Day of Celebration

 Last Monday, a new post from Excalipurr Cat Café appeared on my Facebook news feed. Julian Kelly, the brother of the owner of the cat café suddenly passed away. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the privilege to meet Julian. However, Chelsey and her mom have helped me through some hard times so I figured the least I could do was attend Julian’s Celebration of Life.

Julian died suddenly and young. Just a year and seven months older than me. I was prepared to attend alone, but upon arrival, I saw Susan and Carlie. Susan works with SCRAPS-MJ, one of the rescues who works with the café. Carlie is the landlady of the building the cat café is in. I sat with them during the ceremony.

After the ceremony, Susan, Carlie, and I went into the lobby where there were tables set up along with a lot of great looking food and goodies. We talked to people we knew and gave our condolences to Chelsey and her mom.

Last night, I attended another kind of celebration. I want you to picture this;

It’s March 2014. I travel to Regina for the third time that year. This time it’s to attend the album release for Snake River’s album “McKruski”. I saw Snake River a month ago opening for Rah Rah at The Exchange. This show is at The German Club. I get off the bus and take a cab to The German Club. 

“It’s right there,” the cab driver points. 

“I still want a ride please,” I respond.

Two minutes later, I arrive at The German Club. I’m so nervous that I feel like I will throw up. This is the first show I’m attending on my own though I’m staying with a friend. 

I walk in and to the big doors. To my shock, the doors are locked. Maybe I’m too early I think as music begins to play. Looking around, I spot stairs going to the basement. I walk down them, music gets louder.

At the bottom of the stairs, I see a man sitting at a table, taking the money. I hand him a $10 bill and sit down at an empty table. There are people talking to each other, no one I know. I’m terrified and hope people I have met show up.

“Is anyone sitting with you?” a man asks. 

Thinking he’s just going to take a chair, I respond. “Yes. 

To my horror, he sits next me. I recognize him. He is in Snake River. The bass player I think. 

“Is this the first show you’ve attended?” the man asks. 

“No, but it’s my first one on my own.”

“Do you live in Regina?”

“No, I live in Melville.” 

“I get it,” the man says. “I’m from Saskatoon. I remember how scared I was when I started attending shows here. I live in Regina now. Everyone is pretty friendly. You’ll make friends quickly.”

After a short silence the man asks. “I’m Jeff. What is your name?” 

“RaeAnne,” I say as we shake hands. 

“Now you know someone!” Jeff says

I meet three other new people.

Ten years and two months later, a lot has changed. I live in Regina now. I also know way more people. I’m at The Cure, sitting with friends, watching the bands set up. They are not only celebrating ten years as a band, but ten years since the release of McKruski. 

Hold on – I need to say hi to someone. 

Okay, I’m back. Let’s continue.

The opening band is Radiation Flowers. I’ve seen them open for Snake River before. It was in the fall of 2015 at The German Club. It was one of the first shows I attended after taking a three month break from attending shows in Regina. Late the previous year, I messed up and was convinced everyone I had met in Regina would be angry at me. Turns out that’s not what happened. I’m welcomed with open arms and reassurance that everything is okay. 

I get emotional during Snake River’s set as memories from the last ten years come flooding back. So do the regrets of the mistakes I’ve made. The regrets soon fade as I notice a couple of friends, Tiny and Lexi go outside. I decide to join them. We talk and laugh.

As the evening ends, I carry with me a renewed sense of gratitude for the people who have touched my life and the moments we have shared together. And as I step out into the night, I know that wherever life may lead, I am never truly alone, for I am surrounded by the love and support of my community, bound together by the threads of friendship and shared experiences.