I have lived the majority of my adult life here in Ontario. To me that simply means that I have just as many good and bad memories to share with my Ontario family as I do with my Manitoba family. Clearly I have been blessed with having two wonderful families that I am proud to say I am part of.  As time goes on you tend to draw closer to some more than others and some become as important to you as your own flesh and blood. A few days ago I…. we lost one of them. I have said in the past that you will no doubt meet a few people in your life that have something inside of them that makes them special. Something they do, say, or just simply the ability to make you feel like you are special when you are around them. Uncle Dennis was one of them for me. There was never a time that I was not welcomed by him with a handshake and a smile. He was authentic and engaging and he had just enough of a twisted humor to make our conversations rate “M”.  In fact, I all my memories of him, I can’t ever picture him without a smile. He always had time to talk and he always had time to listen.  To know him was to adore him.

I’ll never forget one time early in mine and Kelly’s relationship; she and I were at Tanya and Robs wedding (Dennis’s Daughter) and Kelly and I had to leave a little earlier than normal. We did what we thought were adequate goodbyes but it turns out we missed a few people. As we were getting into our car, Dennis, Jim and Ken (all uncles) came out to the parking lot a little miffed that we didn’t say goodbye to them. Kelly and I were sure we said goodbye but 30 minutes of goodbyes before we left and a few more beverages consumed by the 3 of them in that 30 minutes might have influenced their behavior lol. It was a “where the heck are you guys going?” and it was directed at me because I was the driver of the car. Uncle Jim; “How can you guys leave without saying goodbye?”. Uncle Dennis; “Get back inside and have a beer with us” looking at me “you can have water like a little girl but come back in, the night is not over”. Of course we had to leave but before we did, uncle Dennis walked up to me and gave me my first “Reid” Manly hug followed my Uncle Jim and Uncle Ken all to say goodbye to Kelly and I. Although I always felt welcomed in the Reid family, that was the first day that I felt like I was part of the family and it started with Dennis, Jim and Ken. Since that day there have been many manly hugs to say goodbye from Dennis and all three of them. My last one with Uncle Dennis was at Christmas when he was here at our place for Reid / Deneka Christmas on Boxing Day. Although that was not the last time I saw him, it was his last Reid hug for me. The last time I saw Dennis was on New Years Eve. The last few years we have been getting together with Dennis, Joanne, Mike and Natasha (Natasha is Dennis and Joanne’s Daughter). I did not get a chance to say goodbye as he and Joanne left early while I was out of the house for something, but I carry two very dear memories of him from that day. I remember how happy he looked and the great smiley conversation we had sitting on the couch and watching the hockey game. His color commentary made the game that much better to watch regardless of the outcome. He and I also talked about the fact that he remembered that my first New Years Eve party in Ontario was with him, Joanne, Mike and Natasha at Dennis and Joanne’s home (1994-1995). I told him, not only was that my first Ontario New Year’s Eve party, it was the first time I said “I love you” to Kelly. I was touched that he thought that was very cool and that he told me he was truly happy that Kelly and I were together, that he thought we were good parents and how much he adored Jaiden and Julia. The night of New Year’s Eve has always had a little more meaning to me because Kelly and I took our first step into what is now our future. Now New Year’s Eve will have a little more meaning added to it because of the validation I got from Uncle Dennis.
Dennis;  I will miss you. I can be at peace knowing you are taking with you a little piece of all those who love you and wish you could still be around, but heaven has other plans for you. I will always carry a little part of you with me and think on you with fond memories, warm feelings and share with friends and family my memories of you. I have mentioned your name in my prayers and asked a few other special people that I’ve lost to keep an eye out for you. And… if you don’t mind, can you put in a good word for me when you get there. Vichnaya Pamyat. See you soon…. and bye for now.