Sometimes I wonder why I stay in Cranbrook....

Sometimes I wonder why I stay in Cranbrook nine years after retiring from a fantastic teaching position at College of the Rockies here. I was totally immersed in my work at the college so never really became a part of community life, and in retirement have more or less been an observer rather than participant in the local scene. Yesterday, once again I "stumbled when I saw" to borrow my favorite line from Shakespeare's 'King Lear.'

I headed out for my afternoon walk towards downtown planning to make a stop at the Pharmasave drug store. I started to feel a bit light headed, but made it to Pharmasave, refusing to admit to myself that I had a problem. I made my purchase and was chatting away with Diane, the pharmacist, and Andrew, the manager.

Diane suddenly asked me if I was all right as I had broken into a sweat, and then my legs gave out and I headed for the floor. Andrew apparently grabbed me and broke my fall. There I was sitting on the floor with Diane and Andrew looking after me. They wanted to call 911 but after a glass of water and about 15 minutes regaining my wits, I felt OK, and managed to walk home.

They did insist that I call my doctor which I did and have just arrived home from seeing him. Looks like I suffered some kind of virus attack that sure came on quickly and seems to have disappeared. I have to take it easy of course, but am feeling so much better.

And Diane and Andrew contributed so much to how much better I feel today. I am a strong believer that people show up in our lives at exactly the right moment for a good reason. In fact I think I could write a book on the subject. First, they looked after me in a moment of crisis when in one of those moments, my life changed from a guy out for a walk to collapsing on the floor, and secondly, I won't be so quick to wonder why I am here in Cranbrook.

Thanks Diane and Andrew. By the way, Andrew's brother Ben Rutledge is a member of the Canadian Gold Medal Rowing Team in the Beijing Olympics.