Yesterday was a magic day for me.

The reason?

I learned two important lessons.

Never assume anything.

Always be surprised.

One involved a friend, we used to work together. 

The other is David Eby, the B.C. Premier 

My friend contacted me out of the blue a week ago, asking if I could meet him for coffee. 

I said yes and so we did, meeting at a charming Parisian bistro style cafe, near where Linda and live, five minutes away and I was there in a jiffy in my trusty walker.

Once home I told Linda the whole story, the first thing she said – how was it, fabulous was my response.

Later in the evening we watched a terrific documentary on the Knowledge network.

Boy, do they ever have terrific shows.

This one was all about firefighters combatting raging forest fighters in B.C.

Tragically one firefighter died in the line of duty, a beautiful woman, only 19 year old.

A tree fell on her, her older brother telling us how he found her still breathing, her helmet totally crushed.

Enter David Eby.

As is common –  politician of all  political stripes often are asked to comment about these tragedies.

Eby started, composed and in control but then gradually losing it, totally choked up, genuine tears streaming down his face. What a shock, what a surprise.

Now back to my friend.

Earlier in the day when we met – it dawned on me I had not seen him for 55 years.

We started with the usual pleasantries- how are you, what’s new but effortlessy it evolved into endless laughs, endless stories about life and work.

One story in particular –  a story about, lust, greed, and betrayal.

We talked about it for quite a bit and the fact that in his job he travels a lot and learns a lot, hearing what’s really going on behind the scenes of a lot of companies.

Often it’s not pretty and downright scary.

For the owners of one company the movie The Godfather is their playbook.

He talked about this openly-trusting me so that he could tell me all.

We tossed ideas around – finally deciding to pitch one major American media outlet that this would make a terrific story.

An email message was sent with details.

Waiting for a response now.

My friend was funny, thoughtful and kind, a creative genius with major responsibilities. His creativity surpasses mine by a country mile. After two hours coffee for him, mint for me, two cups each, we bid each adieu, promising to stay in touch.

At 71 he looks like a movie star, can you say Harrison Ford, a frequent visitor to Vancouver. 

His instincts prevailed saying I will will trust George with some everyday stuff and some damaging, explosive allegations about people and the companies they own.

My friend is a genuine human being.

Now it’s back to Eby.

Eby also is a genuine human being – in select situations .

Both men approach life differently.

My friend proved he is true genuine compassionate human being.

Jews have a name for that – you are a real Mensch.

Eby shows sometimes he’s human.

My friend always is human.

Both men approach life differently, each approach works for them.

But enough of this – today is another day., a day full of endless possibilities, a life that’s exciting, full of challenges, trials and tribulations- each to be savoured and for us to deal with them.

How we do it is everyone’s choice.

Linda and I will experience another wonderful day, several things are ahead of us, despite both of us recovering from surgery and requiring extensive extended after care, two years for her, for her endless doctors appointments.

Sharing is good for all of us.

Try yourself –  it’s good for your soul and the soul of others.

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