This past weekend i had an opportunity, a moment in time, to escape on a seaplane for twelve hours to attend a party that an old friend from highschool was hosting.
I know that everyone believes that certain places are the most beautiful in the world, but i can say without the hint of a doubt that british columbia on it's bright and golden days is one of the most amazing and breathtaking places in the world. As i flew across the pacific ocean and the plane turned low over a harbour on the sunshine coast i was struck with the beauty.
Those of you that know me know that this would also be the part of my adventure that i had that "what am i doing here" feeling and "how can i get home right now?" As i wandered across the dock i got a text message that said something like "there is no ride for you, go in to the pub and find two guys you went to highschool with and haven't seen for 20 years."
I paced around for a bit. Gathered up my strength and wandered around the seaside pub. I had no idea who i was looking for and my memory struggled to put faces to the names i was given. Eventually i found a table with two grown men, not highschool kids, who looked like the type of men who would have gone to my school. I wandered up and kind of squeaked "are you so and so and so and so?"
And it was. I sat. And we talked. And we had a few drinks. And suddenly it was like time and distance and all the life lived in between faded. We had this shared history and shared stories from youth that transcended nerves and fear. We laughed. We filled in the details of the past two decades. And i was comfortable, like i was with friends.
Eventually my host showed up to drive me to my destination. Someone else i hadn't seen for twenty years, but have shared some emails back and forth with. Someone i have followed through their travels and listened as they struggled with choices about futures and jobs and family. We drove along the winding roads. It was a calmer meeting, we already knew each others stories. He knew i was freaking out on a few levels. That what i needed most was some calm in my life. Some time and space.
I was surprised, am constantly surprised, how so many west coast towns look the same. Feel the same. Sleepy little places where people plant roots, where lives are lived and stories are made and told. Twenty minutes of country roads found us winding down an evergreen lined driveway to a beachfront cottage with a yard littered with tents and dogs and children and adults.
I made my introductions and headed down to the beach. I live on a lake, but the majesty of the ocean always thrills me. I sat as the sun set over the peaceful ocean. I felt proud and happy that i'd made the journey. Just sitting on that beach, feeling okay with myself, letting myself face some fears and do something unknown, just doing that made everything okay in my world.
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