Several weeks ago now, our lives were turned upside down—without warning, without a chance to prepare. An accident—a senseless one, because there’s no other way to describe it. We were shaken, hurt, heartbroken, and terrified. Several weeks ago, my dear dad, you gave us the scare of our lives.
Just another ordinary curling tournament, like the many others we’ve attended. You’re on the ice with your team, throwing the first stone of the match. We aren’t there yet; we’ve gone out to dinner and to run a quick errand. When we got back, the ambulance was there, right outside the door. Mom had a feeling it was there for you. I refused to believe it; she couldn’t have had that premonition, but I caught someone’s eye—full of sadness and compassion—as he nodded. The room is silent; people are watching us. I ask if it’s my dad, and they tell me it is. Mom runs off; my oldest is crying; the little one doesn’t know what’s going on. You fell on the ice and hit your head.
You were rushed to the best hospital to treat your condition, and we waited a long time for the diagnosis. What caused this fall? We’ll probably never know. Various possibilities were ruled out, and we were relieved. You’re okay, you’re talking, you’re tired, but you’re my dad.
And then, yet another accident. You suffer from a condition that’s so rare it goes unnoticed. You suffered a stroke caused by blood that wasn’t draining properly. You had spasms that triggered a first stroke. Then, you suffered a seconde Stroke. We don't understand it, and we can't explain it.
You’re here—you’re a dad even though you’re not. You’re so small, so delicate, yet so strong at the same time. I’d love to hold you so tight, take you in my arms, and turn back time. I wish everything could be the way it was before. Mom misses you, the girls miss you, your son misses you… I miss you. We’re staying strong for you, because you need us.
A day like any other. A sport like so many others. And yet, on that day, everything changed. We had to take a different path, but we’ll walk with you, every day, until you come back.