Seven Years Ago

Seven Years ago.........

On Friday May 13, 2016, I received a message on social media from the local Member of Parliament. He was in town and would be presenting certificates to community leaders. He wanted to know if Nancy and I were available to come over and get one. Sure, I replied. I'll bring a cheesecake. I know he likes my cheesecake. That would be super, he replied.

I sent Nancy a text and let her know not to make any plans. She was excited. She didn't have a thing to wear, would need to have her hair done, etc. All very typical. Then, I start to wonder if I should let the board of directors know. After all, most of the community work we do is with the Society. I sent them a message suggesting that they attend if they were able to.

We get to the church where the “event” was being held. I'm all decked out in my fedora and a red tie (because he's a Liberal and red would show how supportive I was), I got my cheesecake with me. I'm going over a little speech in my head and mentally envisioning where I will hang the plaque, the man cave is getting a bit crowded with all these accolades. There's a lady standing at the door to direct us in, she looks familiar but I can't place her. When I enter the room, I see a small crowd of people standing at the far end of the room. Is that my brother? Why is he here? And isn't that my.....

Everybody yells SURPRISE!!!!! And then I clue in. My birthday is on the 20th. My 60th birthday.

Two months previous, I had gone to Tim Horton's in Waverley to be presented with a check from the current councilor. Our MLA had also been there and we exchanged a bit of small talk. After I left, the two of them were talking. I had mentioned on social media that my 60th birthday was in a few months and they thought it would be nice to throw me a party.

They got together with my wife and began to make plans. They were very thorough and very secretive about it. I never even saw it coming. I hadn't needed to tell Nancy about this. She already knew. I hadn't needed to tell the board of directors. They already knew. Most of my family was there, plus a few very dear friends. The cake was in a knitting theme with balls of frosting intricately designed to look like balls of yarn.

I suppose I looked quite a sight, standing there holding a cheesecake I had brought to my own birthday party, with a look on my face that seemed to say What? I don't get a certificate?

I did actually receive two certificates. One was a congratulations from our MP on receiving the Provincial Award and the other one was another special resolution that had been passed at the NS House of Assembly to recognize my 60th birthday, because of the work I do in my community.

Often, I think back to that frosty morning when I crawled out of my sleeping bag under the bridge, checking for signs of frostbite. I possessed only the clothes I wore, a walkman with no batteries, a battered copy of a book about recovery, and a shred of hope that I could overcome the situation I was in.

This morning, when I woke up, I looked around me at all the things I knew I could never have. Wife, family, grandchildren, a job to go to, a house to live in, a lawn to mow, a driveway to shovel, all the things that normal people have. I closed my eyes, said a little prayer, and then I said thanks.

Know what I mean. Jellybean.