I took in a deep breath and stood at my balcony window overlooking the street and big sky. I was living in Northern Alberta at the time and the ground was covered in a blanket of snow. A very thick blanket, perhaps you may even call it a down filled comforter.
It was late October, it was minus who the hell cares it was cold, and it was still snowing. I tossed my giant winter coat on over my pjs, stepped into my boots and slid the balcony door open stepping outside.
The cold air smacked my face and iced my lungs as I lit my smoke and drew in the frosted air. It was at that moment I realized something, it was my birthday. I was turning 27, meaning I was officially in my late twenties (I am not sure why that was important, but it was). I missed my friends back home, I missed my family, and I missed feeling like my birthday was of any importance.
I was in a very unhealthy relationship with the guy in the apartment next to mine, who loved booze more than anything else and I was a miserable person. My life was in a dank crawl space during this time, and it felt worse thinking that if I was home in Ontario the day would have been better.
I had a pity party, and as the snow started to cover any space left in the sky my cousin called me to wish me well. As she chimed in a "Happy Birthday!" and I started to sob.
I could hear her gasp on the other end, and she asked me what was wrong. I sobbed and explained that I felt alone, that it was snowing on my birthday for the first time ever and I hated it, and that all I wanted was to be home celebrating with everyone.
She comforted me, and once I had stopped crying wished me a better day. As I put the phone down I sat on the edge of my futon and stared at the wall (something I did a lot back then). My eyes burned and felt puffy as the thoughts in my head went silent.
The phone rang again, this time it was my at the time boyfriend. He wished me well and said he had big plans for the evening (which was nothing, because he got drunk and "ruined my birthday", but that's not the story I'm telling.)
I hung up again, and lay down. The phone rang again, and I didn't really feel like answering it, I just didn't want to talk. After a few rings I reached over, and said a faint "hello".
It was my best in the west friend, and she told me she would be at my place in twenty minutes so I best put pants on (I am famously known in my circle of friends to not have pants on while at home - thus needing warning of any stoppers by).
I told her I didn't feel much like seeing anyone at that moment, but before I could argue more she told me to "shove it" and she would see me in twenty. Feeling irritated, I pulled myself off the couch, did a fast sink wash and dressed.
Happy fucking birthday to me, was all I could think. I had good reason to be down and depressed, and I was doing a really good job of being sad.
Tbe apartment buzzer went twenty minutes later and I let my friend into the building. I could hear her climbing up the stairs in the hallway (not uncommon when your apartment is next to the damn stairs) and with a knock she opened my door.
I was sitting on the couch when she came in, and she told me to get up. She hugged me and wished me a happy birthday, then tossed my shoes and coat at me while standing at the door.
I sighed, put on my shoes and winter coat, and out the door we went. She tossed the car keys at me, and said "you're driving."
What the fuck, I thought. "Fine" I said irritated. "Nothing I love more than driving in a blizzard."
She laughed at me and told me to stop being cranky pants, and I got into her car. As I adjusted the seat I noticed a note stuck to the steering wheel.
"Here's the deal Anderson, you're going to drop me off downtown and then read the note, its a Birthday Scavenger Hunt!!" she smiled. "The last clue will lead you to me."
I smiled and drove towards downtown. She told me to pull over and let her out, and as she exited the car tossed a pirate eye patch at me and told me to wear it while I'm searching. I did wear it for a bit, but it didn't really seem all that safe to drive with an eye patch on. Or walk for that matter, I'm extremely accident prone.
I watched her as she walked away and opened the note. The first note said "The next clue is at the place we listen to music and you point out this CD every time"
It didn't take me long to know what she meant, and to simultaneously realize how repetitive I can be with certain things. I did indeed point out an Esthero CD at the (only) music store in town, located at the fabulous mall. Off I went and in no time located parking, and headed inside.
I got to music store and hit the E section, then flipped through and pulled out my favourite album. There was the second note. This hunt continued on, from the tattoo parlor with a note under the mat, to the toy store with a clue hidden in a train tunnel, to the book store and beyond. Every single favourite place we shared in town, I went to and found more notes leading me forward.
The final note said "meet me for lunch at our place" and off to the Shawrma Hut I went. For a small town in the middle of nowhere (at least to someone from Southern Ontario it feels that way) I was reminded of how many cool places there were, and although the variety of urban delights wasn't as great, what the town did have felt like home.
I pulled into the parking lot of the Hut, and walked towards the door no longer focusing on the bitter cold but dreaming of rice and garlic sauce. As I walked through the door, there was my best friend, sitting across the room at a table with a giant High School Musical gift bag and a bunch of helium balloons.
This time I cried tears of joy. It was a perfect lunch, and the day was saved. My friend had to run off to work in the evening, and yes the rest of that day was a nightmare I'd rather not relive, but that day....that was one hell of a day.
My birthday scavenger hunt is still one of the warmest memories in my mind. I think hollow times often have bright bursts here and there, and to not appreciate them is to live in darkness. The love and care I received from one friend in one moment, was enough to push me forward and keep me going.
I was reminded of this story recently, as my dear friend has just given birth to her first beautiful baby. I tell you folks, this is one lucky kid. He has a mom who understands how to make life magical with her crazy imagination and huge heart. He has a mom who provides unconditional love and care. He has a mom who will make his life an adventure full of surprises, full of knowledge and perspective, full of fun.
I hate that I am so far away. I hate that I wasn't outside her hospital room pacing back and forth waiting for news. But I love her. I love our friendship, and I love that no matter the distance we will always have each other.
I can't wait to meet her son, and kiss his little cheek. I can't wait to take him out, fill him with chocolate and return him past bedtime either, cause that's what friends are for, right?
Dearest friend so far away....
I love you man.
True friendship lasts a lifetime - and includes a road trip that also includes a giant sausage along the way.
Lloyd and Harry
Summer 2009 (aka The Good Time in 09)
