Monday, May 10, 2021
To Sandra, family, and friends:
As kids, Doug and I were kindred spirits. We were both daring and, at times, crazy. My first real memory of Doug was, as kids, we teamed up to play "capture the fort." It was during a cold winter's day that all too soon became a cold winter's night. Ultimately it came down to the two of us declaring each other the "winner of the game." And that was always the way we were as friends ... no one a loser, each a winner.
Hey Doug, I asked, can I try on your glasses? Doug had those stylish black glasses made famous by Buddy Holly. Big mistake. I wish he had said 'no!' I could suddenly see so clearly that I felt my life up to that point was lived in a fog-filled world! Man, I explained, I've got to get a cool pair of those! Ended up getting my pair from the same place that Doug did.
One cold day, in the early part of Spring, he mentioned about a Morris car for sale in Truro. A real barn-stored antique. So, what else to do? Being Saturday, we hitched a ride to see it. Long story short, he bought it. He sat proudly behind the wheel, like a king on his throne, as we headed back to Halifax with his newfound treasure.
Weren't on the road too long before we were surprised by a wheel flying by the car in the same direction. He forgot to check the lug nuts on the wheels. His $75 antique got a little more expensive!
I could go on and on with stories about the day he decided to spray paint his fridge a trendy copper colour, the antics with his '47 Chrysler with the suicide doors (remember that car Sandra?), the summer job he helped me get at Canada Packers, convincing me to join the sea cadets, his insane lust for Camille's fish and chips, pepperoni, and icing sugar!
I must stop or go on for days. Alas Doug, we shall meet again and recount the days of innocence. I'll know where to find you ... spinning records in your celestial garage, door wide open, oldies blaring. You'll be wearing a big smile of welcome, your eyes framed with the same stylish Buddy Holly glasses of old.
See you soon Doug, we have a lot of catching up to do!
Your eternal friend in life and after-life,
Ron Doucet
