"Lowlandz Speaks"...March 17, 2000

"Lowlandz Speaks"...March 17, 2000

Two To Midnight...

.....and this particular late Friday eve finds me sipping a Bud, listening to Delerium, and gazing at the ever present candlelight whilst trying to focus my energies on writing. We had a snow day today; school was cancelled and I had a day off in the midst of a minor storm that brought about fifteen centimetres of snow. What made today's precipitation particularly treacherous was high winds, making blowing snow and creating high drifts.

Part of why I am so distracted this evening is the fact that, despite having the day off, I was still forced to be on the roads twice today, early this morning and earlier this evening. I do not like driving in winter weather conditions; I have had enough close calls as well as actual accidents to allow me to know the limits of both my driving ability and the capability of my car on icy, snow covered roads. Today was one of those days when I knew it was best to remain homebound. However, I had to drive the overnight client home this morning before conditions made it so that he would had to have stayed tonight as well.

That was just not going to happen. No way, no how.

Nevertheless, in my early morning, not enough coffee, the roads are getting bad haste to return him to his foster home, I forgot some of his medication.

This accounts for road trip number two earlier this evening. While it had stopped snowing, things were more than just a bit greasy, and there were more than enough good ol' boys on the road, who think that their Chevettes can get through anything at any speed, to make me more than a little defensive.

But I made it, and my client once again has his ass cream.

Don't ask.

I am blessed with truly remarkable people in my life, as I have articulated from time to time. Without The Goddess, Freda, Alyx, Rhiannon....I most certainly would be a lost, empty soul, drifting through this incarnation with a sense of helplessness and despair. When it comes to Lowlandz, however, I cannot find a language to put into words the thoughts and feelings I have about our relationship.

So I'll use his.

Lowlandz has been putting together a personal site, on which he is starting an online journal. While not the focus of his space, I am pleased that he is joining the ranks of this distinct community. Upon checking in with his progress today, I found this:

Highlands, as he is known online, is without a doubt my best friend and closest confidant (after my wife, that is). We have shared a special bond since our first rather sudden meeting. As a matter of fact, I think friendship is far to weak a term to accurately describe our lifelong relationship. So please read on to learn more about my brother, Highlands.

It was the autumn of 1978, when during a Cub Scouts meeting we first made our acquaintance. Unfortunately, his introduction knocked me clean off my feet! Yet, we survived that first game of dodge-ball, and indeed, the rest of elementary school. In junior high our interests started to change and we drifted apart...to a point. I was in French immersion while he took the easy courses (Heh heh!). I became interested in girls and he also became interested in girls, but unlike me, was able to control himself. I played hockey, while he bowled. But we were there for each other when need be.
In the chaos that is commonly referred to as high school, we recemented our friendship. It was also during this time that we seemed to have the most disagreements. It seemed at the time that Highlands had appointed himself to the position of Lowlandz's conscience. Thank God he did! I am afraid to think of where I might be now, if he hadn't occasionally put the halt to my half-baked plots. I never said it then, so I'll say it now..thank you, Highlands.
On weekends, we put countless hard miles on our parents' cars, in order to frequent fast-food joints and movie theatres. We started smoking together (if you consider 25¢ Century Sam Cigars to be smokes), and experimented with various forms of alcoholic beverages. I'm sure that most friends of that age group did similar things, but it always seemed different for us because we had such a long history. We had known each other before we ceased believing in Santa Claus and here we were, doing all the grown-up stuff we'd heard so much about. We were grown-ups...or at least that's what we thought.
Through our adult years, we have grown even closer. Each of us knows the other as well as we know ourselves. We have each played the role of Best Man at the other's wedding(s) and were there when the marriage fell apart. Thankfully my marriage survived, and this may sound contemptible but, thankfully his marriage did not. Thankfully, because he has now met and married his one true soul mate, the Goddess. It brings great joy to my heart that they have found each other and that Highlands is finally experiencing the love and affection he so deeply deserves.
Highlands and I enjoy getting to together whenever we can to talk about the important events in our lives, and the emotions these events stir within us. Some conversation are deep and philosophical while others are light and jovial. It really doesn't matter. What maters is that after 20+ years, we have not run out of things to say and I doubt if we ever will.
With all that we share we do differ on matters of spirituality and beliefs. Since these differences add absolutely no tension to our friendship I do not feel they warrant explanation here. He is my friend and brother: without condition. I am thankful that he also shares this sentiment. Imagine what the world would be like if warring nations could understand this simple idea.
Finally, I'd like to thank Highlands for his advice and inspiration in getting this site up and going. Would you believe that I'm the one who had the formal education in web site creation, yet it is he who answers my questions. His journal and wonderful writings have inspired me to start my own journal, although I know that I will never reach the expertise with which he paints pictures with words. But that does not deter me, for it is the sharing of this common interest that I will receive the greatest joy. He really is a wonderful writer and I wait with anticipation for the time when he becomes a published writer. This will happen, and I'll be first in line to buy the book. Lifelong friends get a discount, right Highlands?
From Lowlandz Clan Anderson Site ©2000
Reprinted with permission

To say that I am flattered, to mentioned that I am honoured, to deem myself humbled, all seem like understatements to me.

Thank you, Lowlandz.

You'll get as many free copies as you want.

....Blessed Be...