The webs that are woven with interlaced friendships bring strength and meaning to our lives. Some of the nicest, sweetest, kindest people in my life are about to gather together for a weekend. I can gaurantee ahead of time that there will be enough laughter to shake the lava out of the major mountain on the island where we'll meet. There'll be enough warm memories to heat the house and there'll be enough fun and food to make every moment spectacular. It'll be like our version of fireworks.
Five of us will be there. Four of us have a rich shared history. One of us is new but it wont be long and he'll be a major part of the gang. (I know you cant guess who the new one is). The life of our group goes back more than 20 years. It begins with Manly and his then lover Dan. In those days Manly was a (and still is) a devestatingly handsome man of Portugese decent. He was a manager in a prestigious hotel chain, a position that was enriched by his european manners and his mediteranean charm. Dan, his lover, is a man just a few years younger than me. Most of his working career has been in a paper mill in New Brunswick. He has been diligent throughout his life and owns several buildings in the city where he lives.
Manly and I met nearly 17 years ago at an AIDS related conference in Toronto. We had a quick realization that we enjoyed each others company and spent most of our free time exploring Toronto and just having fun. We continued to phone each other and a solid friendship developed. About a year later I decided to take a trip across Canada. In those years money was tight but that didnt stop me. I loaded up a back pack, bought a Canada wide Greyhound bus pass and headed out. The pass was only valid as far east as Montreal but I extended myself and continued on to New Brunswick.
About that time I had romantic intentions involving Manly. (He had forgotten to tell me about Dan. Perhaps because I hadnt been very forward about my intent.) When I arrived Manly introduced me to Dan. He was a bit of a surprise but in a brief time he and I bonded. Our religious backgrounds are similiar and that gave us a springboard into discovering not only our individual histories buy also provided an opportunity to discover we have a shared sense of humor. (God help those around us.) Manly and Dan went to huge effort to expose me to maritime hospitality. We toured around the province a bit, visited the sights and just had a lovely time. We also celebrated Manlys' birthday with their many friends who welcomed me as one of their own.
Very shortly after my visit Manly was transferred to Edmonton. Dan and Manly decided to end their relationship but they remained friends and have still got a deep attachment to each other. Manly was totally new to Edmonton and to western Canada so in the first few months he came to Calgary to visit quite often. I still had some attraction toward him but hadnt pursued it. As Christmas neared I decided it was time Manly had a little surprise. I told him to expect a delivery on Friday evening. Some friends were travelling to Edmonton and they got in on the plan. We managed to make a huge collapsible gift wrapped box. We brought it into the foyer of Manlys' building and I was ensconsed inside dressed in my very best elf costume. My friends rang the buzzer, announced there was a delivery and left me there.
Manly was definately surprised. So was Brian who arrived a few minutes later. Manly had forgotten to mention to me that he had begun seeing Brian. Needless to say the evening was just a little on the tense side. Brian is a physician who immigrated to Canada from Ireland. He's blessed with a wry sense of humor that is total charm mixed with his accent. Over time Brian has came to tolerate me and given much more time we have both grown to enjoy each other immensely.
Through the next many years the four of us have gathered periodically at Manly and Brians home or at my home when Dan makes trips to the west. Dan has brought his lover with him to those occasions as well. (That lover is now an ex but still haunts Dan from time to time). As a group we've enjoyed each others lives. We've shared our joys and our sorrows. We've rejoiced together when life has brought good and great changes.
When Moe died Manly and Brian were here to console me. Although I wasnt able to attend I was with them in spirit when they wed last summer. Dan and I talk occasionally on the phone or messenger. Now that Manly and Brian live in Victoria I dont see them often and when Dan comes to visit them I dont get to see him.
A couple of weeks ago when I went to Victoria Guy and I visited with Manly and Brian in their home and went out for supper with them on another evening. Both visits with them were enjoyable and they welcomed Guy warmly into our circle. Since that trip Guy and I have talked a lot on the phone. Getting to know him better and better all the time is a delight. His pain over the loss of "B" is still very deep. Even so he has become a very dear man to me.
About a week ago I got an email from Manly. Dan will visit them in late October and they will spend some time on Saltspring Island. They have invited Guy and me to join them. Saltspring is an island between Vancouver Island and the mainland. It is very much an art colony. Manly and Brian have built their retirement home there. I'm very excited to see it. It's only a little place of some 5000 square feet! I've no idea what they intend to do with that much space when they retire. Raise chickens?
We've decide not to tell Dan that Guy and I are coming. Last night Dan came on line and we chatted for awhile. He told me about his planned trip. I teased him about flying over me and not stopping in. He hasnt a clue that we'll spend a weekend together. I'm so excited. Spending a weekend with Manly and Brian that includes Dan is an extraordinary treat. Getting to spend the weekend with Guy makes a much greater treat.
Looking forward to a warm and wonderful weekend in October.
