It’s interesting how some days fly by and others stand so very still.

It has been 2 years today since Dan passed and I would never say: 2 years already, nor Just 2 years. Simple that is has been 2 years and not a day goes by that I don’t miss him terribly.

So on this our 2 years I want to share with you something that a dear friend of Dan’s wrote to share at the Celebration but didn’t get the chance.

Reading this again, now, makes me realize that it isn’t just me that lost him, even though at times it feels that way; but that Dan is missed by so many on so many levels.

Thank you Mark for allowing me to share your words. XX

January 2, 2015

I have a lot I can say about Dan. I will keep it short as I’m sure there are a lot of people who would like to share their stories. We met in Elementary school in 1986 28 years ago and have been best friends ever since. Not only did we go to the same schools together growing up, we also did everything together. When we were in band we used to billet together where ever we went. I remember we were on a band trip one year which took us to Edmonton and during that trip he thought it would be cool to stab a fence with a Swiss army knife. Well I’m sure you can imagine what happened, the knife closed on his hand and he ended up with numerous stitches. We talked about that not too long ago. He was surprised I still remembered that and showed me the scar on his hand as his constant reminder. We had a good laugh over that one. 

We both worked at Smugglers Inn and Moxies. Who knew back then his career would evolve into starting his own restaurant. I’m very proud of what he accomplished in life. 

Dan and I were very competitive with each other. Whether it was on the ball diamond, golf course, squash court or playing pond hockey he always had that slight edge on me. For a while I was playing quite a bit more squash with my coworkers so when I stepped onto the court with Dan I had the upper hand. Well he didn’t like losing. We would get incredibly mad at himself and push so much harder that he would somehow hurt himself. So he thought, well maybe it wasn’t him! Maybe it was his racquet. So one day he blurts out, “give me your racquet!” like that was the problem. OK, I obliged and we switched racquets. Well that didn’t help either, and it probably didn’t help the situation with me getting a good laugh out it all as he would become more and more angry. Well my edge in squash wouldn’t last long as he would do whatever it took to eventually beat me. The competitiveness and drive he had helped me become much better at sports. I have no doubt about that. 

When I got my driver’s license I used to take my parents car to school. I only lived a few blocks away but when you have your driver’s license and you’re a teenager, well you just want to be cool. So I would pick Dan up for School. I used to get so mad at him because every morning I would sit in front of his house and wait for him to come out. So on the mornings I would pick him up for school we were guaranteed to be late. But hey, his hair was perfect. 

I didn’t see much of Dan this last year since the fund raiser. We spoke on the phone a bit and I was fortunate enough to talk to him briefly just before Christmas. I am glad he is no longer suffering both mentally and physically. He battled hard and he is gone far too soon. I will miss him very much. He was my best friend; he was my brother.

Mark McQuiston

I am hoping that Mark’s letter encourages more of you to send your memories. Anything at all. I would still love to compile them for Audrey some day, so she can understand the man he was through your memories.

Please send them to    danwoodmemories@gmail.com

much love, renée & audrey

Today was back to school. Audrey has started Grade 2 and I can’t believe how quickly that came. I honestly remember as if it were yesterday when Dan and I took her to school on her 1st day of Kindergarten……. She new most of the kids already from preschool and was super excited to get there. So much so that once we arrived she basically ignored us and chatted with her friends.

When it was time for them to get moving to their class she gave us quick hugs, got in line with her classmates, whom some of which would not let go of their parents hands, and started her way down the hall. This wasn’t anything new to me as I’d dropped her off at preschool for 2 yeas and other activities. But Dan had a hard time with it. He watched her the entire time saying “she’ll turn around and look” ” she will…right?” I remembering laughing and taking his hand. “No babe, she won’t. Not our girl”.

And she didn’t.

Nowadays, I am lucky to even be able to drop her on the first day. I basically stood there this morning holding her stuff while she buzzed around the school yard catching up with everyone. She has been anxious the last few days. Worried about who would be in her class and missing her BFFs Gabby & Charlotte who are away on a grand adventure of sorts. They have been with her since preschool and are certainly missed on a daily basis, but even more so today.  In the end she did get some of her close friends in her class an as usual grabbed her stuff from me, said goodbye, no hug this year and ran off behind her classmates.

Just like that we have started Grade 2. Wishing like everything else that Dan was here to share in it.

XOX Renee

First Day of Kindergarten

First Day of Grade 2