Happy Anniversary to My Best Friend and Life Companion

Written by Harold McNeill on July 27th, 2013. Posted in Uncategorized



My Best Friend and Life Companion

Pub in Prague, Czech Republic: Lynn gets tuned up for an evening on the town.
(Slideshow: My Friend and Life Companion)

July 28, 2013

Good Morning Lynn,

Happy Anniversary my dear.

Gosh, this will be the first year in twelve years that we have been together in Victoria for our anniversary celebration. Given the wonderful weather over the past month and the number of family visitors, it was a very good year to be at home.

Of course, last year would have been the first, but it seems I just abandoned you in favour of taking that five-year-old hell-on-wheels, Grayson, on a month-long camping trip across British Colombia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.  Funny, as I recall, you said something along the lines of, “Oh dear, do I have to stay at home on my own for a whole month?” I don’t seem to recall any sadness in those words. Hmm….

By the time July 28th rolled around last year, I think Grayson, Jay, Bjorn and I were somewhere in Southern Alberta, perhaps in Medicine Hat attending the rodeo you so kindly booked for us. Yes, yes thats where we were.  If I remember correctly, Bjorn, Jay and I popped a cap or two and certainly kept that wee Grayson busy keeping the fridge filled (it was very hot in Alberta). Oh, that wandering, carefree, cowboy life has a certain appeal. But, I digress.

Seems this year we have just made it by the skin of our teeth, with our pending departure in a couple of days. I guess we can justify the 7034_171066332528_2828324_n_2upcoming trip as an anniversary gift to each other. Sound Ok to you?

Now, of the many neat things (and there are a good many neat things) I could say about being married to you is your willingness to hit the trail on a moments notice and your willingness to challenge your inner most fears. I really never believed that you and that anaconda you pulled from his pen, would become buddies.  Oh well, just goes to show.

It seems my premonition of twenty-nine years ago (that living with you would be a life filled with adventure) has certainly come to pass.  Even that little adventure that popped into our lives on November 5 some twenty-five years ago has turned out pretty well.

Dropping that particular bit of news on me just before my retirement was, how shall I say, a bit of a life changer. Anyway, the multi-year adventure seems to be polishing off rather nicely and has certainly allowed us to spend more time exploring the world.

Whether surfing Australia, parasailing in the Swiss Alps, ski dooing in Antarctica (well, as close as we could get), rock climbing and surfing on the back of a cruise ship, zip lining in Jamaica, cuddling cute little reptiles, chasing wild pigs and crocks in Louisiana, or any of the dozens of other adventures that seem to come our way, I don’t ever recall you having shown much hesitation. Well, perhaps, on occasion, just a tad.

I think you may still have to take that leap of faith from the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas if we should ever return that way. By the way there is a cute little Wedding Chapel at the base, we could renew our vows! Of course the only reason you missed the last jump is that on that particular day the boys and girls had gone their separate ways. I know how very disappointed you were.

So, in closing, I thank-you for saying “yes” that spring day some three decades back as we sat on a park bench at Willows Beach in Oak Bay having lunch while keeping a look-out for some idiots who had been causing damage in the park (or was it in that surveillance van in Brentwood Bay). Am I not the romanticist?

Love you,

Harold

 

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Comments (3)

  • July 28, 2013 at 8:08 am |

    Knowing (and adoring) the two of you, we attest to the friendship and adventure you share. It is always a pleasure to experience them both when the opportunity arises in our lives.

    Love and hugs for a happy anniversary,
    Ann and Herb

  • Harold McNeill
    July 28, 2013 at 9:37 am |

    Thanks guys. That snorkelling, surfing and general fun trip to Hawaii would certainly be worth a repeat … maybe we can also convince Esther and Garth next time around…can you imagine, Hawaii would never be the same…

  • July 29, 2013 at 8:37 pm |

    Set the date and count us in!!!!!

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Comments

  • Mike Fedorowich

    September 1, 2023 |

    I have gone through the above noted text and have found it quite informative.
    I am a former member with several law enforcement agencies from across Canada.
    I worked in the First Nations service under the authority of the RCMP with the over sight of the OPP. My law enforcement service was conducted under the authority of the Nishnawbe – Aski Police Service in North West Ontario the Louis Bull Police Sevice in Hobbema AB, the Kitasoo Xaixais Police Service in Northern in side passage on Swindle Island, the Lac Suel Police Service North West Ontario and the Vancouver Transit Authority Sky Train Police Service. I’m presently dealing with an RCMP member for falsifying a report against me for a road rage event. Court case is finished and the charge was dropped but I have an on going complaint with the member and have forwarded to the WATCH DOGS IN OTTAWA FOR the RCMP review and consideration. I believe the said officer is in violation of his oath of office and should be held accountable for falsifying his RTCC all the while dragging me through the court system here in Nanaimo. RCMP continue to stonewall the appeal but Ottawa and the crowns office are still looking into the matter. if your able and find the time or the interest in this very brief introduction, I would very much like to speak with you and would be grateful to hear any wisdom that may come across from your end. I served with First Nations Police Services for ten years in isolation and six years with Transit Police out of New West Minster. I do value and appreciate any time you could spare to chat for a bit on this particular subject matter. Respectfully with out anger but an open mind, Mike Fedorowich Nanaimo BC 250 667 0060

  • Harold McNeill

    February 28, 2022 |

    Hi Robert, I do remember some of those folks from my early years in Cold Lake (Hazel was my aunt and our family spent many fond times with Uncle Melvin, Aunt Hazel and Family. I knew Lawrence and Adrian. Having read a half dozen accounts it is clear their were many false narratives and, perhaps, a few truths along the way. I tried my best to provide an even account from what I read. Cheers, Harold. (email: Harold@mcneillifestories.com)

  • Robert Martineau

    February 25, 2022 |

    Its been a long time since any post here, but its worth a shot. My Grandfather was Hazel Wheelers brother Lawrence, and son to Maggie and Adrien. Maggie Martineau (nee Delaney) is my great grandmother. The books and articles to date are based on the white mans viewpoint and the real story as passed down by the Elders in my family is much more nefarious. Some of the white men were providing food for the Indians in exchange for sexual favors performed by the Squaws. Maggie was the product of one of those encounters. Although I am extremely proud of my family and family name, I am ashamed about this part of it.

  • Julue

    January 28, 2022 |

    Good morning Harold!
    Gosh darn it, you are such a good writer. I hope you have been writing a book about your life. It could be turned into a movie.
    Thanks for this edition to your blog.
    I pray that Canadians will keep their cool this weekend and next week in Ottawa. How do you see our PM handling it? He has to do something and quick!
    Xo Julie

  • Herb Craig

    December 14, 2021 |

    As always awesome job Harold. It seems whatever you do in life the end result is always the same professional, accurate, inclusive and entertaining. You have always been a class act and a great fellow policeman to work with. We had some awesome times together my friend. I will always hold you close as a true friend. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you this summer.
    Warm regards
    Herb Craig

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Hi Dorthy, So glad you found those stories and, yes, they hold many fond memories. Thanks to social media and the blog, I’ve been able to get in touch with many friends from back in the day. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Well, well. Pleased to see your name pop up. I’m in regular contact via FB with many ‘kids’ from back in our HS days (Guy, Dawna, Shirley and others). Also, a lot of Cold Lake friends through FB. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Oh, that is many years back and glad you found the story. I don’t have any recall of others in my class other than the Murphy sisters on whose farm my Dad and Mom worked.

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Pleased to hear from you Howie and trust all is going well. As with you, I have a couple of sad stories of times in my police career when I crossed paths with Ross Barrington Elworthy. Just haven’t had the time to write those stories.

  • Howie Siegel

    November 25, 2021 |

    My only fight at Pagliacci’s was a late Sunday night in 1980 (?) He ripped the towel machine off the bathroom wall which brought me running. He came after me, I grabbed a chair and cracked him on the head which split his skull and dropped him. I worried about the police finding him on the floor. I had just arrived from Lasqueti Island and wasn’t convinced the police were my friends. I dragged him out to Broad and Fort and left him on the sidewalk, called the cops. They picked him up and he never saw freedom again (as far as I know). I found out it was Ross Elworthy.