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Dedication to Wayne Lehman

Submitted by Melinda Lehman on behalf of Dan, Jan, Diane and Aaron Lehman, Glenn Lehman, Debbie and Darrell Haskin and Lorne Haley (our grandfather).

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GO FISHING

On Monday, May 12, 2003 I got a call from my father, Wayne. It was one of those phone calls that changes everything that is seemingly important at the time. My father has inoperable stomach cancer. This was confirmed just ten short weeks after losing his most cherished partner, my mother Gail, to diabetes.

I write this dedication in the hope that somewhere, somehow a miracle will occur. I have to believe that as each door closes we have to continue to look to others for a possible chance.

This past weekend we took dad to Marten River on a fishing trip. I was in awe of his sheer determination to catch a fish. We arrived late on Friday evening because we had to see if his 3^rd attempt at having a stent put in would work. This would allow him to be able to get nutrition into his body. It didn’t work. He was exhausted after 3 hours in day surgery, but he got into the car with my brother Glenn, who picked him up at the hospital with fishing hat on and fishing rod in tow.

Dad was up at 5:00 am on Saturday morning with Dan, Glenn, Darrell, Aaron and Grandpa, ready to wake up the fish, despite the fact that it was snowing. That evening dad got lucky and caught a 5 pound bass (see picture). Dad has lost about 85 pounds since mom passed away, but he had more energy than any of us. After catching his bass, he still had energy to make his own tie dyed shirt and recant stories of what a completely crazy family we have. At one point, he talked about how lucky he was to have such a great family and I know that we were all thinking the same thing.

It is because of his and mom’s incredible strength, wisdom and patience that we are such a tight family.

Dad won the East Toronto Sports Snooker Championship this year (see 2^nd picture). He has 3 passions; playing snooker, listening to and recording 50’s and 60’s music and watching his new obscenely large HDTV. He is incredibly talented at all three.

We band together to help dad through this very difficult time and remind him constantly that he can count on us to do everything imaginable that we can to help. We love him dearly and can not bear to think of him not being around.

Thank you so much to all of our friends and family who are doing whatever they can to help. It is appreciated more than you could ever know.