First of all, I want to thank you all for coming out and
supporting the second annual Roderick Rempel Floor Hockey Tournament. I want to thank the committee for spending so
much time planning and organizing and I want to thank MBCI and all the staff
for hosting and supporting this event. Thanks to Mr Downie for coming back and
MCing for us and to all the volunteers and teams that are involved, and who
make this day so special. Thank you to everyone, this tournament means so much
to my family and me.
I was asked if I ever felt that Roderick was watching over
all of this. I said of course, but I
often believe he would be thinking, “all this because of me?” This reminds me
of the time when Roderick posted on his Facebook page, “I may be unknown now,
but eventually I will be unforgettable.” I know that he would be very humbled
and thankful for this event and for the fact that this tournament raises funds
to provide scholarships and bursaries to students who are not able to afford
Christian education. I would like to thank you all for helping keep Roderick’s
memory alive.
There is a verse in the Bible that has really become
meaningful to me. In Hebrews 11, it talks about the great people of faith that
have gone on before us and then it says, ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by
such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, referring to the people
who have gone before us. I believe Roderick is now one of that crowd of
witnesses cheering us on in our race. I
made post cards for Roderick’s birthday with that verse on the front. I have
extra copies if anyone would like one. They are by the table with the
memorabilia and you are welcome to take one.
I did not make a lot of resolutions for 2017; however I did
make one. I decided that in 2017, I
would see something beautiful come out of this tragedy. I saw this beautiful back yard, in it was a
tree that looked like the trunk had split in half and half of it had fallen
over. Half of it was still growing the
other half had become this beautiful table for flowers and greenery. It was beautiful, I wish I had a picture of
it but it reminds me of this storm of tragedy that has ripped through our
family. It’s not the norm to turn a
fallen tree into something beautiful. Usually, it is cut up for firewood. All you
see is a broken tree that looks so damaged, but it is possible to make
something beautiful from it, and that is what I’m believing for.
To all of Roderick’s friends, I know this tragedy has
affected you as well. I encourage you to continue to strengthen your faith in
the Lord and to know that you are loved. I also encourage families to love one
another and to remember that life can be short, and to cherish each day you
spend with each other.
Roderick’s mom
Rod's 2017 tournament
I read a quote sometime ago that said, “The time to make friends is
before you need them!!”
Never before have we realized how important friends are, and how
much kids can add to the parent’s circle of friends. So many of you here today
we know because of Roderick.
Having this tournament is a huge honour for us as parents, and how
much more for Roderick, how proud he'd be or is to see that his life here
continues to have an impact on so many people. I’m often reminded of a
discussion we had not long before his passing on really valuable art, so often
the artist is not around anymore to enjoy the success, the comment Roderick
made, he was quiet for a bit and then said "that sucks". That is how we feel now too, it really sucks
having these tournaments on one hand, but on the other hand it's a huge
blessing and honour and may his short life here on earth continue to remind us
of what kind of legacy we would like to leave.
Thank you so much for coming out so let's go play hard and have fun
and just so you know the "Wolverines Old Boys Organization” are here today
to take home the championship title.
Roderick’s dad
