Sometimes words of wisdom come at the most unexpected times in the most unexpected places.
Sometimes it is a chance encounter with a stranger.
Sometimes the story is profound.
I was out in the garden Monday morning and the flies were brutal. I hope to high heaven they are a source of protein because every time I opened my mouth I swallowed half a dozen. Off in a run toward the house, I realized I wasn’t fit to enter – covered in dirt from head to toe. So what to do but stick my hands down in a watering bucket. It was then that I stepped on a shovel, tripped and knocked the darned bucket over nicely filling my rubber boot. It was then that I packed it in and decided to have an “Oh Well” day!
The world is full of stories and there are so many storytellers. Some stories are ‘in the moment’, quickly and easily forgotten. Then there are those that are powerful and seem to be implanted forever in the very essence of our being. Some storytellers are dull and boring while others have you on the edge of your seat, hanging on to every word. Some stories and storytellers are profound and surface in our memory again and again and again. For me, it was the one told by a complete stranger, a man named Henry.
It was the Miawpukek First Nation Powwow in Conne River, July 2017. What an absolutely wonderful day it had been – from start to finish! I had left home early morning with time enough to make it to the opening ceremonies. The weather was terrible. It was cold, windy and pouring and I wondered whether it was even sensible to be going anywhere that day.
When I arrived the tents were almost afloat and there were puddles everywhere. It was like the skies had opened the flood gates. I found a good spot to park and waited. Before long, a few people started to move about trying to warm up and dry off a bit. Even from my viewpoint I could feel a sense of anticipation. A man came out from the main tent, sauntered over and jumped into my passenger seat and the story began.
You See, I had an "Oh Well" Day
It was wet, windy and chilly that day when I met Henry.
“So is the Powwow going ahead?” I asked.
“Oh yes!” he said “They are all in a meeting over there – tryin’ to decide whether it should be inside or outside.”
Then he sat a spell to tell me his story.
“Henry’s the name. I’m from New Brunswick. Been here three or four times years ago but not for a while now. Then the boat broke last week and, you see, I had an “Oh Well” Day. Ordered the part right off and headed over here to dance and listen to some stories.”
“So, are you a storyteller?” I asked.
“I’m a dancer and a storyteller. Don’t know much myself. Cup’s only half full most of the time so I like to listen. Then I’ll tell a story or two and when I run out of knowing, I listen some more.
Lost 12 years of my life to a bottle of wine one time. Not so any more. Now, I tell a story or two to someone else who needs to hear. They know I’ve been there so I can relate. And, then I listen.”
Henry told me bits and pieces of his life – some of the hardships, heartaches, mistakes and regrets. But his story was also one of courage, determination and hope. His wife was not able to conquer her addictions and had died some years ago leaving him a single parent to a little child. His mission has since been to provide a safe and happy home filled with love – a better way; a better life.
Then he walked away to dance, to tell a story or two and to listen.
For a long while I just sat there. Somehow I don’t think Henry realized the power of his story or the impact it had in the telling.
The sky cleared and the sun broke through. Yes, the Powwow was fantastic that year. I stayed the whole day and long into the evening – drumming, singing, dancing and listening.
It had been a brief and chance encounter and I was so riveted in the moment that I completely forgot to ask Henry’s permission to write the full story. So instead, I wrote only this segment which was first published in 2017.
The topic of “Oh Well” days surfaces every now and then. In fact, it was just last week that we talked about it around the dinner table. Some had not heard the story before and waited patiently as my sister searched it out to read aloud. All said it was worth the wait!
Then Monday happened and it got me thinking there may be new followers on my blog who had not read the original story so I decided to do this reprint while my boot is drying out.
