The many long conversations I've enjoyed with Gate and his cousin Roly have often been rambling narratives that jump from memory to memory, no direction in particular, more like a stream of consciousness. Once they get talking, I sit back and let them go.
Gate and Jean spent more than one Christmas with the Connors. They always welcomed the invitations from Lena or Tom and more often than not, accepted them. They'd put the many gifts in the car and make the long drive from Ottawa, occasionally with cousin Roly in tow. Upon arrival, they'd settle in for a week long (or more) visit.
These were two very different families merging into one, enjoying a special closeness that was comfortable and easy. When they talk about their time at the Connor's country home, the affection everyone felt for each other rises to the surface. According to Gate, "besides the bond I felt with Tom and Lena, I really loved Tom Jr. He was like a son".
He had his own son, but over time, he drifted away and severed ties with all of the Lepines. This became a dark cloud that would hang over festive family events like Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Being the glass-half-full kind of guy Gates is, his laughter echoed through the house and made for a fun holiday. I'm told there was always a lot of beer and rye whiskey each day and night, but with guitar in hand, the singing would begin when they walked through the door.
On many of these evenings, Tom would reach for the fiddle, not something Tom's fans would see much of. The visits would be typical, the adults sitting down to play card games while Tom Jr. would be a rambunctious young boy romping in the snow.
Always, whenever Tom and Gate had time together, they'd write songs.