A Family United

Today was my last day to spend with Tim. He is the third of our little "non-threatening triad" to depart the city of Montreal. Karen was the first to go, off to Toronto and then to Hong Kong. Next was Char, flying over to Paris (just kidding, she's really gone to Marseilles). And now Tim is gone. As our circle gets smaller, it's becoming harder and harder not to get too emotional. Which isn't to say that I didn't feel as sad about Karen leaving as I do about Tim leaving, it's just that it carries so much more of an impact now that only three of us are left.

This is the second year that I've been separated from a circle of friends. Last year, Adil, Christos, Sophie, Bella, Arjun, and Christina were the ones to go. I still keep in touch with Adil, we speak almost every other week on the phone, catching up and such. With many of my other friends, I haven't been as faithful as I could have been, but friendship is a two-way street and I've not heard from many of them either. Which is why I'm saddened by these departures. It's very cliche to say "We'll keep in touch" but when you get right down to it, it's really hard.

My cousin Linda, who graduated from Acadia University last year, said that it was probably one of the worst periods of her life, in that she had to let go of many friends. And even though Linda is notoriously good at keeping in touch, it's still hard for her. She spends a helluva lot of effort writing e-mails, making phone calls, and sending postcards, but it will never be enough. I worry that I may not be able to do it as well as she does.

When I think about last summer and the goodbyes that came with it, I get a feeling of being left behind, the lone survivor. But at the same time, I'm glad I had the extra year because if I hadn't stayed I would have never met Tim, Char, and Karen. Nor would I have gotten so close to Ken and Suling as well. We did poker nights, game nights, movie nights, trips to other cities, camping, card games and bubble tea at L2. We beat each other up in Street Fighter and Soul Calibur, we out-rolled each other in Katamari Damacy, we even smashed each other into walls and other cars in Burnout. Because I stayed, I was lucky enough to be a part of a new family. We held each other up, supported one another when times were hard, and made each other laugh. Most of all we learned to love each other for the little quirks and habits that make us all who we are. I will always remember Suling's "Nasty nasty!", Char's "Chut up!", and Karen's "Fuckedy fuck fuck FUCK!"

In five days' time, I will be flying out to Vancouver, and away from Montreal. And as I was walking home tonight after saying goodbye to Tim, a sudden wave of grief overcame me and I had to stop and let the tears flow. I realized that the more I wanted to get away from this city, the further away I'd be from my friends. I will miss Tim & Char, Ken & Suling, and Karen, and hopefully one day we'll all be together again as close a family as ever there was. Here's to you guys, and the good times we had together!

Cheers!