A shortish piece for a week where we’ve been worried about friends and family not doing so well, medically speaking. That said, it doesn’t have to be all gloom (although, the January weather here – please, weather gods, just a few hours of blue sky! Is that too much to ask?!) Right, on with the story:
L, a good friend, was taken unwell recently and rushed off to a local hospital. Alright, we’ll go see how he’s doing. Nope, not there, he was transported to a larger hospital the next big town up. No worries, we’re heading there Tuesday, we can drop in. Ten minutes before arrival, I picked up a voicemail. “Hey, L here, I’m not in Port, I’m in Victoria!” We can do that, had plans to be in Victoria at the weekend, so called back and left a message saying we’d track him down… By the time we got home from Port, a new voicemail. “Don’t go to Victoria, I’ll be heading to Tofino by the time you hear this!” Sure, that’s an easy reach from home.
We finally caught up with L in Tofino. I thought he might be a touch miffed what with all the travel. Nope, not a bit of it! Instead, a model of grace and calm. He’s been hither and thither, up and down and over and across the island in the past week. Prodded and poked, weighed and measured, yet still in pretty good humour given the circumstances.
Smiling as he recounted his travels, he whispered he doesn’t need but would quite like an air ambulance to the mainland, just to grow his recent medical transportation collection, you know, to complete the set.
Over the years, L has been a logger, a fisherman and a trucker, loving aspects of each – particularly the travel – the more difficult and remote the better. So being bumped around in an ambulance on roads that have seen better days wasn’t too bad. “The medics couldn’t understand why I was so happy! I didn’t mind, seen worse, felt worse!”
I left L with a pile of sports and outdoor adventure-type books he’s keen to read. “Yeah, you can go now. Let’s see what we’ve got here. Hockey? I dunno, not any more, not at my age. Hold on! Mountain climbing, eh? Haven’t done much of that, could be good…”
Yes, mountain climbing, eh! Well, why not? Curiosity and being an adventurous type can keep one going. L has about 25 years on me, and I wouldn’t put it past him to be out in front again soon, with me struggling to keep up.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a pleasant weekend!
OldPlaidCamper 
Your friend L truly is an adventurous type, given his cheerful attitude at being frequently transported while ailing. And you two are great friends. I enjoyed the sights along the way, pc, a lovely series of nature, society, and the peace of home. I especially enjoyed this story. Peace to you, my friend.
LikeLike
Thanks, Jet! I hope all is well with you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know how your friend keeps up with the good humor under these circumstances but all the more power to him & best wishes for happier adventures ahead! Thank you, Old Plaid Camper!
LikeLike
Thanks, Walt! It’s the good humour that keeps us ticking along – we aim to laugh, even if, sometimes, finding reasons to can be a challenge…
Hope your week is going well!
LikeLike
I sat in an ambulance once, quite the bumpy ride. Glad your friend got through the travels and hope he has a full recovery. He is hard to keep up with, hope you had/have a good visit. I liked the photos of the trees and the boats, and yes, also that rug that Scout is lazing on.
LikeLike
Ok, second attempt – the first reply disappeared, apologies if it turns up or this is a repeat! L is doing ok, will catch up with him this week (assuming he doesn’t get another transfer!) I’ve never ridden in an ambulance, and will be quite happy to keep it that way as long as possible!
I hope your week is going well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazed at your friend’s calm manner and hope L and your family are recuperating and feeling better! I bet he has fabulous stories and I hope he has you out mountain climbing soon. I need to work on my attitude, I don’t even handle doctor appointments that well. Lovely photos this week and hope you’ll be visiting your friend at home soon!🙂
LikeLike
Thank you! He’s doing ok and we’re visiting again this week – if he hasn’t engineered a ride elsewhere…
I’m lucky to have Mrs. PC’s medical skills close to home. I’m a terrible patient and avoid doctors as much as I can – difficult given the people we know and my last director was a doctor! Makes it hard to dodge any appointments when you’re surrounded… Following the Everton debacle isn’t helping my blood pressure!
I hope your week is going well!
LikeLiked by 1 person