Extreme Kindness

Erik's Journal - September 13, 2002

Geography: Red Deer, Alb.

Point form day: Woke up at 5:30am, said goodbye to Dan, watched the sun rise across the prairies as we zipped across towards Red Deer, arrived and had a press conference and staff rally, did two really fun radio interviews, went to the local food a bank and put in several hours of hard labor, had a nap, went to a shelter/soup kitchen and served food from the Red Deer Lodge, called my Dad, had dinner, conked out.

Highlight of the day: Talking to the people in Loaves and Fishes. Very strong people with a lot to say. Some of these people really know what’s going on.

Most inspiring moment: Seeing how the strength one family can bind and heal people.

Shout outs: Dan, I will miss you. You are a seriously cool guy that is bound for great places. Keep up the great energy and keep eating gourmet. Thanks Audrey and the Loaves and Fishes for donating all those stuffed animals. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD. I love you so much.

Classic Quote: At 7:10 am on Red Deer Radio: “Well we were expecting the Kindness Crew here for a interview but they called and said the wind has been holding them up….hmmmm doesn’t seem too windy here but I dunno.” (It WAS windy when we left Calgary, I was urging Brad to go faster but he said he was getting blow all over the road. So when I called to let them know we would be late I may have mentioned that.)

My Crux: Beating the sinking feeling in my eyelids.

Physically Speaking: Beat.

Mental Stimulation: At that stage of sleep deprivation simply moving was extreme mental stimulation.

Big Laughs: I was in such a rush to get the RV packed that I grabbed Dave’s bag loaded it into the RV. Little did I realize Dave was still in the shower and had no cloths to change into. Not funny at the time but rather funny now.

When I finished writing this I was: Sleepy and in the middle of Alberta.