I was lucky enough to travel along to Europe when Kelly and Paul, joined by Doug McFarlane and John Ferguson, represented Canada at the World Juniors in Grindelwald, Switzerland. I’m not sure if the boys’ win was the highlight or if it was travelling parts of Europe with Dave and Kelly.
After the curling, we said our good-byes to a whole gang of kids who had travelled over together with the understanding that if there was anyone left around on May 1st , we would meet at the Athens Airport at 1 p.m.
The four of us left Grindelwald on a high, knowing that the CBC was going to contact the boys to play in the CBC Curling Classic. It would be an interruption of our trip but it was also considered a real honour to be invited into that prestigious event. We trained it across the north of Italy, all the while looking to rent a car. None of the car rental agencies wanted to risk renting to this young group of Canadians until we reached Trieste, Italy. There we found a sympathetic agency owner who had been to Canada and off we drove in a tiny FIAT 124. Singing “Vooolaaari, woe hoe” (You have to sing this part)
We had made our way down the coast of, then Yugoslavia, to Dubrovnik, passing amazing castles, paying off some intimidating law enforcement-types, staying in posh hotels for under the equivalent of about 17.00 a night and drinking the small hotel lobby lounges out of beer. That’s where we found ourselves on the date Paul agreed to call the big wigs at CBC. When Paul found out they’d only fly him in for the spiel and not Kelly, the deal was off. They were a team. And that was that.
We parted ways at that point, Dave and Kelly had their plans and we had ours. Come May 1st , Paul and I were around so we decided to honour the pact to meet anyone else that was still traveling. We made our way to Athens airport at 1 p.m., wondering if we’d see anyone at all. Then around the corner came Dave and Kelly.
We were ecstatic and took them back to the pensione we were staying in that was just a few blocks from the Parthenon and guess what? No room at the inn. But, “if you don’t mind, we can accommodate you on the roof.” What the heck, it was all part of the adventure. So, we spent our evenings on a rooftop in Athens, drinking ouzo and singing with the Stearne brothers. It’s still one of my favourite memories of that trip.
But, real life goes on and we had to go home. At home the boys reunited with Neil Houston and Glen Jackson to take on the curling cash circuit. We all know how that went. One win, I distinctly remember was the $10,000 prize in the Bandon, Manitoba spring spiel. When they got home, I went to the bank with Paul to cash the cheque. He asked for the money in cash, in small bills. He stuffed the cash into a bag and we drove over to Kelly’s house. Once in the living room with Kelly
and Mr. and Mrs. Stearne (their biggest fans), Paul reached into the bag and threw all that cash up into the air. Paul and Kelly, laughed with joy as they picked it all up. It was quite a windfall for all those young 20-somethings.
It wasn’t long after that, that Kelly’s health challenges started. I was always amazed at how he handled it all with such grace. Kelly looked at life as one big adventure story and he decided, that no matter what life threw at him, it was going to be a cheerful tale.
He was a world traveller and he made friends wherever he went. One Christmas, he sent out fridge magnets in his card with the quote, “I’ll get by with a little help from my friends.” Ours is still on the fridge and it will remain there. It’s Kelly’s reminder that life is all about friends and family, for, who are we without our connections?
Thank you for that reminder, Kelly. We were so fortunate to have you among ours and will continue to feel your connection through the joyful memories you’ve brought to our lives.
Until we meet again, you are in our prayers.
Kathi Gowsell
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