since October 2013. He has had to face a lot of challenges in life. None harder than the day he had to explain to his children that their mother had passed away. It has been these moments that have helped make Davidson stronger, not weaker.
“I had to bring up the courage to tell the kids their mom is gone,” he said. “It was the roughest thing ever. It hurt a lot. It made me realize you have to make the most of your life because it is special. I try to live life to the fullest now and enjoy everything I can with my kids.”
There is no denying what DJ is doing is having a beneficial impact on his children. They all look forward to getting outside with their dad for a new adventure. Noah gushed about trips taken by boat, snow machine and foot. He loves to see animal tracks, snow-covered trees and waterfalls and climbing rocks and making cabins. His favourite thing is fishing. Noah enjoys placing bets with his dad on who can catch the biggest fish and chewing on sunflower seeds. DJ doesn’t have to worry about his kids not picking up on his lessons. They are taking them to heart.
“I want to be like my dad,” Noah said. “He is fun and we laugh and smile a lot.”
It isn’t so much the activity done outside that means the most to all three kids. It’s the time Noah, Gracelyn and Emily spend outside with their dad.
“Our dad cares for us and makes us happy,” Gracelyn said. “I feel special when I am with him. Spending time with my dad in the country is relaxing and I learn new things.”
DJ works long hours. He doesn’t complain about life. He doesn’t let it drag him down. He keeps his head up high and sets a fine example for his kids and other people to follow. Life can be full of adversity, but rising above it and overcoming it only inspires others. DJ’s cousin, Andrew Tinker, is impressed with his family member’s resiliency and devotion to his children through thick and thin.
Tinker sees a man who loves his kids.
“He puts his children first and always first,” Tinker said. “DJ finds ways of enjoying time with his children. He brings them all over to different areas to fish and ride the tube. He takes pictures of them at soccer and makes montages on Facebook. Christmas is always special because he does his best to make them happy. He takes them sledding, sliding and skating during the break and visits family with them.”
DJ and his family are making the most of their time. They look forward to making more memories outdoors.
“We will keep on doing it no matter what happens,” DJ said. “The kids enjoy it and that is the main thing. Just seeing them smile and laugh when they catch a fish or go swimming off the boat, means everything to me. That helps me feel better.”
Davidson family perseveres through losses with fishing
All photos: James Hodgins