Mrs Van Riel was like a second mother to me especially in my younger years.  My family bought a cottage on Dorval Island in 1958.  I think our first full summer there was 1959.  I was 3 years old.  The Van Riels were our next door neighbours.

Mrs Van Riel introduced herself to my mother.  She said she had children too and the two mothers and our two families became the closest friends from youngest child to parents.

I have one story of how I really wanted a pair of black high top sneakers because I had seen some cool kid wearing them.  My mom hated those sneakers and did not want me wearing them.  She had bought me low rise white tennis shoes.  She said I could not chose my own shoes because I didn’t even know how to tie my own shoe laces.  I went next door to my friends house all distraught and told Greg what had happened.  Greg shared my plight with Mrs Van Riel.  She said “It’s easy.  I’ll show you how” and she did.

I went back home and showed my mom that I could now tie my shoes.  She was surprised but also pleased.  She thought that she had given me an impossible task.  No, I still didn’t get the sneakers.

Mark