It had to be his smile

 

By Church Mouse

In my previous blog, I apparently put the cart before the horse so to speak. In order to have my stories flow, I will share with you how I met my soul mate/best friend, Gordon. It was Halloween of 1990. A local pickup hockey team was hosting their annual dance before the season started. I hesitated about going because I had just come out of a bad relationship,but then again I didn't want to sit home and watch the paint dry. Not having put much thought into what I was going to wear as a costume, I quickly scoured the place looking for and borrowing accessories such as cameras and sunglasses, suntan lotion and a map.The final outcome was a tacky tourist ensemble, which included a highly unusual sunburn considering the fact that it was the end of October. This I achieved with a excessive amount of makeup.A busy, multi-coloured shirt and a mismatched pair of shorts completed my look. I was hardly a damsel in distress, except maybe for some fashion advice! And off we went.

Part way through the night, as I am chatting with friends and munching on snacks, out of the darkness emerges... my knight in shining armour? Wait a minute.....Oh, great  - he is wearing big red shoes a fuzzy red wig and .......of course the trade mark red nose! Awwwwww. Good grief, and he's coming my way! Five minutes ago I was dodging a guy in army fatigues who wreaked like a brewery. I've nowhere to go we have made eye contact. First words out of his mouth: "Don't I know you from somewhere? I 'm sure we've met!" Being a bit annoyed at his unoriginal line and not wanting to get involved or hurt once again, I sort of gave him the brush off by saying, ''well that was original!" Gordon must have seen something beyond my flamboyant costume and the sarcastic attitude because his persistence prevailed and we briefly got to know one another.

Before we knew, it my ride was leaving with or without me. Since I was sitting close to the wall in a booth, Gordon wouldn't let me out until he got my number.That wasn't a problem because most of the players knew my sis and her husband as he was also a team member. Unknown to us, that night something wonderful was set in motion and the fortress walls that my knight had built around himself slowly started to crumble and over time turned to sand, sliding to the ground to reveal a man of great strength and character. His love, support courage and faith has kept me afloat and pushes me to meet the challenges of being left behind.

Miss you always, Gordon.

Posted on Tue, August 9, 2011 by Megan DePutter filed under

11 comments (Add your own)

1. ChatJunkie/WayneB wrote:
Actually, I like stories that go back and forth and explains something you wondered about in another part of the story. When I read how he explained that you would deal with it as it comes, this story explains the type of person he was to be able to just say it so casually.

I find in telling my story, I tend to go back and forth alot. There is no right way or wrong way to tell it, its all in what you want to share with the reader and when.

Another great post, I will wait for the next one.

Tue, August 9, 2011 @ 7:47 PM

2. Church Mouse wrote:
Thank-you for your insight Wayne. You interpreted that beautifully.Putting his own concerns about his own diagnosis aside to be there for me shows me how much Gordon truely loved me.It is hard for me not to put him on a pedestal because I saw all that he dealt with, without feeling sorry for himself.cm

Tue, August 9, 2011 @ 9:56 PM

3. Megan wrote:
You have a way of writing that is sad and beautiful at the same time.

I agree with Wayne. I like stories that go back and forth in time. It's how we look back at our own lives. Memories float in and out, we reflect on different moments in our past at different times, and they relate to us in different ways as we age.

Also, with blogging we need to be able to write about what is on our minds today, without feeling constricted, so I think going with the flow of what you feel like writing about is important.

I am enjoying your story and look forward to the next post as well

Thanks, Church Mouse!

Wed, August 10, 2011 @ 11:58 AM

4. Herbie wrote:
I have really enjoyed reading your first three blogs. You have a very unique style of writing that captures the reader's attention. I look forward to your next piece. Keep up the great work!

Wed, August 10, 2011 @ 12:14 PM

5. Sweet Pea wrote:
Looking forward to the NEXT Chapter!

Thu, August 11, 2011 @ 11:05 AM

6. Pat in Kincardine wrote:
This appeared in our church bulletin recently. I have no idea who wrote it but I thought of you, Church Mouse. It goes like this "Imagine you are in a crowded stadium. There is noise all around: peanut vendors are shouting sales pitches; announcements boom out of loud speakers; fans talk, cheer and boo. What would you do if you had a messge to share with the crowd and didn't have a microphone or loud speaker? Even if you yelled at the top of your lungs, only a few people might hear you. On its own, your voice is too small to be heard. But if you passed it along and got a crowd of people to join their voices with yours, your message might begin to be heard."
Keep up the good work, Church Mouse. You are being heard!

Thu, August 11, 2011 @ 11:09 PM

7. Church Mouse wrote:
A huge smile from the Church Mouse!
Pat that was lovely thankyou for sharing that with us.A vision popped into my head of people doing the wave at a sporting event, it takes involvement,timing and effort to pull off something that big.

I am really enjoying the opportunity to have my voice heard and knowing that I maybe helping others warms my heart.
There certianly is more to come I have 15 of my journals that I am drawing from.I will be back soon.CM

Fri, August 12, 2011 @ 3:40 PM

8. Tashauna wrote:
Your narrative is unfolding beautifully Church Mouse. You truly are blossoming through this blog. While your story includes tremendous loss, I can hear it is also infused with hope, laughter and resiliency. Your heart and voice are just shining through my dear. I am so proud of you.

Fri, September 16, 2011 @ 11:27 AM

9. Megan wrote:
Well put, Tashauna. I second everything you said! :)

Mon, September 19, 2011 @ 11:12 AM

10. Church Mouse wrote:
Once again thank-you everyone for your support and comments! cm

Tue, September 20, 2011 @ 1:09 AM

11. Church Mouse wrote:
Thank-you ladies!

Mon, November 14, 2011 @ 12:42 AM

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