The last time I saw him, he was in the hospital - his health degrading quickly. I had to leave and I knew in my heart of hearts this day would be my last to see him alive. I shook his hand for the last time, with a lump in my throat. He grasped my hand gently (if you knew him he was known for his hearty hand shakes one that would make a gorilla wince in pain); smiled that radiant smile of his and said, "Chief, your hands are cold. You better warm up." I smiled and said I would. With that I told him that I had to leave for a few days and would be back to see him soon. He said his 'yah, yah' like he always did. I hugged my wife and walked out of his hospital room with a tear streaming down my cheek. It was my right cheek- why I remember that I have no idea.I sat in my truck and wept, knowing that when I left our 'little city' my next trip home would be for a funeral.
This man, was my father in law. A man who had a smile that could light up a room and a laugh that could certainly be heard throughout the house. I first met him in 2002 and was introduced to that vise grip like hand shake that really, in all honestly could bring a gorilla to its knees. Over the next 10 years I got to know him he told me of his days as a child in Germany. How he lived through WW2 and how he was looked upon to help his family through the rough times. I sat listening to countless hours of his immigration to Canada and how he worked the mines from Ontario to British Colombia. To eventually settling down in a quaint village that sits on the Trans Canada Highway in Northwestern Ontario. He was a jack of all trades and at 78 years of age was still able to out work many in their 20's, except me of course - yeah right!
Well early one morning I had a dream. It was he and I riding in a bus or a train. I cannot recall. All I know was that we were the only passengers. He was laying down and still in his hospital gown. We were talking and laughing about many things of which I cannot recall. I do know we were having a great time . Then suddenly, our mode of transportation began to slow down. He smiled at me and said, "Chief my ride is almost done."
He then proceeded to tell me, "Thank you for coming into Martina's life and making her happy. I have never seen her so happy. Take care of her for me and tell her I love her."
With this he shook my hand and said, "Your hands are still cold, warm up will you."
Then I woke up. With a tear streaming down my right cheek.
Rest In Peace, Erwin. you will be truly missed.
