I wrote a few days ago about Yvette, my friend who visited me in Gent after twelve years of being absent from each other.

Yvette has come to Belgium with three other old friends of mine … the same twelve years.  Yesterday they started an eight-day cycling trip from Bruges to Amsterdam.  They sleep and eat on a well-named barge called the Magnifique IV.

And yesterday I met up with them in the ship’s dining room, where they were having dinner with twenty-five other cyclists also staying aboard.

Hugs and smiles.  And afterwards … conversations of the heart.

I didn’t get the three guys’ permission to use their names or show their photos, so you’ll have to imagine.  Their ages are 68, 69 and 76.  So I get to be the senior in the group.

First there is “Jeremy”, a retired pilot.  He said he misses the freedom of the sky.  No doubt.  He also talked about his two sons who I believe are autistic.  They’re in their 30’s – one living in a group home and the other still with Jeremy and his wife.  The parents have endured decades of stress … and expressed decades of love.  They are heroes to me.

Then “Robert”.  A fellow who always seemed to be laughing in past years, and was doing the same last night.  A gentle soul whose son died five years ago.  We talked of me losing Jody and Robert losing his boy.  And how the pain, while still in our hearts, has mellowed over time.

And “David”.  He was one of the leaders in creating a bridge club in London, Canada … because he loved the card game and wanted others to join in the love.  Today there are over 300 members, and games most nights of the week.  Wow!  First there was nothing.  Later there was something.  Well done, David.

***

It’s my loss (and their loss) that we floated away from each other years ago.  And our gain last night … a reunion.

If all goes well, I’m returning to Toronto and London for a visit in September, 2027.  I’ll have old cycling buddies to chat with once more.