Much like my oldest brother Rick, I only lived with Dave for a short time before he and Ricky left for the University of Guelph to study PysEd and also finish teachers college.  This achieved two things that are true to what makes Dave, being physically active and a lifelong educator.  The only disadvantage to him going away to school, is that he stayed in the London area.  The biggest advantage was finding his love of his life and marrying Carol, who became part of the Wagg clan.

I must add this picture of Rick and Dave together.  This shows the friendly competitive spirit that is between the 2 of them.  The competition is always there, whether its a golf score a game of cribbage or if the Sen’s beat the Leaf’s.  Most of my friends growing up didn’t realize that I had twin brothers.  We would be having these huge family gatherings where one would come in the room and then leave and then the other would come in.  To throw everyone off, without a pre-wardrobe plan, it was of note that they often dressed in the same colour shirt!

Dave is so very unique in his own way.  Dave may be up for a friendly competition with others but he is truly a self disciplined runner.  Come ran or shine, Dave was always running.  I remember him coming to Ottawa to run the marathon, trying to get his time in for the Boston Marathon.  I remember mom and I going to pick him up and he seemed somewhat disappointed with a 3:06 time.  I was in the backseat, looking out the window in amazement that someone could run as fast as they could for that length of time.  I thought he should at least get a cake and some balloons?  I think I was probably 10 at the time.

This led to me trying to be a runner.  I had done some 10km runs, but a friend challenged me to complete a half marathon.  Deal!  I trained and was so thrilled with my time of 2:14.  No balloons, but certainly cold beers and fajitas!  I had a call with Dave after and he had also run a half marathon that spring.  I was so excited to compare times!  He stated that he did it in 1:24 because he was healing from a hernia and didn’t really train. Insert my famous line when I am somewhat self-defeated?  “Well, I can swim fast!”

My fondest memories of Dave was when he and Carol came home to visit.  We grew up on the river in Manotick and after dinner, Dave and Carol would take Donna and I for a canoe ride.  Carol would then sing camp song with us like “There was a Bear, a way up there….” I learned so many songs, enjoyed many trips in the canoe and keep these memories very close to my heart.

I was fortunate and got to spend some of my summers up in London.  These were the times when Dave was not teaching and I would ride my bike through Springbank Park while he fine tuned his running and also gave my the time to get to know his three kids.  Our family is close and now I realize it was gathering opportunities mom and dad provided for us to spend time together.  Whether that was at each other’s homes, at the Manitoulin Island or later, at the cottage.

David gave me 2 special things.  One is my forever nickname that he still called me, Chrisser which he still calls me today.  The second was the compliment when I said I was starting this blog.  He told us all on a family zoom a few months ago, that adopting Donna and I was the best thing that happened to our family.  

On that note, I have no other words but to say how much gratitude I have for having such an amazing brother!