Finding Home, Chapter 2; Box Of Secret’s

Box of Secrets June 4, 1994

This is a dream that seemed more like a vision because there was never a clear image. I was like looking through a fog all the time, with very little definition. The only clear image was the box emanating fear.
I was in a large bedroom and everything was wrapped in fog. It was difficult to hang onto the details of the dream and of my surroundings. The most prevalent item was a box that was kept in the room against the wall opposite the bed. I did not have to see inside of the box to know it contained the family secrets. It really frightened me especially at night time when the room was dark.
Because of this there was a light hanging directly above the box and a plug-in light next to the box which I kept on at all times.
I remember something about a specific way I had to have the covers on the bed, but upon waking I could not remember the significance, nor the particular way they needed to be arranged. I also remember a set of stairs off to the side. My brother Bruce was coming down those stairs, but I don’t recall where they led.
I did not recognize the space I was in, nothing about it was familiar. I also understood that Bruce knew about the box. This point is interesting because I came to appreciate through the years Bruce was the most likely candidate to become Duncan’s successor in this family of handlers. The dream ended.

That he was the one family member who knew of the box was logical to me. I must make note I had this dream several years before finding out from the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) the Phyper’s had their family secrets safely locked away in a sealed Special Information Services (SIS) file. No one has access to the contents without the exclusive permission of the person who created that file, a person whose name I was unable to obtain. (Reference to LDS correspondence, August 11, 1999 etc., Appendix ##)
Patrick and I conducted our own research into finding out who this person could be and we did indeed find a relative who had made a significant donation to the LDS Church, although to my knowledge or public record this family was not a member of the church. No surprise then to have such difficulty locating more substantial records in the entire LDS archive of the Phyper or Phypers family. Shortly thereafter entering the Phyper name into a search window revealed zero returns.** Other than the reference to my aunt, Majorie Phyper, there was nothing else to discover about this family. Everything was gone.
We understood this man was responsible for the ‘box of secrets’ because access could only be gained with his permission. We also realized his political and financial stature made him more than powerful enough to control the information, and thus we are unable to obtain the information I feel I have the right to see.

Sometimes you have to walk away even though you know in your heart it is not the correct solution, but the only one available for the time being. This box seems to be an accurate portrayal of that file, the truth locked away by people afraid of the past which created our future. They can only stay lost in their fear, while I continue to move forward, for the answers are within me.

** at different times while searching the name Phypers, I have come up with several hits, but it is not consistent. I was told when I was a young girl, the name was very rare, that our family was the only one in Canada. I was also told that my Great Great Grandfather fought with Loui Riel, something to be proud of. Although I made several enquiries about our family history while growing up, I was given very little information. The Louis Riel morsel, was just that with no follow up stories.

I will also note that the former CFO of IBM is a man named Dean Phypers – a possible relative? He was a man of mystery during the time we researched this name in 1999, not one photograph could found which we thought strange for such a public figure. We did a search on him because it was his name we found on the donations list for the LDS Church. Now that is a coincidence!!! Not only am I able to get significant information about this man today,  I also saw a video of him addressing congress and got a photo. I find it interesting he has a daughter named Katharine (different spelling, but non the less).

  Aunt Marjorie with Grandma Phyper. Marjorie, if I remember correctly was a spinster and lived an ordinary life. I met her when I was a child while visiting Montreal for the Expo in 1967. Visiting her home back then, I remember her living simply, her home non-descript. I believe she even wrote to me a few times after that visit, but my recollection of the letters is gone. It is difficult to imagine reasons for information regarding her would be kept secret. She died many years ago.

  My original letter to Susan Hilton.   My follow-up note after not hearing anything for 2 months.

   You will notice the response comes from a different department and a different person.      I of course did not receive permission, nor did I hear from anyone over the years. Recently I sent an email requesting information, but was told the Church had no recorded information pertaining to the name Phyper/s. So there you have it, a box of secrets, gone missing…..