A few days ago I posted a post called Pass The Muffin ! with photos which could have been confusing, because the pictures from my 60th birthday in 2018 as in last year. 🙂
What a different situation it was last October. After more than 30 years my kidney transplant had failed and I had succumbed again to relying on dialysis 3 times a week, 4 hours each time, in order to stay alive. That sad change was just before my birthday last year and so I asked for a special birthday celebration in 2018. It could have a somber birthday but it wasn’t.
Last October, what a wonderful amazing group of friends from hither and yon came! Amazing people, they boosted my spirits exactly how I needed it. What medicine for me that was!
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October 7, 2019
I’m almost six months post transplant which was April 24. 2019 and I celebrated in a different way. I only had muffins on the 7th, but I have it on good authority that CAKE is on the way this weekend !
Not being able to go more than a few days without dialysis meant last year I couldn’t go far, so this year and feeling so much better I wanted to celebrate my health by going away.
Away we did go, to Sooke, BC. (click here to learn about Sooke), it involved a day of driving from the Okanagan valley where I live, to the west coast and Vancouver, BC. The next step was a 1 hour 45 minute ferry trip to Vancouver Island.
We still had about a two hour drive and groceries to buy because we were staying where the rainforest met the sea in East Sooke, trees and moss behind us, and the Juan de Fuca strait in front of us (no stores). We stayed at Sookepointe, click here if you want to learn more about the location.
We were on the extreme southwestern tip of Vancouver island, and the view from our deck was awesome.
To the west we could look into the harbour of Sooke, and see seals swimming along, boats entering and exiting as they headed out to fish, and to the south we watched freighters slowly exit or enter the strait. You can see in the map how far we are below the Canada/USA border.
If you imagining ocean and a panoramic view, along with a warm fireplace, you have got it! Salty air, the sound of waves on the rocks, playing crib and a short holiday – very cool.
This was a wonderful memory created this year with my Dad, my son Dave, my wife Sue.
The cake is coming that is true but having my health back, and freedom is the best present ever.
Huge thank you to all my readers, and your encouraging comments and ongoing support – hugs ! I hope you enjoyed this post.
Life and Random Thinking 
Happy Birthday and many more. 🎂
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Thanks Lynette, I will post next about being in the newspaper, but if you can’t wait, see the local news for Penticton Western.
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Looking forward to your post! 🙂
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It all looks very idyllic, life is very precious ❤️
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East Sooke is very forested, lots of the small deer that live on the island. A road winds around the perimeter and it’s about 30 kilometres one way to get groceries. Peaceful, remote, and lovely. I imagine they have lots of rain based on the forest and moss. Life is precious I agree, and we soaked up the fresh air there together.
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What a wonderful birthday! Enjoy that cake:)
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It was very memorable for all terrific reasons. Thank you!
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That’s some well-deserved cake!
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My sweet tooth says Absolutely!
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Glad you had a wonderful trip! It’s such a beautiful part of B.C.
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Never been there before, very nice. Maybe next year Tofino..
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Loved the photos, and seeing your happy faces!! So thankful with you for your good health and ability to enjoy travel. Anywhere would be nice, but you sure are in a gorgeous part of the world!! Hope the cake was good! Happy Birthday and many more! My Birthday is October 6th and my daughter in-law made me a fabulous carrot cake. I hear you made front page news recently! It’s such a wonderful story, with every reason to rejoice!!
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Wow, I had a nice bike ride to start the day and now your kind response, it’s a grand day already Claudette. Thank you. Carrot cakes are yummy, next October 7, thats going to be my choice 🍰
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What a wonderful way to celebrate a special birthday!!
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You are sweet. Thank you for your kind thoughts
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