Happy New Year
Coming to Toronto, we had full intentions of ringing in the new year with Nan and Tap in their apartment at 11:00PM (Midnight in Atlantic Canada). We didn’t start to think about a back up plan until New Year’s Eve. So we decided we would tune in to ASN and watch the celebration from the Maritimes. At 10:30 we celebrated with our friends from Newfoundland. At 11:00, we raised our glasses to everyone at home and then started wishing that everyone could be together and how it will be better next year. We wished that we had thought ahead enough to make our way to the hospital to be with Tap. That’s when it occured to us that it was only 11:10PM. We frantically started calling Limo services to see if they could get us there in time. No Luck. “The Subway”, Ma said as she raised her hands in excitement. We quickly grabbed our coats, our cameras and headed to the subway. At this hour of the night only the Emergency entrance is open. This would be our first challenge. Ma explained to the security guard that she and Dad had been together every New Year for 41 years. He called the 7th floor and we were given permission to move our way through the quiet corridors of the hospital to the seventh floor. We walked into Tappy’s room at about 8 minutes to midnight. He was lying there trying to sleep but still awake. The look on his face was priceless. We flipped on his TV, watched the countdown and got out of there by 10 minutes past, as promised.
It was a fun adventure making our way down and back on the very crowded subway. A power outage on the way back had us questioning how long it would take to get home. Fortunately, it was only about 5 minutes.
We would like to wish everyone a very safe, happy and healthy 2008!!!
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:31 am
Ed my friend, so glad that you were not only able to ring in the New Year with Georgie, but with Mike & his family as well. You are also on the prayer list, down at Christ Church. I’d like to reiterate once again, how much we are all looking forward to your return. My hubby also hopes to be able to visit you too, for a good game of cards:-)
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:46 pm
I found your blog while searching lung transplant sites. I look forward to reading your blog…my partner is hoping for a referral to Toronto soon, so your story will be very inspirational to us i am sure.
God Bless and many prayers from Halifax!
January 2nd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Hi Red (most people don’t know you are the REAL Red). Ma sent me the Cape Breton Post news clip and I was at first astounded, and then, not surprised, at your recovery progress. I didn’t know you were sick until Ma mentioned it to me the last time I was home. I know you have the heart of a lion and will be back home in no time. Maybe you and Mike and I can pick up a gig at Daniel’s, or somewhere even more suitable, like the Whitney Pier Athletic Club. I keep telling my musician friends here in Pictou County that they haven’t experienced great jazz players like you and Mike. I fondly remember our last gig with Ma at the Savoy with that bunch of gals and the reminiscing back stage with you and Mike. It seems like only yesterday we played with Nesbit in our “Canary tuxes”, which I have to a certain extent on video. I remember playing “Action Week” at the old Sydney Forum, dressed like Pinnochio, and loosing it when I broke a string, with Bob harrasing me about taking too long to change it. I was kind of put out because Kevin MacCormack was at the bar loading up on beer for the horn players while we, the much maligned rhythm section had to keep playing EVERY song. You and Mike were right there for me and made me feel that I was right in my consternation. Anyway, we played six nights of that gig in the July heat, and at the end Bob took us all out to the Peking for supper. That’s when we extracted our revenge, ordering everything from lobster chow mein to boo boo ball platters. Ahh… what memories. They will all be in my book. I’m still too stubborn to hang up my guitar, and have passed on the legacy to my son Duncan, who knows all about you and is a great music fan who can play anything. Thank God he isn’t left handed, or I wouldn’t even own a guitar. Here’s to a healthy and happy 2008 and God speed to a complete recovery.
p.s. say hello to that old fart brother of yours.
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Hi Georgie and Ed: we were so pleased to be able to visit with you on Jan. 2. We have been concerned and getting to see Ed put our worries to rest. Ed, you look amazing! and that was right after your first bronch! Keep up the good work and soon you will be back in the physio room. Now you can turn in your Yellow card for the much wanted Green card.
Kelly and Ken
January 4th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
xoxo