The Support of Joe and Maureen

  I want to start by saying thankyou for the phone calls throughout the 16 mos checking in on me to see how I was doing. The support was very important.

  We were fortunate enough to have had time to travel with both of you in February 2011 just before he left for his "quest". This was such a great trip. Thank you for having made all of the arrangement so that we could just focus on getting there and having some fun before he left for Canada.  

  You conveyed that you wished that there was more that you could do. The calls to me and to Denis meant a great deal. Joe you visited with Denis in Winnipeg back in the Spring of 2011. He thoroughly enjoyed the time with you and his siblings.

  Then, there was our memorable trip to Vancouver for Michael's wedding.

  The boys and Amber flew with me and we met Denis there. Maureen had made arrangements to house us all in the condo complex that they lived in. She had friends that gladly offered their condos for lodging while we were in the city for 7 days. Their generosity was incredible. It could not have been more perfect for all of us to be together during this time. The kids had not seen Denis in 8 mos.

  Maureen and Joe were so hospitable. They fed us several meals, drove us around to sight see and tolerated a large group in their quaint and cozy condo for 2.

  We have always enjoyed your company. Thank you for your constant support and love throughout.

 

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The Boys...2 Formidable Sons!

  Without my knowledge, Denis had spoken to both boys before leaving. He had asked them to look out for me, to take care of me and be there for me.  That, they certainly have done.

  We have spent so much time together. We have travelled, vacationed, cooked and baked. We have shared flavorful food and drinks, different wines and varieties of beers. The bottom line was that we were together. Denis shared in some of this as well when we would go to Canada.

  There have been countless conversations and heated debates. Never a dull moment around this group!! They helped me create the back yard "oasis". I needed the manpower for many of the laborous tasks but more importantly they were here spending time with me.

  Kyle would ask me if I was ok and Stephan would check in on me for the same reason. They were there on the really difficult days and I truly could count on them.

  Amber cooked and they had me over to their place for my birthday. I felt so content to have them in my life.

  Amber has been a part of our lives for the past 2 years or so. I have enjoyed her company. She and Stephan have grown a garden in our back yard and we have reaped the fruits of their labor! She also loves to cook and create new things. She and Stephan also rescued "Pele" within hours of her death. She is a blue pit bull mixed with who knows what. She has spent many hours with us as well.

  Stephan and Kyle's support, warmth, love, individuality, honesty, and honor have contributed to who I am and have become. They have taught me a great deal.

  Thanks for being exactly who you both are at every moment of every day!!

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Dad and Solange...The "Transport" Team!

  Well my father Fern and his partner Solange (now wife since May 2011) were here in AZ in the winter of 2011. They had been here in early January with us and then went on to stay in Yuma. We visited them in Yuma and then they came to stay with us here in Phoenix prior to heading back to Canada. My father had offered to take Denis to Canada knowing the risks of his possible arrest and being held up at the Canadian Border.  
  Needless to say they got through without a hitch. There was no one I trusted more to stay calm and to transmit that to Denis. They had 3 travel days to prepare.  Once in Canada, Dad and Solange saw Denis regularly for coffee or dinner etc.

 Our entire family went fishing in the Whiteshell after his wedding in May 2011. Dad paid for the fishing trip. We had a blast. 4 fun filled days in cottages and in the boat on the water fishing. Anita (my cousin), Bruno (my cousin), Stephan (my son), Amber (his girlfriend), Kyle (my son), Gil (my brother), Dad, Solange, Gaylynn (my sisiter in law), her boys C and M, myself and Denis. Dan (my brother) was working. What a beautiful gift...time with people you love.
   Denis had been gone for 9 mos and his trial date was fast approaching. My Dad and Solange made it back here to our home for New Year's Eve. We all created a fabulous meal with the kids. They stayed with me for one month and thank goodness as there were some difficult moments during January 2011.
  They found a cozy motel location about 2 miles from my home. They were there 2 mos. I had dinner with them twice a week there and a few gatherings at my house in between. We went hiking and walking and shopping. They listened to me "tell the tale" so many times with new twists and turns. They were interested and wanted to be current on the goings on. I so recognize the worth of their presence during this time.
  In no time the one year anniversary of Denis being gone was upon us.
  By July 25th, 2012, he had been gone 16 mos and my father was bringing him back across on the USA side this time. The risks of being arrested for the "previous" outstanding warrant in AZ was present despite the new order. Having a Border Patrol Officer give him some trouble about how long he had been in Canada was possible as well. Every personality is a gamble.
  Again...there was no one more fit for this "transport' but my dad. He stated he was bringing his son in law to the airport to fly back home. Denis told him he had been in Canada a few months visiting family and taking care of some personal business.
  They were waived on through!!!!!
  Denis sent me a text that he was across and when I picked that up on my phone I let out a yell...Woooooooohoooooooo!...I was so ecstatic. I felt as though I were floating... I kid you not! He was coming home...
  I booked his flight as soon as I could for the next day. They all spent the night in Grand Forks and shared a magnificent "happy hour".
  Thank you Dad and Solange!

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Roger And Gail...Thanks

  Roger is Denis' cousin and Gail is his wife. Both opened their home to Denis at anytime he needed. Denis spent some time at their cottage as well. They shared meals and drinks and time together. Roger let Denis use his motorcycle "bike" so that he could enjoy a few rides with others who had bikes. They also went on some rides as a group.

  The truck that you offered to Denis for countless months was so appreciated. The cell phone he utilized that was yours, was crucial in his communication with numerous parties during his case.
  Your generosity of lending us your boat to go fishing with my Dad in May 2011 was deeply appreciated Roger. Thank you for sharing.

  Denis was able to keep busy with tasks and odds and ends that Roger needed help with along the way. This helped to divert the pain and frustrations throughout the 16 mos.

  Denis also really enjoyed getting to know Mitchell on another level as a young man. Mitchell is their youngest son. Curtis, their oldest came to one of Denis' court hearings in support and that truly meant a great deal. Curtis actually knew "A" (Denis' son) in high school. He handed a few letters to A during those years. These letters that Denis had written were an attempt to reach out to his son earlier on. Curtis consented to doing this although he was never obligated. That will not ever be forgotten my dear.

  Roger and Gail...thankyou for the offers of picking me up on various occasions in Grand Forks, ND where I flew in to visit Denis. The offers are not forgotten. Your appearances at Denis' hearings...

  I am so grateful for what you have done, have offered and have given.

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Dan & Gaylynn & Boys

   Dan is my brother and Gaylynn is his wife. They have 2 young boys, M was 4 and C was 6 when Denis arrived in Canada last March 2011. Denis spent 5 months at my brother's from Aug - Dec 2011. They spent countless hours talking about the case and hashing out ideas and strategies. I hung my hat there most times I went to Winnipeg to visit. There was never a shortage of conversation regarding life and this adventure we were living. What Denis captured from his stay with Dan & Gaylynn is as follows:
  He was asked to leave his family home in January of 1997. His children were 4 and 6.  He had been a hands on father to his children from the moment of their birth. He then faced supervised and strained visits with his son and daughter through the 2 following years. The alienation process was in full force. He saw his children less and less and found himself wrapped up in a horrific, divorce/custody and access battle. The opportunity to see his children grow and flourish during those 2 years was next to non existent. The last visit he ever had with his children was in March of 1999.
  Denis and I met in June of 1999. My boys were just turning 7 and 9 yrs old. We have been together ever since.

  During one of our countless telephone conversations Denis mentioned that it was inexplainable how he felt life and its events were unfolding for him. He felt that everything that was going on was seemingly meant to be exactly that way, given the circumstances.
  He was an active participant in his children's lives from birth through 4 and 6. He was a very involved and hands on step father to my children from their ages of 7 and 9 through current day.
  The gap that he really missed out on is one of approximately 3 years.
  He felt it timely that he would be seen as the awesome Uncle Denis that our nephews loved sooooo much. Dan felt Denis' involvement with his sons was very important and that no gift could replace this human experience. He was the gift. C and M became very fond of their uncle and he was very active in their lives during the 16 mos spent in Canada.
  Denis felt grateful that he could witness and be a part of C and M's growing and changing over a 16 mos. between their ages of 4 and 6 through almost 6 and 8 (C will be 8 in a few mos). So much happens in this short time frame in a child's life. He felt as though his experience as a father through a child's life was complete. To be able to affirm and be witness to all of the changes and stages in any child's life through adulthood is amazing. He now knew what children do and how they are in that "gap" that he had missed.
  He was content in knowing that no matter who's biological child, he had been wholeheartedly involved in every developmental phase children go through from birth to adulthood. His fatherhood was somehow complete.

  I love you...my brother, Gaylynn and my spirited nephews.

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