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From the very start D-J fiercely, but in a gentle way, insisted there were no triplets, there were three unique individuals.
She had the foresight to lay out the independence groundwork for the three of them before they realized they needed it.
D-J could always be seen to ensure the kids experienced the little things in life in a fun way. She had as much fun as they did.
Evidenced more in the second picture😊, D-J was always there for life’s upsetting moments. A patient, reassuring loving hug resolves many issues.
And it was returned later...
Family time was always very important, and the more the merrier.
Despite the many hundreds of photos I’ve taken of D-J and family, only once did I get any reaction to having a camera in her face so often.
Few, if any, would be that patient.
Few, if any, would be that patient.
*Gord edit - I love this picture!
I made this for D-J last year, and had it printed on a zipper pouch to keep things in while at the hospital.
Lots of memories!
I miss Aunt DJ’s laugh.
It was full of life and really emphasized the type of person she was. Her laugh was contagious and she simply enjoyed the silliness of her family members so much.
It was full of life and really emphasized the type of person she was. Her laugh was contagious and she simply enjoyed the silliness of her family members so much.
In high school my best friend was Eddie Lynch and he had an older brother Chris who hung out in the same circle of friends. DJ had a friend, Jack Pinchineddy (not sure his first name was Jack or how to spell the last name). DJ and I were Christmas shopping at Fairview Mall and as we strolled down one of the wings she said “hey there’s Jack Pinchineddy’s brother”. I said “where’s Eddie’s brother” thinking this Jack guy was pinching him. This back and forth went on a bit until I realized what she was saying. We laughed hard that day and every time we recalled the incident over the years.
She had such a great laugh.
She had such a great laugh.
The memory that comes to me is a blast of a week we spent with you guys in Vancouver and how gracious DJ was when my grandmother took ill while we were there. We had to leave early and I just remember feeling such compassion from DJ - then of course the “magic mystery miracle” quoted at your wedding always stayed with me.
DJ calls me sunshine because she loves my smiling face in the classroom as she feels it's contagious and makes the room happy. And I always tell her if I am having a low day she us the one who brings smile in my face. When I was very low one gloomy day after I lost my beautiful, happy DJ suddenly sun rays fall on me...that made me feel like DJ telling me "I am here, girl....where is your smile?". I honestly believe she (her soul) will be happy when she sees everyone happy as she always keeps people around her happy.
I love you, DJ!!!
When Donna-Jean was about 4 or 5 years old her Santa wish was for a 'walking doll'. I remember the sheer delight on her face when she unwrapped that doll Christmas morning, and then took it for its first (or many) walks around the family room. She loved that doll. A sign of things to come, in time she would be walking her own kids by the hand around that same room.
What Julie wanted most to celebrate her university graduation was a trip to Vancouver to visit her aunt D-J and uncle Gord. They obliged, arrangements were made, and Julie and I flew out for a week just before Canada Day. D-J and Gord were wonderful hosts in their new home. We spent Canada Day at the port. The day was full of sunshine, laughs and fun. I can still see D-J's smiling face, patriotically decorated with a little red maple leaf on her cheek. We also enjoyed a day of Canadian music that Gord had worked to compile from his CD collection.
A day and a week to remember.
A day and a week to remember.
D-J was in Toronto now preparing to give birth. But her mom was in Kitchener - so near, yet so far. Mom didn't say anything outright - she would never want to inconvenience anyone - but I could sense that she really wanted to be with her daughter on this most special day. Mom already had eleven grandchildren and had seen them all shortly after being born. But still this was different - this was her daughter. Mom immediately accepted the offer to drive her to Mount Sinai in Toronto. We arrived in time to meet D-J coming out of the delivery room - from the expressions in their eyes, genuine smiles, shared soft words and even a few tears of joy, the strong mother-daughter connection was both obvious and heartwarming. On top of that we were also able to see the newborn's in their incubators within an hour of their arrival. Lucky us, and lucky me! It was so worth the trip!
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memories page
memories page