CODY BRYDGES

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CODY BRYDGES 1985 - 2001 Sixteen Years of History He entered this world frail but fought hard to stay. By his first birthday he practically changed his own diaper. By the age of two he could hammer nails into a tree stump. In his third year he became fearless and would ride the dog. When he was four we saw the sparkle in his eyes as he would hide his flashlight and books under his covers. At five we stood over him while he slept and took in his fresh out-of-the-bath smell of shampoo and Brut. By the time he was six he had already asked a million questions. By his seventh year he displayed incredible stamina to work long and hard. He had his own business card. At eight he experienced exhilarating achievement as he accomplished tasks beyond his years. He would smile at our disapproving reaction. By the time he was nine he knew every road sign and felt he was ready to drive. In his tenth year he developed a passion for camping and the wilderness. He could skin and eat squirrel. By the age of eleven he was committed to proving he could do things we said he couldn't. By twelve he was passionate about army cadets and strived to make a career in the military a reality. At the age of thirteen he had enormous zest for life and was always ready for adventure. He had a quirky sense of humour. By the age of fourteen he possessed strong convictions and a deep respect for adults he learned from. At fifteen he knew the value of true friends but was fiercely independent. He was only sixteen when he experienced something his parents have not. Our bright, vibrant, cherished jewel walked out the door and never returned. His world disappeared and he had a tag on his toe. We are so fractured by the briefness of his life. There is such an incompleteness within our family. There is no way to escape his absence. The humble power of the smallest things can bring us to our knees. We know it will always be this way. And even though he is gone, he still speaks to us when we think of his history. Our love for him is without end. The loving is done. - Mom and Dad

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 23, 2009