Dedications - back

Dedicated To: Miroslav Baran
Dedicated By: Marina Baran
Age: 50

My dad, Mir, as my mom called him, was a gentleman, a brilliant engineer, and above all a devoted and loving family man. Born in what used to be Czechoslovakia, he survived WWII under German occupation and went on to study at university in Moscow where he met my mother. Together they dreamed and planned to escape the oppression that existed behind the Iron Curtain and thanks to one of his patented inventions, the road to the “free” world was paved. Our family finally settled in Canada where my dad began his dream life. He worked, and bought a house, and traveled without restriction, and made new friends, and went fishing and mushroom hunting, and cherished being able to say anything out loud without repercussions. He loved Canada! We celebrated every year the day we arrived. His dream was clouded by my mom’s premature and unexpected death, but he struggled to continue living and dreaming. We were each other’s best friends back then. Five years later, as he had just remarried, he was struck with stomach cancer. My world was shattered, but my dad put on a brave face and tried to fight. During the short battle, his greatest concern was for his family. I will never forget the letter he dictated to me when he was too weak to write himself. It was to his parents, thanking them for all they had done for him and expressing the greatest of regrets that he would not be able to repay them for the love and support they had given him. The last time I saw my father was on the anniversary of our arrival in Canada. I brought him flowers, as I had done every year on the occasion. He died two days later. It’s been more than a quarter of a century since he left us, yet he is with me all the time. I still talk to him in my head and best of all I see his reflection from time to time when my son turns his head a certain way. My regret is that my children never met their grandpa and that my dad never got to see that his legacy lives on. This year Alexander, Mir’s grandson is challenging his endurance by participating in Karen’s Ride and giving support to kids fighting battles they never should have to. I think Miroslav would be proud. I know I am.