Sunday FunDay

 Woke up at 9:10 and quickly remembered it was Sunday and got ready for church in 15 minutes wearing my black jumper and gold shoes. 

One of my favorite things is running to church because I know I am running towards something important and meaningful to me.

I was only a few minutes late, but everyone was up and singing. A woman gives me a kind welcoming hand gesture to come inside and I sit listening to Pastor Jesse. Her voice is very soothing and calming and makes me feel God’s spirit. I had so many prayers for those suffering from the fires in California. There were a very small group of 10 people there, which did not surprise me because Belligen was a very hippy type of city and I do not see them choosing religion over their own values and belief system.

When it came time to “Peace be with You.” A man walked from across the room just to shake my hand and everyone there acknowledged my presence. They were very nice and after I was invited to a Thursday 10am breakfast with the ladies. It was really nice being part of a small community where people were that kind-it was not somewhere I would live in Australia- but this was what I was looking for in terms of being present, being supported, and feeling included-it was really nice.

I quickly stopped for a chai latte and then wen back to do some cleaning. We had our adventure planned to visit the creek and go swimming. It was a whole plan that I did not think would interest anyone, but when I mentioned doing something else they were very ready to hang out together.

We went to the river all as a nice group of friends, which took us some time to get there physically and literally. We had a plan to go to “Never Never Creek,” which turned into Never never going because they gave up on hitchhiking within the first 10 minutes. There was a convenience station, there were French fries, and they were gone. Dirk and I were left walking up the street and then we decided to turn around and head to their “secret spot.” I had the opportunity to go to Coff’s Harbor as the receptionist and amazing nice person Dale was going to give me a lift.

While we were walking back towards the river, I was thinking, “This was a big mistake hanging out with them for the day.” Athenia was complaining and complaining that it was too hot and she didn’t want to walk so far. Zach was being silly asking ridiculous questions and I was just ignoring their stupidity. I thought to myself, “Ok so what is my Plan B?” I can’t sit and hang out with these people. I thought it would be a good idea to have some time to bond with one another before separating. I really did like Dirk and Zach and Athena and I started to become much more friendly, but this was not a great start to our time together.

I asked them where they were going and they wanted to head to their secret spot along the river. My last attempt at being positive and optimistic with them, I said, “Great lets go.”

We went through the green pastures and passed by the horses to get to the river. We had to cross through the rocks to get to the other side. It was a really beautiful location with very few people there-super peaceful and quiet. It was just the three of us as Derek was on the way. Zach was trying to keep his head under water for as long as possible as he wanted to practice for deep sea diving.

The current was great, which made it the perfect day for tubing. We were hoping that Derek would bring the tubes and he showed up bringing the 3 black tubes. I was ready to go and Athena was going to stay back and watch our stuff. It was absolutely magical-the clouds, the sky, and laughing with the guys. I almost flipped over a couple times, but I saved myself!

When we came back, they were making French fry sandwiches and I decided that I wanted to go listen to live music. It was either Sunday house DJ across the way or live Jazz. I stopped by to see the DJ and he was pretty good, but there was no one there except a couple families.

Athena was sleeping and super tired, but I came back and told her “Let’s go to jazz.” She actually said, “Ok,” which I was very surprised by as she did not like to go out much. She was a very big hermit and living inside her comfort zone.

We walked in and the place was packed. The band was great and even she said that she loved them. She stayed for thirty minutes, which I predicted and I decided to stay for the whole set.

They were younger guys with piano, drums, and a Brazilian playing the bass.

Within a few minutes of Athena leaving, an Australian outback looking, mid 30s starting talking to me. He was a Carpenter visiting from Sydney with his friend. We had a brief chat and he told me about his itinerary the next couple days. His friend was making fun of his hat and he said that it would look much better on me. The conversation faded out and they ended up leaving to go eat and I was standing there directly in front of the jazz band….with my eyes locked on them.

There was a good looking older guy that had a shirt that said, “Nomad Symphony.” I saw him in the corner and he had moved to the front next to me. He said that he received the shirt from the band who was playing at a local festival. He was a tall silver fox and his name was David…..

And the connection between two friends started right there at Jazz. Two strangers collide and their worlds cross in this beautiful nostalgic way…. 

                  To be continued.....