E-Mail
Print
tool name
closeKeith Johnson wears his emotions on his athletic wear sleeve.
He also lets them flow on the pages of his new self-published book, "Father's Day: A Climber's Journey to Fatherhood."
A native of Kent, Johnson moved to Whatcom County several years ago when one of his two daughters enrolled at Western Washington University. He landed a job working with kids at Se Eye Chen, an in-patient home run by Lummi Nation for troubled American Indian youths.
-
READ THE BOOK
For a copy of "Father's Day," by Keith Johnson, send an e-mail to crossingzion@hotmail.com or to mattmagrath@comcast.net.
Price: $19.99.
What he saw there — some children with absent or abusive fathers — confirmed his view that active, caring dads are vital to the well-being of youngsters.
"The 'dad thing' is huge anytime you deal with addicts, with at-risk kids," said Johnson, who lives at Sandy Point.
His thoughts about fathers also reflect his personal, painful experience. Johnson has gone through two marriages and periods of depression. "Father's Day" includes accounts of marital fights, and outbursts in front of his then-young daughters.
He describes how he found joy and strength, and escape from loneliness, climbing mountains.
"I try to get at the emotions," he said, "because I'm an emotional guy."
Now 52, Johnson is on good terms with his daughters and himself.
He has written articles for outdoor magazines, and previously wrote "Crossing Zion," which began as a story about a life-changing trip to Zion National Park and evolved into a memoir.
He began writing his new book a year ago after a friend and former boss at Se Eye Chen, Matt Magrath, suggested the idea. Magrath, the Lynden father of two sons in college and a daughter in high school, is now director of a Lummi Nation dorm for high school students.
He and Johnson would walk along the Nooksack River sharing stories and ideas about fatherhood, and about their own dads. Magrath's praise for his friend's book adorns the back cover, and he's helping to spread the word about Johnson's latest work.
"It's just real," Magrath said.
-
All L.P.N.s and Caregivers
Click job title for more info -
Drivers Wanted!
BROWN LINE, LLC -
COLLECTIONS
SB&C, Ltd -
Caregivers Wanted
Click job title for more info -
Warehouse Manager
HeathTecna
@Nyx.CommentBody@