Leaving Canada...

  I received a call from D late one evening on November 11th, 1999. He stated that he had done something he was not proud of. He had gotten into a fight with an individual named Barry who was a friend of a family member and had provided the ex-wife at some point with inside information. This was not surprising to D as it was indicative of his character. I did not know this man. D had allowed his emotions to get the best of him and it came to a head that night. Several people were indirectly involved in the incident but it was D who made the decision to go to where Barry was, knowing there might be a confrontation. Barry had a knife, they became entangled, there was a struggle and before long it was over. D left the house where it took place.  I did not condone the actions D opted to take but was supportive in moving beyond this incident. This was not D's character, however he was responsible for the choice he made. He owned it too. 
  December 1999 was a month to remember. D would take a leave of absence from his full time position at Canada Post to come to the states. We decided that he should see how things went before making any permanent decisions to leave his employment and homeland permanently. He arrived here in the evening on December 10th with his bicycle and a suitcase of clothes. He had driven straight through in his Ford Festiva. I am laughing as I write. He was taking the descent on I-10 from the San Fransisco Peaks at about 70-80mph and the car was shaking so badly but did not care as he just wanted to "get there." That he did. He felt bow legged and fatigued but I hugged him so tightly when I opened the apartment door. I was smiling all evening.
  Barry had sustained a few injuries that had landed him in the hospital. D was in turn charged with assault.
 We were unsure how the assault charges would affect him. The consequence of his actions would be determined in the months to come. For now he could remain in the US with us. We embraced every day that we were together.
  Happy New Year 2000!

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