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Vancouver, Canada

I started the day in the right way – I walked back down to Gastown for a coffee and brownie in one of the newer, trendier cafes before taking myself to the movies to see Forks over Knives – a movie which “examines the profound claim that most, if not all, degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods”. If you get the chance to see it, do, it is very compelling especially if you’re responsible for feeding children.

From here I strolled towards and around Downtown where a sea of blue and green jerseys swelled denoting tonight as a game night. Still hours away, crowds filled Granville Street and queues formed for every venue along the strip.

I made my way along Granville, away from the crowds, over the bridge and back to the Island where I was to be reunited with my friend Mika.

Have you ever had a night where you were expecting a pleasant evening but ended up having your whole life changed? That’s what happened to me tonight by the good grace and insightful wisdom of a truly rare and beautiful soul.

The evening started extraordinarily with a reintroduction to Mika’s gorgeous 15 year old pugs – Tex and Maggie. It turns out the Maggie is the Canucks pug! A mascot of sorts chosen by the team for her uncanny predictions via Twitter of the outcome of the matches (aided ever so slightly by Mika’s husband, Tom). Apparently she’s quite the celebrity around town and has been interviewed several times for local media. For such a dedicated fan though, I have to say, she showed very little interest in the game which Mika and I were able to track by the shouts and hollers from surrounding houses.

As soon as Mika and I sat down to catch up over a glass of wine, she was able to just reach into my very core with such gentleness and release so much of the burden that has been crushing me. It’s impossible to articulate how she did it so I won’t try. All I can say is that by the time I left that night, I was changed and I knew it. Mika would never give herself so much credit, ever humble and gracious.

I walked home tonight lighter, stronger and more assured that the future is out there. I’ve turned a corner and I won’t turn back.

Mika, thank you.

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