A tender and aching abdomen and back were the order of a few days, to the point of breaking through with several doses of hydromorphone to allow for a decent night's sleep. Since I'm considered my own best physician, I kept my oncology nurse informed of my bodily rebellion with a decision to keep to my next appointment on August 21st. Things improved on a daily basis so no need for any heroic efforts to jump the queue to get in earlier. Besides, for what? Without any glaring physical malfunction, there isn't much to do except stay ahead of any pain. This is a regular reminder since it's been almost five years since being deemed 'medically incurable.'
The last couple of weeks since returning from our 'teenage ride in the sun' through Nova Scotia has been overflowing with summer activity which creates the memories we'll cherish for years to come, God willing. We've had grandkids keeping us in a playful mood at the splashpad, making Lego, swimming pool fun with friends and marathon breakfasts of feasting on Grandpa's now famous crepes! Over and above all that I've attended another 3 day course which will be fodder for a future blog. Today, I'm sitting in my late brother's living room in North Bay, another return trip to continue the process of putting Andrew's life on earth to rest. Lucky for me, Mike is in charge on this trip. More on that at another time. I'd like to focus this post on one part of our Cape Breton tour and the outcome from daring to ask.
Last time, if you read these posts on any regular basis you would have read about the beginning of our for real ride of the Cabot Trail starting out in North Sydney and heading up the trail counter clockwise. The reason for this is to be on the outside lane of the road and get the best view. Now, the way people were telling me about the sheer cliffs and sharp turns, I imagined a roadway with no protection from the elements, make one wrong move and poof, you're history. What changed everything for me was the fact there are guardrails along the entire trail. Oh sure, if you smashed into one of the guardrails on a motorcycle and were ejected off the bike, you would go poof over the edge. It didn't even occur to me during the ride. I was more concerned about oncoming traffic taking the tight twists and turns and keeping on their own side of the road. There's really no need to tell you about the one close call we had the day before because we're not talking about that. Let's stay with the real ride for today.
On our practice run, we stopped for lunch, after which, while the boys were visiting the ' LCBO candy store', I popped back in to ask the local wait staff if there were beaches along the route where I could collect shells. They gave me the name of a beach and then also gave me the name of Neil's Harbour which is famous for the sea (beach) glass washing up on its shores. I mentioned this last time about how breathtaking the scenery was with stops at various look outs. We came upon the shell beach at a turn in the road where it turned sharply but on our left side was an accident with so much commotion I waved Mike on and we passed the shell beach altogether :-(
As we kept going, passing many tiny outposts I was sure we'd simply passed by Neil's Harbour. Along the way I know my brother was smiling down on us when we drove through North Bay Beach and passed Andrew's Pizzeria! What are the odds when my brother Andrew, lived his last many years in North Bay, Ontario. Some may say mere coincidence; I say no way.
Quite a ways further up and down, in and around, we drove into a wide open space with an easy to read sign pointing to Neil's Harbour off to our right. It was one of those when you get a little closer you simply can't help but sigh with the sheer quaint postcard look of the scene in front of you. As I mentioned last time, it was so picturesque, it must be on some Nova Scotia travel commercials. Geographically I think it's maybe the most north easterly point in Cape Breton but don't quote me on that. 
Off to your left is a small rustic building called the Chowder House and, being early afternoon, of course the boys had to try some Chowder. The place was packed with sweaty tourists from everywhere patiently waiting their turn to order up a taste of what was likely one of the best chowders they'd enjoy on the east coast. I ventured way out my comfort zone and ordered Salt Cod Fish Cakes and Chow Chow. Do you know what Chow Chow is? I didn't but learned it's green tomatoes. Etch :-( Mustering up every adventurous bone in my body I nibbled a little of this concoction. Hmmmm, almost tastes like pickles and relish. I think I can actually do this. Not quite walking the plank but a big step for me nevertheless.After lunch I'd promised myself an ice cream from the Lighthouse Ice Cream Parlour. There were small frames of pictures made of sea glass for sale, begging me to take one home. But no place for such fragile items on a motorcycle already packed to overflowing. Sadly I turned away and focussed on the delicious Nova Scotia treats. I asked the server where we could find the sea glass and she motioned over to the sand beach, which was quite a little walk from where we were.
Being in Harley boots and long pants, with a destination we were trying to get to, I regretfully declined going down to the water to collect a few pieces. What I did do though, was run back into the little lighthouse, and asked the girl working if she’d consider picking some glass for me sometime. I told her I’d be willing to pay her for doing so. She'd already told me she lives in the village, just up the hill as a matter of fact. I gave her my card and hoped for the best. The best for me would be to receive an email from her saying she'd agreed to help me out by plucking a few coloured gems from the sandy shore. I was thinking about how many people must go through that little lighthouse and if she did something for every crazy woman asking for favours, she’d never work.
As it turned out, last Wednesday in our mailbox was a little box all taped up - yup from Neil’s Harbour and tucked inside was a sweet little decorative box with a card inside along with a double bagged collection of sea glass - 163 pieces in all!!! I marvelled at the different sizes and colours, all with a hint of sea salt creating an opaque look to each little gem.
The note inside the box read:
To: Liz
Here is some beach glass from Neil’s Harbour Beach I have collected for you. I hope you like them. Thank you for visiting the Neil’s Harbour lighthouse, we hope to see you again sometime J
From: Teah
From that gesture, my faith in humankind has been restored and my heart bursting with hope. I was so excited about this story I shared it with a lifeguard at the pool the next day. He's a 19 year old whom I've known for a while and gotten to know better during my walks in the pool at the Y. When he heard the story, even he was totally taken with the kindness and generosity of this wonderful soul from Neil's Harbour and how it gave him a glimmer of hope as well. He then shared with me how he's going off with his family to PEI for a final summer vacation then moving to Toronto to start at U of T. He'd given his notice at the Y and the next day, Friday was going to be his last. I was so touched by his question as to whether I'd be at the pool the next day. How could I say no. As it turned out Friday started running away on me, little last minute Sally having to be at the Spirituality Centre for 4 pm for 3 days!
In my haste, I decided he didn't need a store bought card from me so on my way to the Retreat Centre I stopped and gave him one of my personal contact cards along with a piece of sea glass. He looked at it, looked at me and asked "Is this a piece of sea glass?". I confirmed it was and suggested he keep it close to continue to reaffirm his faith in humanity. Also, I invited him to contact me with updates or even just to chat by email. Whether he does or doesn't isn't the point. I've extended my hand in friendship like planting a mustard seed in a field, simply letting nature take its course.
After all of this I couldn't help but email my Nfld buddy Johnnie with the story about the sea glass. He responded to my message by saying:
'I read some time ago about the journey beach glass has had-tells a fantasy-dreamy path from captains on ships and pirates and vessels of many years ago with beer/food and bottles being tossed out to sea to return to Neil’s Harbour and turned into nature's treasures -the notion that that little girl had --to wrap some up for a stranger and send off by post - well I’m just saying-the message of hope travels far and by any wind, we are all like the piece of glass - starting off one shape and fashioned into another ...'
'Even the notion that one bottle would break into a million pieces -get tossed by the sea and smashed on the rocks and placed in the hand of an angel, what then, be willing to bring the glass to those who need its healing.
Elizabeth, you have been given 163 souls to heal .'(one for each piece of glass in my parcel).
Any further interpretation of this story I leave to your mind, heart and soul. As for me, it's the reaching out from one human being to another, without any real expectation of gaining from it, simply a gesture of friendliness. See what can happen? Who knows where those 162 remaining pieces of sea glass will end up and how many lives will be made just a little brighter by Teah gathering the pieces and sending them to a stranger in Ontario.
Hugs until next time,
Liz
dobbsjones@gmail.com
"Prayers wrapped in faith and sent with love are the greatest gifts we can receive."
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