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| Canadian Forces Snowbirds |
The sun was still up when we went downtown. David Foster was holding a free concert in Victoria, and we wanted to be there to experience it. It was for his foundation's 40th anniversary.
We went, along with tens of thousands, to hear him and his guests.
The grounds were packed. It hit me — we'd normally have to pay big money to experience even a fraction of this. In fact, we usually only see him on TV.
But there we were. Sitting on the grass, on the iconic Fairmont Empress grounds. Not just that — the whole family was there, enjoying his classics together. More than the concert itself, we were there before the sun had set.
I remember a time when I didn't even get to see the sun, cooped up in the office, working. Feeling guilty if I had to leave early, which was rare, and usually only for an emergency. How many times did I have breakfast, lunch, and dinner there — sometimes even midnight snacks or a drink?
On the few occasions I left a little earlier, I'd feel like a client was about to call and I'd have to go back, or my boss would call to remind me of something, or something entirely urgent would need my attention. On the way home, a message ding would send me reaching for my phone, bracing myself for a possible office return.
So I am here now. I get to listen to world-famous talents, in the city where I live, with the family I love. The concert, the planes doing their flyover during the show, the ice cream we ate while watching, sitting on the iconic Fairmont Empress grounds — it's all etched in memory. The grass, the sky, the bright sun, melting ice cream on my hands, handing a tissue to my daughter as she licks hers.
