Bet you didn’t even know, did you? Then, it’s true what they say about fame being fleeting? It all started at the annual Canada Day BBQ chicken dinner in Westmeath. Shelia and I were seated with my brother from out of town and a sister from up the street.
Suddenly I recognized a familiar voice droning from the stage and when my name came up I turned and realized I was being recognized for an award. It was a lifetime volunteer award although it felt like I had been involved with the community for two lifetimes! Actually when that long speech mostly filled with exaggerations mercifully ended, reality set in when I was called to come up on stage. I was both embarrassed and in complete shock.
Ironically I had been promoting a well-deserved person for an award this year who I felt had felt been overlooked. Now I sensed a bit of shame too for taking his place.
Once up there, congratulations were in order, I was expected to say something to this crowd chomping on their chicken and licking sticky fingers. All I could think of was my usual seven sentence speech. It was short but no matter, I doubt if anyone paid attention – too busy eating. A few did glance over wearing dazed expressions.
Not a month later someone said to me, “Did you steal that award?” Could anyone really do that? It wasn’t my intention! Throughout my life I always desired to be “number one” for once, just noticed for myself. Except for occasional whimsical moments, it didn’t happen. Those brief flashes were forgotten by the next day. I took solace in accepting being number two or lower – much lower.
Once while working for a company in Toronto. I had noticed that the muscle-bound steroid-consuming shipper was bullying one of the stockroom guys. The next time he came into the purchasing office I couldn’t hold back and spewed out everything on my mind. When looking me square in the eye, I felt like it was goodbye Bob. Instead he turned and walked out. A few hours later he came back and said, “Bob you handled this situation like I would have. You and I are alike.” I thought to myself, no way I am like him! Then I thought of what my father had drilled into me, “if you stand up to a bully, he will respect you.”
I do write columns for Whitewater News going on four years now and I do get a rare comment like, “Did that really happen” or “Was your experience supposed to be funny?” I compose them for my own pleasure and whether anyone reads them is not a concern. My only unease would be if the editor says, “your time is up.”
Two years ago at the performance of the Cobden Players my ticket number was called for a door prize. I thought I’d let Sheila go up and accept the prize. She deserves a thunderous applause too. Anyway the prize was two beautiful ceramic soup bowls made locally that we came to treasure. They lasted almost two years until they broke. Our newest cat got its claws caught on the tablecloth and when being lifted off, she dragged the tablecloth with her. The bowls and a few other things struck the floor smashing into smithereens.
Days after I received the award I was gassing up at Kenny’s Store. I tested the attendant on how famous I was by saying, “What do you think of that guy who got a “Lifetime Volunteer” award from the WDRA?” Maybe she was concentrating on pouring gas but she replied, “I don’t know anything about it. Did it happen in Beachburg?” I even called my favourite cousin about it. “Dave, I got an award on Canada Day.” It went right over his head I guess as he responded with, “Really? That’s nice … and how do you think the Leafs will do this year.”
I get it. My 15 minutes has slipped into oblivion. There is just one bad thing about being a volunteer, especially if you get a little attention. You are famous for 15 minutes and then the next week you have to do it all over again. 15 Minutes of fame.
