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We laughed at how it sounded like the start of a bad joke. A psychologist, therapist, and suicide prevention coach traveled to Nanaimo for a mental health retreat. But it is true! My two friends and I decided a week on Vancouver Island would be fun. Little did we realize that this would involve us in many activities.

The first was when our flight was halfway past Calgary and back to Medicine Hat. It wasn’t very wise for the pilot to announce that we lost an engine and all the water from the brakes! When we finally got there we were told that the airline would pay for the bus but one of the passengers would take it to Calgary. So eight people were loaded in for the three-hour drive to Calgary Airport. That is interesting!

We will spend the night in Calgary and fly out the next morning.

Things fell into place once we got to Victoria and we all had a great time there before heading north. We smiled, shared stories, and got into the holiday spirit.

Nanaimo is good medicine for tired caregivers. The cruise ends with an island picnic. We shopped at other stores in town and walked to the waterfront. It’s refreshing!

Now I love music and I can’t find a small jazz club in the same room as our hotel. Everyone was tired the last night we were there but thought it would be fun to go over and see an artist. I put a ten-dollar bill in my pocket and went to see Katz.

A small martini bar was packed, but the waiter simply seated me at an empty table and explained that this was a night for local talent to “jam”. He pointed to a man named Michael who was in charge of the evening and asked me how I was brought up. I explained that I’m from Alberta and I like to sing some jazz.

The next thing I know, Michael comes to my table and asks to join me. We had a wonderful few hours of visits on many themes. At one point a young man came up to us and knelt while he asked Michael to allow him to sing just one song and Michael told him it would be a different night because the event was packed. Michael is respected and cared for!

After a few hours of talking, Michael asked if I would come and sing with him the following Monday. I told him I couldn’t do it because I had one more gig. (I didn’t mention that my “appearance” was that I was supposed to work the evening shift at the Medicine Hat Health Clinic). When I said I was sorry I couldn’t hear her sing, she said, ‘Stay while everyone leaves. We’ll wrap up and I’ll sing for you.” I agree.

Everyone left the server, Michael and I. As the opening song began, he said “This is for you, Linda” and began singing “Unforgettable.” Wow!

As he finished the song, I shook his hand, thanked him, and waved down the street back to the hotel.

The next day I told my friends about the wonderful lost time. Without any work, Michael gave me an evening with his skills. He made it by singing a song that made me feel special.

When was the last time someone said or sang something that made you feel special? When did you do that to someone else?

Words are powerful when applied to the lives of others. Every day we have the opportunity to share our time and say encouraging things. Just one word can make a big difference in a wonderful memory.

Unforgettable!