Michèle was the youngest of five siblings. She was only 7 months old when our mother passed away. Then, she went to live with our father’s brother and his wife in Montreal where she was raised as an only child.
From that time until Michèle was 27 years old, we saw each other only on seven occasions.
In 1981, Michèle moved to Toronto. At the time, I was living in Ottawa and my work required frequent trips to Toronto. Before one of these business trips, I called Michèle to ask her if she would like to meet for dinner with me. I was somewhat anxious as I hardly knew my youngest sister. I was hoping that we would get along and start developing a closer relationship.
We met, went for drinks followed by dinner and laughed our hearts out. This was the first of many lunches, dinners, afternoon shopping sprees, as we kept getting together every time I had to be in Toronto for work or a visit to my in-laws.
When I moved to Toronto in 1990, Michèle and I were regularly in touch with each other. She introduced me to her friends, as well as Toronto life, and we even went house hunting together. As the years went by, both being married and occupying demanding jobs, we did not see each other as often. However, we kept in touch by telephone, shared confidences and continued to occasionally go out for dinners and shopping. For 25 years, we spent every Christmas Eve and dinner at Michèle’s home. It became a tradition, as she loved to cook and entertain and would not have it any other way.
I saw Michèle for the last time in January 2020, in Trois-Rivières, for our youngest brother funeral. The evening before, Aunt Louise, Michèle, Gordon and I met for dinner. Michèle was as “bubbly” and cheerful as ever, although we knew that she was not feeling well.
Needless to say that Michèle’s death leaves a huge empty space in my heart and life.
