Chances Given

It was in October of 2014 that I lost my job at Chimera Cafe, a job that had been supporting me and my partner Jessie Mathieson. At the time I had been working on the outline for Dark Transmissions at a snail’s pace, having to balance a full-time manager’s work schedule with my personal writing deadlines. This is a challenge I fear that is faced by almost every struggling writer out there.

We rarely see the work that goes into the things we love. We usually see the end product. We don’t see the exhausted days, the sleepless nights, the days gone without food, money or companions as we tap into ourselves trying to channel something creative through ourselves onto our chosen canvas.

And with that there I was in October of 2014 for the first time since I could remember in years, without a job and no stable source of income. I had no real money saved up and only a goal in mind: I needed to finish writing the book that would one day become DARK TRANSMISSIONS. And that is where Jessie Mathieson stepped up her game. She said she would support me as I finished and edited the book. And Jessie did just that, paying for our rent and food. Sure I picked up the occasional packing job or warehouse gig here and there, which helped when our finances were stretched too thin but this burden was on her and I am so grateful for what she did.

Sore backs and muscles from these labour jobs reminded me that this was not where my tale would end, but rather where it was beginning once more. Eight long months of un-employment later and here I am with a published book and a stable job. And over this easter week-end the opportunity presented itself for me to return a portion of this most loving of favours that was done for me.

Jessie, my loving partner, moved back to her home-state of Maine to take care of her older brother Abe, who has autism and cerebral palsy. He is a wonderful soul and has the mind of an infant in an adult’s body. Selflessly she is taking care of him, and giving him the safe home that he needed. Because Abe was being incredibly mis-treated in the group home he was living in.

Without missing a beat she was there to take care of him. But she had no idea how hard the work would be. And it took me one trip down to Maine to witness first hand her daily hardships. Now the obstacles that are keeping me and Jessie apart are two fold. One: we simply cannot afford for me to be un-employed and second I can’t live in the states without a visa. Unfortunately the first problem is directly responsible for the second one.

But I couldn’t just stay here in Canada, living a comfortable life knowing what my partner and love was dealing with every day. So after coming down for a weekend this easter and witnessing Jessie’s plight I made a realization.

This was my chance to be there for her. I came back home and requested my vacation time. After explaining my situation to my managers they granted it to me and I purchased myself a bus ticket and return plane ticket. In a little under a week I was back in Maine and helping Jessie with tasks like meals and the laundry.

I heard from my closest friends that I couldn’t afford this. And in many ways, financially I can’t. I am the living definition of a struggling author, and while I know I won’t always be struggling, it is the current challenge I am facing. But I can always work for more money. I can always work more hours, work is part of life.

The one thing I won’t always have the chance to do is be there for someone who needs me when they need me. Those are the real chances of life, the true tests. Can we be there for the people who love us when they need us? Those are the moments that matter, those are the chances that are priceless and make life all that much worth the living.

Be it for a stranger you’ve just met, or the person you have loved your entire life. When life gives you an opportunity to be there for someone, take it. That is the true treasure and value of a person. Not the contents of their wallets or bank accounts, but rather the content of their character and soul.

Until the next article.

In love, light and laughter.

Be well

DaV