A tour in Ontario or B.C. or Alberta or England or Oregon or wherever isn't the same as a tour in Manitoba. This is where I grew up; my family is here (for the most part); my high school friends are here. It's home.
I arrived on Tuesday a touch early - in time to rent my car and go pick up my sister-in-law for lunch. Susie is a sweetie - I've always adored her, and she's been filling a huge role for the rest of the family, being the only family member left to deal with the various issues faced by their aging parents. Both her sisters realize they've gotten off easy, not being around to have to cope with changes in nursing home settings, medical issues, all the stuff that we in the "sandwich generation" have to cope with as our aging parents and growing children squeeze us from either direction.
That night I went for supper with two friends from high school. Gord, Bonny, and I served on the Student Council together (they were, respectively, President and Vice-President; I was "Ombudsman"). Over the past 10 years or so since high school (OK, 20) (OK, fuck you, 30), we've all three remained close friends and every time I end up in this part of the country we go for a meal together and catch up.
Gord and I have been friends since elementary school; the three of us first got together on the very first day of high school. Gord was the coolest guy in school, Bonny was the gorgeous girl that every guy wanted to go out with, and I was ... their friend. And it's still pretty much like that. Gord is now a partner in one of the most prestigious law firms in the country; Bonny is a high-powered banking executive, and I am ... their friend.
It's fine. I love them, and when we sit around and talk during dinner, we have an easy, comfortable shorthand that I don't have with anybody else on the planet. There is no artifice, no jealousy, no resentment, no posturing. It's just us.
Today I visited with Greta - another close friend - and made supper for my sister and her husband. Tomorrow I'll pick up my friend Tricia in the morning and we'll go up to visit my Mom, Dad, and sister Andrea in Gimli. I've known Tricia since we were about 10 years old - she was one of Andrea's best friends. She still makes me laugh. Should be a good day.
Nilbo...I love you. I have my 30th high school reunion this summer. Welcome to the club! Even as I type this, I can't believe it.
Posted by: wordgirl | February 09, 2006 at 01:16 AM
Cool, it was fun to "meet" everyone that way. Sounds like you're having a great time. ;)
Posted by: Laura | February 09, 2006 at 08:12 AM
Sounds to me like you're biggest celebrity in the group, though. I mean, who really cares about bankers and lawyers, you know?
Posted by: Squirl | February 09, 2006 at 08:36 PM
My 30th was a couple years ago and I couldn't go that weekend because of other committments, but I did order an 8 x 10 picture of the group.
Getting together with old friends like you are doing is just the most comfortable time ever.
I Am Jilluss, truly I am.
Posted by: MrsDoF | February 09, 2006 at 09:42 PM
Childhood relationships where you don't see each other for YEARS, yet are still able to pick up right where you left off are a great comfort.
Oh, and I haven't even had my ten year yet. Hehehehehehe.
Posted by: HDL | February 09, 2006 at 10:23 PM
Old friends are the best. There is a subtext to your friendship that just doesn't happen overnight. I hope that I am still close with my oldest friends in 20 years.
And the most prestigious law firm in Canada? Meh. I think travelling performer/published author/playwrite/radio personality trumps that. :)
Posted by: Ern | February 10, 2006 at 02:45 AM
Your turn's coming, HDL. Oh yes...it'll be here before you know it. Hear those footsteps behind you? It's Father Time coming to beat the crap out of you with a big stick.
Posted by: wordgirl | February 10, 2006 at 02:15 PM
My 20th was a few years ago, but for me, there was no reason to go. I am not in touch with a single person who attended school with me.
And no, it's NOT because I've put them in the crawlspace.
Posted by: Bucky Four-Eyes | February 13, 2006 at 04:40 PM
How lovely that your touring takes you back home.
By the way, I MISS YOU!!!!
Posted by: kalki | February 13, 2006 at 07:23 PM
Sounds like you are having an awesome time. Only time I was there was passing through on a train trip from Saskatoon to Toronto. Was too tired to notice much. Too busy sleeping with one eye open so I could kick the creeps and sleezebuckets away from me. Even had to call the RCMP and kick a guy off somewhere in MB. Not good memories:(
I am sure it is a beautiful place, though!
Excellent on the Old Dutch. I THOUGHT it was you:)
Let's not mince words - they are the ONLY chips in the world worth mentioning:)
Posted by: laura | February 14, 2006 at 02:48 AM
Winnipeg is a fun city (I live about 3.5 hours south, in ND, so it is the closest city of any size to us.)
For our honeymoon we plan to visit western Canada though, for something different. Sounds like you're having a fun trip.
Posted by: Adrienne | February 15, 2006 at 11:10 AM
Sounds like you are having a great time. There are a lot of old friends I need to catch up with, I miss those guys.
Posted by: Amanda B. | February 17, 2006 at 02:56 PM
Old friends are wonderful, aren't they? I hope my children can have at least one relationship that lasts their whole lives. It's so grounding and special.
Posted by: candace | February 17, 2006 at 09:23 PM
Cruising through blogs at the end of the weekend, so I thought I'd stop by.
Here's hopin' your travels are going well and your audience appreciative.
Us blog buddies kinda miss ya, tho.
Posted by: MrsDoF | February 20, 2006 at 12:46 AM
Fly safe today, darlin. ;)
Posted by: Laura | February 20, 2006 at 08:09 AM