Tuesday, March 15, 2016
I have some really lovely memories of time spent with Uncle Bill and Aunt Anne. The year I completed High School, Mom (Sally) and I drove to Vermilion from Kitchener and were welcomed into their home and hearts. I caught my first glimpse of the Ukrainian culture I didn't have access to in Ontario, and all the love of their big family and of their home was offered to me to share in. It was amazing to be welcomed with such a feeling of family.
A few years later Bill and Anne came to Ontario to visit, and I got to share some of my favorite spots with them. We went to Niagara Falls and Elora, and spent lots of time talking and visiting. I loved to hear the stories about how they established their farm, about raising the children, about the hard work they took such obvious pride in. One day as we were getting out of the car (a Volkswagen Rabbit), Uncle Bill unfolded his long limbs which had obviously stiffened during the ride, gestured to Aunt Anne and my Mom and said "Look at us, we're walking like a bunch of old people." He must have been in his seventies at the time!
I managed to see them a couple of more times in Vermilion and they met my first born son, Noah, when he was just a toddler. Despite seeing them only infrequently, each time I did I felt welcomed and part of their family. What a gift!
Uncle Bill taught me not to be afraid of hard work, to take pride in my accomplishments, and to enjoy this life. I feel very blessed to have known this man who will live on through his many descendants and whose spirit we will carry forward as we raise our children.
On behalf of my family,
Kandi, Nicholas, Noah and Jake Dibley
