The last time I saw Johnnie Nyenhuis was in September.

He was back from Calgary to interview for co-op positions at Imperial and he, The Don, and Jeske met up at a pub. I called and met up with them at Johnnie’s brother’s house after I was done work. John’s brother Chris is in his final year of mechanical engineering like his big brother had been and now has recently accepted a position at Imperial in Calgary.

Really that was the last time I talked to Johnnie. I also saw Johnnie on Friday at the visitation, but, I guess, he wasn’t really there, everyone else was though.

I wasn’t sure whether I would go, but I thought that it would be something sad and difficult at the time, but would make me sadder in the future if I had not gone.

I got up in the morning and went to the gym and did half a workout. I went to the car, got ready and drove out to Stratford.

I got to the funeral home, parked and came in the front door of the front building. I was directed to the line and I waited.

TA came out of the gallery, hugged me and joined me. We talked about the week, how I found out, and what was going on the next day. Soon Kevin and (whom I would meet) Corinne came in and joined the line. Tim went back to talk to them and I jumped back in line to join them too.

We made it through the line and talked to the family, Chris, Jeff, Maryanne, Henk, Monica, and Mary.

Then I went over I studied all the flowers while I stepped towards the casket.

Looking down at Johnnie, I just cried and cried. I stood there for a bit, but then wanted to go be with people, so I walked over to TA and everyone else and each of them hugged me.

It was good to see TA, Monica, Rich & Kelly, GregA, Kevin, and it was good to meet Corinne, Rob & Danielle, Ian, and Tracy. I think I also sung Matt’s song Outlet Stream, in which the Bow River features, for Rob, Ian and Danielle.

I hung out for most of the rest of the time and then headed back to Waterloo.

• John N and Mark S are gone 11 Dec 2007