The reason why I’m grateful for fishing is probably going to surprise you.
In Just TypiKel fashion, it net me one of my dearest friends. Without it, we’d probably be just mere acquaintances.
As this is her birthday week and Canada’s postal workers are participating in rotating strikes, I’m worried that my present will arrive late. This is my backup gift to Birthday Girl.
Why I’m Grateful For Fishing
Assumptions are funny things. We first met when I went to pick up my sister Wendy from some Greek do and Birthday Girl was there as a fellow sorority sister. I was 18 and looked 12; Birthday Girl was also 18 and I thought she exuded a mature cachet that I couldn’t hope to emulate.
Fast forward a few Mays to when we found ourselves working together at the Vancouver Convention and Visitor’s Bureau as two of the summer hires. Our boss foolishly shipped the four of us off on a complimentary fishing trip geared to enable us to chat up West Coast Fishing to the tourists.
We were assigned an ungodly early departure time for our first fishing trip.
I wasn’t surprised to note that Birthday Girl had managed to change her outfit. She was now sporting a crisp white cotton blouse complete with stylish eyelets. For a fishing trip in a wobbly rowboat. Not only that, she’d nabbed the best-looking guide. Still wearing yesterday’s t-shirt, I staggered into the last remaining vessel only to find the bottom festooned with dead herring. My comatose guide offered up a monosyllabic “Bait” and hauled on the oars.
The water was flatter than a deceased’s cardiogram and I could easily hear Birthday Girl’s peals of laughter. Ugh. She’d also stayed up all night. How could she be so damn chirpy? It was beyond annoying. I impulsively reached down and plucked up one of the largest herring swilling about at my feet. Fat and firm, it was also particularly slimy. Perfect.
“Ahoy there, Matey!”
Hearing my jaunty taunt, Birthday Girl deigned to give a fleeting glimpse over one shoulder, before summarily dismissing me with a smirk. Game on. I leaned back and hefted. I held my breath as that darling fish morphed into a missile and soared over an intervening boat. It then unerringly landed with a resoundingly satisfying thump, just below her annoyingly perfect tan line. I watched in abject glee as the beaut slid slowly down her blouse, leaving a shiny trail of scaly slime on each and every available eyelet.
Birthday Girl’s response was transcendent. She turned around ever so slowly and granted me a look of pure admiration.
We’ve been the best of friends ever since.
Fast Forward 40 Years
“Any desire to go to Iceland, Kel?”
It was thanks to Birthday Girl that I visited Iceland this past September. You can read here about the top 5 reasons you simply must put that country on your bucket list.
Even though I think I know her pretty well, I was more than a little astonished when early on in the trip, Birthday Girl hauled out a copy of Laugh Out Loud, the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop humor anthology. Had I already given her one? Surely not; it was destined as her Christmas gift.
She quietly smiled.
“No, Kel. I bought it. I have to say that I’m really enjoying the book. It’s perfect for travel as there’s no plot to follow. You just pick it up and read a new story at will.”
A lump formed in my throat. I honestly couldn’t ask for a more loyal pal.
But wait. There’s more proof of her stellar friendship. When I happened to mention that we needed photos of folks enjoying LOL in situ, she was all in.
You, too, can read LOL in the pouring rain on a windswept Icelandic cliff … Note the bare hands. Trust me, Birthday Girl is never without warm mitts except when helping me out …
Or you can read LOL next to a stunning Icelandic waterfall complete with a picture perfect rainbow …
Then again, you can snooze. OR you can tuck into a LOL story while tootling about on an Icelandic coach …
Happy Birthdee, Bud.
Your tangible gift will arrive eventually.
Thank you for those zillions of quirky and memorable stories we’ve shared and please know that I can’t wait for the ones yet to come. And yes, I just know H and P are so very proud of you. You’re one in a million.
As for the spare LOL? No worries. I gifted it to our delightful passenger caught snoozing above. She clearly needed something to keep her awake. A little LOL will do that!
Enough about why I’m grateful for fishing. I’m curious about you. How’d you meet a treasured friend? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
8 Responses
What a lovely tribute to your friend Kelly ! There is truly no better thing than shared adventures with friends ! I am off for a 2 day spa adventure tonight with my 2 “besties” from grade 8 !!
Love to hear all about the spa adventure on Candle Day, Jane!
What a happy birthday gift! Friends are the best, especially long-treasured ones who buy your book and read it in Iceland without mittens.
I know, right?
You never know who you’re going to meet when you’re the Designated Driver. You and Birthday Girl are meant to be lifelong best pals. Absolutely.
So true, Wend. So true.
Super. Your fans are certainly loyal and true blue….and cold. Love this. Please share those photos with Teri for the Erma LOL photo album. They’re super…just like you. Thanks so much.
I’ll fire the pics off to Teri. Thanks, Allia.