Tributes

In Loving memory of Dennis

 

Dear Little Brother,

I am coming to see you tomorrow.

I was coming to hold you close, hug you and softly whisper... I love you... in your ear.  I was coming to comfort you and help you carry your pain for a little  while.  I expected you to be in your jammies, hair mussed up and feeling poorly.  The look you always have of questioning until you recognize me and laughingly say.... " Oh Maria it is you".  I was going to sit by your side and pray maybe help Sandy give you sips and a little something to eat.

Otherwise just let you feel my love....and bring a little of your homeland to you.  One fellow countryman to another.....a sister to her little brother.

I am still coming to see you tomorrow little brother.

I am coming to celebrate your life... to give thanks to the Almighty God of yours and mine that He has seen your pain, your suffering and called you home. He now holds you close. There no longer is pain to be carried or an earthly body to nourish.

You will be decked out in your finest garbs tomorrow.  I allow my heart to ache selfishly for my loss, not yours.  Tears are and will flow for the emptiness you leave behind in my heart.  The pain is bittersweet and the longing is tempered by the joy with which I picture you.  Dennis, my dear friend...littlebro...  all those kind things you did ........not allowing the left hand to know what your right hand was doing....the  comfort and love you gave....your
marvelous sense of humor...shall all  live on within us.  Tomorrow will be the last Thanksgiving we will celebrate together....giving thanks for the beauty of your life, the legacy of love you  leave in your wake  and the eternal reward you are now enjoying.

In my mind's eye...I see you  little brother....I see you  in stocking feet, shorts and a tee-shirt...laughing and dancing...singing....the paper plate...worn sportingly  to one side upon your head... has been replaced with a crown of many jewels.


I love you little brother.....until we meet again.

Maria
Written 06/08/2001

 


"A Friends Love"


A Friends Love is so very dear
It's so sad that they don't always remain near

But for some unknown reason, God has taken our friend from us.
But I don't feel our friend would want us to be blue.

Wouldn't he want you to grab hold of life and love, and be happy?
To remember him always as fun loving and laughing?

Though I am sure he had his fun loving side 
Remember always that he truly tried

Even though I didn't know him all that well,
It seemed to me that he was really swell.

So try to remember always the beauty of his life,
And not any of the hurts, toils and strife.

Our friend will always be with us, no matter what
Because the door to our memories will never be shut!

A friends love will always shine through
Because a friends love is so beautiful and true!

Remember forever that he loved us all,
But he had to leave you to answer Gods call

He is now with God, at peace and rest
He is over the Lords hardest test

Sharon H

06/07/01

 

 

 

 

I first met Dennis C. on the Menieres Coping list in May of 1998. We became good online friends. I will never forget his warmth, his humor, nor his caring for his Menerian Family.

He was always right there to cheer us up when we were down. We had many online conversations in and out of the coping group. He became fascinated with my husband's Moose hunting and always teased me about those Moose roasts.

After coming to Sandy in Canada, they made a trip to the United States and he saw a chocolate Moose in a shop. They sent that to me and I have never forgotten that. I hold the memories of this man close to my heart . He is in another place now, looking down on us and is at peace.

He will never be forgotten.

Barbara Reichardt
06/08/2001

Dennis:

As I grew to know you on the Coper's list, I grew to respect and admire you for the way you kept your spirits up and kept fighting the many physical ailments you suffered from. 

You did not let these things take you down, but rather, you let your spirit soar over them. 
Menieres' and diabetes and all your troubles were just vehicles to allow you to reach out and help those with similar problems. 

Your example helped guide many who would otherwise, have lost their way.

Now your spirit is a beacon to those who knew you and loved you. You are a bright star in the heavens and even though you are no longer physically among us, your love and example will continue on in the many lives you have touched.........
Until we meet again...............Peace to you, my brother..................Dianna Batchelor
Dianna Batchelor
06/09/2001

Dear Dennis, 

I am sorry I never took the time thank you for all of the wonderful things you did to help me get through my first few desperate months after the onset of my Meniere's. The days when I could barely crawl to the computer, but knew I had to force myself to learn about this disease and to somehow go on with my life and find hope. 

It was you, my dear friend who gave me not only hope, but joy and laughter.  Laughter, when I never thought I would ever laugh again, and hope that I might again some day be able to do some of things I did before.  

You suffered in silence with all of your pain and gave all you had to give, and then some, to me and so many others.  

You touched my life and because of that I am a better person.  I will forever hold fast to my memories I have of you.   I am honored to have known you.  

Goodbye my dear friend, and until we meet again......

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

With Loving Memory, 

Sharon  M
Written 06/09/2001

I met Dennis over 3 years ago after I had been diagnosed with MM. To say that he helped me would be an understatement. Dennis was ALWAYS there when I needed him. Day or night, no matter what the hour, it seemed he was online and ready to help with words of encouragement or humor. He helped me through a time of desperation and uncertainty with his words of wisdom, his knowledge, his humor and his caring ways.

Dennis was always able to turn a bad situation into something we could laugh at with him. No matter how bad a day he was having or no matter how badly he was feeling physically or emotionally, he was able to find humor in it somehow. I'll never forget the time he cut up his furniture or his descriptions of the man downstairs who was always barbequing and all the smoke was coming up into Dennis's apartment. I will also never forget how he met Sandy online and how their love for each other shone through in every e-mail. I was so honored to have been invited to their wedding and so disappointed that I wasn't able to attend. I am so happy that Dennis and Sandy were able to find each other and spend the time together that they did. I am deeply saddened that he is no longer here on earth with us but I know that he will watch over us and always be with us in spirit and in memories. Rest in peace my friend and keep those angels laughing.

Lindy
Written 06/09/2001

I talked to Dennis online every time I saw him. We shared our ups and down, we shared our fears and joys. When I woke from surgery with almost all my hearing gone, he was there to talk to me, to help me accept it.  He even sent me a special phone and TV equipment to help me to cope with it. He was such a sweet friend to me! I was so happy for him when he met and fell in love with Sandy, and I am so happy that he had that wonderful love and
happiness the last few years! Thank you Sandy, for loving my friend so much and making him so happy!

I find I cannot say good bye to you yet, but I will say, Dennis, I want that victory dance you promised me when I finished school. I guess I will get my dance in the soft clouds of heaven.

I love you my friend, hug Jesus for me.
Cathy G


Written 06/10/2001

Names unknown
Friends to be
Questions asked
More answers than imagined
The simple question
What kind of motorcycle do you have?
I used to ride a bike, myself, he said
A humorous story followed
Serious questions
Confident answers
Always with a smile attached
Telephone calls, somehow the message was received
Sacramento meetings, a winning smile
Then love was found, a special happiness for two
He moved
He married
He shared his unique personality so all would enjoy
His spirit his humor his laughter his love will be with us
Forever

Written By:  Teri 
06/14/2001

Through the vastness of time and space we were brought together  ..  each of us sharing a common hurt.

We spoke of many things in those days My Brother  ..   though we had never met. You shared what you knew about what I yet carry inside me and taught me to be unafraid of it. From that I learned to help others and do so still.

But finally meet we did, Dearest Dennis  ..   for our paths were crossing. Through your beloved Sandy and my beloved Maria we came together in my land.   Next to my Father, Son and Grandson you are the only man I ever kissed (and I have a picture to prove it too).

While my heart broke on hearing you had left us, a comfort also filled me.   Comfort at knowing the pain is ended and that He now has you in his love.

I hold many special and very fond memories of you  ..  most humorous and some where trying to explain is just too difficult for me.

We spoke of many things and today I speak of the love you showed to all.  You never wore your ailments as a shield.   You gave with all you had and then some.    Your love of children was and shall be evident always. Your love of fellow sufferers will continue to shine through in the words and thoughts many of us have kept.

Dennis, My Friend and Brother you are loved and will be sorely missed.

Keith
Written 06/10/2001

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