Justin's Journey: A Dream Come True

It's been a while since I've written. Things have been going so well. Things have also been busy and exciting. We have been blessed once again by the generosity of people.

A couple of weekends ago, we were sitting around the campfire at the lake playing a game that we sometimes play. We take turns asking a question which everyone else around the fire has to answer. Questions like: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? What's your biggest fear? What's your favourite car? Stuff like that. Trevor asked, "If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be?" Justin didn't even have to think about it. He answered, "Ondrej Pavelec." Little did he know it would happen just days later. In the business he's in, Trevor meets a lot of people. And as they say, it's all about who you know.

Rob and Carla run the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter. It is a no-kill shelter. That in itself shows the hearts of these people. They have known Trevor for years and we have been to a couple of fundraising galas for their shelter. They also know some of the Jets players and have had a couple of them at their business signing autographs in the past. Trevor decided to make a phone call and ask for a favour. They had heard about Justin's diagnosis and were thrilled and eager to make Justin's dream come true. It was set up rather quickly and we got a call saying that Justin would meet Pavelec the very next week. Justin, of course, knew nothing about it. It was so exciting knowing that we were going to surprise him with this. He would be over the moon!

On Thursday of last week, I went to the school at lunch time to pick up the twins. They, of course, asked where we were going. I told them we were meeting Dad somewhere and nothing else. When we got to the clover leaf at the perimeter and Portage Avenue, Justin asked if we were going to the Ice Plex. I asked, "Why would we be going there?" He told me that the Jets were in training camp. I replied, "Well, I don't know anything about that." ;) With wonder and excitement building, we pulled into the parking lot of the MTS Ice Plex.  Disappointment clouded his voice as Justin said, "If I knew we were coming here, I would have brought my jersey!" I then replied, "Well then, I guess it's a good thing I brought it!" We were unsure exactly how this was going to go. We didn't know if we would all be allowed to meet him or if he would sign anything, but I brought sharpies, Justin's Pavelec jersey and hat, and Ryan's Jets hat just in case.

Trevor, Rob and Carla met us at the door. After the boys were introduced to them, Carla asked Justin if he knew what was happening here today. He said he wasn't really sure, but hoped he could see the Jets practicing. She grabbed Justin by both hands and explained that they had arranged for him to meet with Ondrej Pavelec after he was done his work out. With tears in my eyes, I listened to her tell him that they heard about what he was going through and that they wanted to do something really special for him and were glad to have been able to arrange it. We were soon ushered back to a more private place and awaited Ondrej's arrival.   When he walked toward us, Justin's face lit up. With a big smile, he walked right up to Ondrej, stuck out his hand and introduced himself. After all of the other introductions were made, he graciously signed both Justin's jersey and hat and also Ryan's hat. We then all gathered around a table and visited with Ondrej.  Though he spoke with all of us, his clear focus was Justin. What a sight to sit back and watch. The two of them, sitting head-to-head, chatting like old friends. Justin had only been to one Jets game and during the warm up, he shot video of Ondrej on his iPod. He pulled it out and showed Ondrej the video.  Ondrej watched it with a smile on his face, making comments to Justin occasionally as he watched.  I brought one of Justin's bracelets with me, thinking Justin might want to give it to him. When Justin handed it to him and asked if he would wear it, he replied, "Definitely!" and immediately put it on.  At one point Ondrej asked us if we get out to many games. We told him that we have gone to a few, but never as a family as tickets are hard to come by. He sat there thoughtfully for a few moments and asked, "Would you come (to Sunday's game) if I get the tickets?" We were all dumbstruck! Justin managed a, "Uh, yeah, I would go!" We all chuckled and said we would definitely work it into our schedule.

With the arrangements made for the game, it was time to say goodbye. As he was leaving, he said to Justin, "You're going to wear the jersey and the hat to the game?" Of course Justin's response was a resounding yes, at which Ondrej smiled and replied, "Good!" After Ondrej left, a Winnipeg Sun reporter came over and asked if he could ask us some questions. Once the interview was done, he told us that there would probably be something in the Sun on Friday. Imagine our surprise when we saw the Sun the next day! On the front page was a picture of Justin sitting with Pavelec and the headline TRUE HERO. Inside was a full page story and another large picture. Suddenly we have a celebrity in our midst!

Last night we went to the game. Pavelec not only provided 5 tickets to the game but he also gave us passes to join him down by the dressing room after the game. Unfortunately, they lost but we were very excited when the game was over so we could head down to meet with him again. We had a wonderful time. It was so casual, and though I want to say comfortable, there were still nerves visible on both sides. It was surprising and endearing to see that Ondrej Pavelec, NHL goalie, seemed nervous to be talking with us! We asked him some questions, he asked us some questions and we had some pictures taken with him and the whole family. It was also very sweet to see that he was wearing Justin's bracelet.

We are truly blessed. This may sound strange coming from someone whose son has been stricken with cancer. We are only two and a half months into this and so much has happened. We have been at our lowest of lows and highest of highs. With an initial prognosis that did not sound promising, Justin's cancer has been responding to the chemotherapy phenomenally. Justin has had some opportunities that he probably wouldn't have had if he had never been diagnosed with cancer. It touches my heart so much that people want to give whatever they can to bring Justin joy. And the fact that an NHL goalie went above and beyond to spend quality time with us not once, but twice, means more to us than he'll ever know. So, thank you, Ondrej Pavelec, for giving this mom the opportunity to see her son's dream come true. You are one classy man.