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Hi Andrew and Ela,
I thought of another memory with Daniel that I wanted to share with you –
It was the: Vancouver Sun Run 2003 The two of you had gone away on a holiday somewhere warm and Daniel was wanting to go in the Sun Run. I had already planned to go in that run and when I learned that Daniel wanted to go, offered to be with him and take care of him for the event – it was a pleasure to do this, as I knew how much Daniel loved to run. When I saw how massive the crowd was for the Sun Run, I started to feel nervous about ensuring that we wouldn’t get separated. I crouched down to eye level with Daniel and started to emphasize the importance of staying together and that we would both need to work hard at making sure that happened. In watching him nod his head, I began to feel confident that we had a clear understanding and agreement. We also talked about the “what if despite our best efforts….we get separated” conversation. I pointed to the sun run volunteers on the side lines and told Daniel that these were the people to speak to if we got separated and could not locate each other. Near the final leg of this event as we started to run over the Burrard Street? (Maybe Cambie) bridge it started to rain. My glasses fogged up…..I kept running but as I ran, I took my glasses off, gave them a rub with the bottom of my t-shirt and put my glasses back on……just in time to witness a sea of bodies close behind Daniel and a friend I was running with. I was now behind them and separated by many bodies. The crowd was so dense I couldn’t not even see an arm or a leg or head of any of my running mates. Looking over at volunteers on the sidelines, I did not see Daniel with anyone…..My head was spinning and my heart was thumping out of my chest – as I tried to reassure myself that it would be alright and to stay calm…..As I ran, I kept looking but no sign…..time had slowed to a snail’s pace. As I crossed the finish line and we poured into BC Place stadium, my head was swirling with the fear of not having yet found Daniel. I searched and surveyed the crowd body by body, face by face….and I started to feel more frantic….and then I remembered his school was running too. I went over to where his elementary school banner was. Daniel was non-chalantly devouring a yogurt cup and looked up to see me. He looked peaceful and confident – while I likely looked frazzled and dazed. And at this, his famous grin, that many have spoke of, spread across his face, in recognition of being reunited. Relief and a grin, soon spread across my face too.
Love Celia