David Frankin, age 89, was born in Vancouver BC and raised in Victoria. His father died when he was an infant, and his mother, Jeannette, raised David and his older sister, Muriel, as a single mother. Jeannette had graduated from nursing school before he was born but her license wasn’t recognized in British Columbia so she became a dress maker and “informally” shared her nursing knowledge with others. David particularly admired the soft, gentle way she managed very difficult situations, including her ability to ask for what was needed “for the children,” providing David and his sister with food and shelter despite a very modest income of $30/month. She also provided wise counsel to help other parents care for their children’s health needs.
At an early age, David was aware that his mother wanted him to have male role models, and she pursued opportunities for him to attend a private school with male teachers. After multiple rejections, a local Catholic school accepted David for the tuition his mother could afford: $1.00 per month. While David felt the bitter disappointment of rejection before this school finally accepted him, his mother’s perseverance taught him two very important life lessons: first, don’t give up; and second, don’t take rejection personally.
David “came of age” during the Great Depression, but his mother struggled to make ends meet from his infancy. As a young child, David recalls the family owned two goats. While his mother worked as a dressmaker, David and his older sister brought the goats to empty fields around Victoria and tied them up to feed. In return, the goats provided them with milk, cream, and butter.
When asked about his greatest fear, David responded, “History repeating itself.” Raised in the Liberal Catholic Church, the local priest in his small community congregation repeatedly emphasized that fighting and war were not the way to behave, which helped shaped David’s views about war. Despite a strong desire to support his mother country of England and honor Queen Victoria, David was never drafted during WWII and considered himself a conscientious objector. This was far from a popular view in the 1940s, and many people considered him simply “messed up.” He credits his priest with supporting him through this difficult time and helping him honor the values he was raised with: “to love one another, including people with different belief systems and values.”
In 1939, David was given the opportunity to attend college through a fellowship program. As a result, he became an educator himself, first in primary school mathematics and then in sociology at the University of British Columbia. Rising above his family’s financial limitations to attend and then teach college level courses is David’s proudest accomplishment. He has both witnessed and participated in many opportunities to bring people together to work out their differences, and appreciating them.
Perhaps David’s greatest teacher (beyond his mother, who he admires more than any other single individual) was Dr. Emma Smiley, president of Victoria Truth Centre and teacher/counselor as well. The values reinforced by Mrs. Smiley have shaped David’s life, including: (1) Don’t fight; (2) Be kind to everyone, especially people with different ideas and values; (3) Be kind to animals; and (4) Don’t accentuate differences. David was not only a student of Emma Smiley’s; he ultimately coached speakers at the Center as well.
David is a life-long learner. He believes he has discovered the secret to staying vibrant within the past five years through a simple yet profound lesson: “You’re not alone.” To David, this means asking for help from the Holy Spirit; a higher power reminding him “I am here always.” Conflict has been troubling for David, but now when he finds himself in conflict with someone, even in daily matters, he asks for help and a resolution is always forthcoming. He no longer feels the need to figure it out or push for what he wants. He understands that his way is not the only way, and others may have a better solution. He now simply stands back and “allows the healing to unfold.”
Not surprisingly, David has been involved in the field of holistic health for over 20 years, working with human chakras (energy centers) and auras (energy fields). Emma Smiley was his inspiration for this work, which he still practices today.
When asked what he would change if given the opportunity to live life over again, David confidently responded, “Nothing!” Shaped by a culmination of rich life experiences, David Franklin would be not the person he is today without following the path which has unfolded for him over the past 89 years, and it continues to be a rich and rewarding life journey!
