Last Saturday, I was talked into doing a 10k run for the SOS Children's Village, which, as advertised, is a local children's charity. Before you get all excited, I didn't actually run, it was a run/walk sort of thing, although I did beat my time from the last 10k event, the Sun Run. Life all charity events, it began with the speeches....
Richmond's Mayor Brodie makes an appearance....
...as do other local dignitaries...In spite of the date, it had not turned summer yet; indeed, it was pissing rain. But even in the rain, walking in Vancouver tends to be a beautiful affair...
I could have sworn I gave someone the camera to get us going across the finish line, but either I dreamed it or she pushed the wrong button. In any event, there is no such picture to be found. You will just have to take my word for it: I finished!. There is, however, a picture of us celebrating at Browns Social House afterwards....
...Kelley (left) and Donna...and my glass...
I had a few Mental Health Review Board hearings this week, and if there is anything likely to make me feel lucky, it is those. I also reconnected with friend Philip from law school. It has been 30 years - more! since we graduated law school, and we lost touch for a while. At one point, he found me on Salt Spring, and we have stayed connected ever since, and a better drinking buddy never walked the earth!
Which brings me to Friday, when we celebrated colleague (and friend) Lorne's 60th birthday. Unfortunately, not as happy an occasion as one might have hoped. Lorne has had some hard knocks in recent years, including a rather nasty divorce (after a relatively late marriage) and being wrenched away from a beloved daughter. Worst, however, he has been attacked by a dreadful disease. I have been told its name, but don't remember it; suffice it to say that it is described as a combination of Parkinson's, Alzheimers, and ALS. It is awful awful awful to watch someone deteriorate like that, in such a short period of time. Luckily, he has two brothers and several close friends, all of whom should be nominated for sainthood, who have undertaken to care for him (although he does now reside in a nursing home). In any event, the party was arranged. Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal (and the Review Board before it) was always a very supportive place. Not the management, mind you, the colleagues. If someone's parent died, there was always a contingent at the funeral for support, meals were cooked for the sick, that sort of thing. This event was no different. Indeed, we showed up with such force that brothers and saints were totally blown away.
Lorne, seated, standing from left, brothers and saints...
Sheryl, with a heart as big as the outdoors...
Lisa, of the wonderful smile...
...and Donna, our historian and conscience...
...and Heather, who has done more than her share...
Bill, always the clown, but a good friend...
...Elaine, always ready for a good meal...
So, speeches were eschewed in favour of toasts, and the evening drew to a close. It will be surprising indeed if Lorne makes it to his 61st. An interesting thing, though, when asked what he was grateful for, there was a very, very long pause, and then Lorne said, with difficulty and through his microphone "being alive". A lesson for us all!
(I should mention that the restaurant, The Poor Italian, was new to me, and a great one to add to my repertoire. No one reported a bad meal, and the service - for a group of 24 with an otherwise full restaurant was superb!)
On Saturday night, a happier occasion. Friend Donna's daughter in law was celebrating her 40th birthday, and Donna did it up in style, steel band and all. Luckily, summer has finally arrived, and her backyard (where the steel band played and the pig was smoked) was a lovely spot to be on a balmy evening.
friend Peter who joined me for the event...
Hosts Donna and Pellham...
Birthday girl Cassandra and husband Wayne
The food was great - smoked pork sandwiches and all the trimming, Pellhams infamous palau, and, of course, his even more infamous rum punch!
.........as was the music. That steel band played and played, and it was impossible to keep still....
Topped off, of course, by cake. No, the real ending was the lovely ride home from Tswassen, top down, hair blowing, reviewing the goings on with friend Peter, and having ended the week on a hugely positive note.
And, on that note, good night.
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