Brigitte LaPalme

The next baby to grace us with her presence was Brigitte. Unfortunately for me, by the time she was born I was no longer working on the train and was only back in Manitoba about once per year.

I didn't really start getting to know Brigitte until she was in her tweens. One of my favorite memories with Brigitte was when I rented a cabin at Clear Lake with my brother and his kids. Robert and Brigitte were absolutely hilarious with their antics. I had a sore belly from laughing. I felt like I really connected to Brigitte that weekend.

I also remember, when she was really young, giving her a magic toy that was like a telephone. I had an identical one. I told her that when she wanted to call me, she had to hold it, and talk to me with her heart, and then listen with her heart to hear me answer. I felt so bad when she told me, very sadly, that she tried calling me and it didn't work.

Brigitte has gone through some tough times, and has developed a sense of maturity through it all. She has got to be one of the least judgemental teenagers I have ever met, and I am so grateful for Facebook which allows me to continue to get to know her from a distance.