I started corresponding with Amy as my penpal earlier in 2020 after exchanging post cards and short notes for years. We dubbed our afternoon movies Tuesday Matinee’s (heavily featuring Hannah, Jackie, Tuesday, endless snacks and platypus crocheting - you have seen the Crimes of Grindelwald, haven’t you?) and one time I was even on the receiving end of a letter of her’s that was a mailed and stamped Maple Cookie box 😅.
We met briefly at work but after she shortly reached out once I had my stage 3 diagnosis via e-mail, I’ve been so lucky to call her one of my close friends. I was reading back some of our prime letter writing content and while I will only share my own stories here out of privacy, they really opened the dusty book of memories for me: I document some pretty hilarious and heartbreaking pieces from my life. I figured I would share some here.
(background for this letter: there is a music station in the UK that encourages you and your friends to come up with 8 songs you would listen to straight on a desert island. Here are my picks!)
April 2020
Dear Amy,
The notion of a multi media platform to your last letter aka the supporting Spotify playlist got me so EXCITED. After a fair amount of hum-ing and haw-ing I think I’ve finally got my picks nailed down!
You’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that I loved your song choices. Billy Joel is a staple in our household and I was actually supposed to BE at the Bruce Peninsula concert! What a coincidence? (Is anything ever coincidence?). I couldn’t make it, but it did remind me to reconnect with an old high school friend whom I bonded with music over.
I love the idea of Desert Island Discs and it really got Jeff and I thinking! I definitely want to challenge my friends to it.
So here we go. The top 8 in no particular order.
Friends - Francis in the Lights (feat. bon Hiver)
I have a long history with Kris. When we were in grade 9 we made this unbreakable friendship and when we came into each other’s lives, both of us seemed to blossom and find ourselves (browsing little vintage shops, eating pad Thai in the back of movie theatres, drinking Venti Vanilla Bean Frappuccino’s (I think they’re like 1000+ calories 😅) dreaming of living in New York together (heavily inspired by how many times we watch Rent). When she married Graham, she said our foursome friendship is the best thing that has ever happened to us. It’s pretty special to be best friends married to best friends. When Graham found this song it became a favourite and one that I can always listen to over and over.
Be Here Now - Ray LaMontagne
I first met Jeff when I was only 18 and he was 24. It was pretty scandalous Loblaws drama at the time (he was my boss) and I remember barely being able to get the words out of my mouth to my mom that I wanted to sleepover on Valentine’s Day. He made us pasta (where his roommate lovingly sat at the table with us, eating a portion) and watched a Disney movie (Up? Ratatouille?). We fell asleep holding hands listening to this album, so when things seem so difficult now I like to think back on these easier times.
“Don’t lose your faith in me and I will try not to lose faith in you”
Doin’ It Right - Daft Punk
Okay this song reminds me of Chapters and a hint of my cancer diagnosis. When I used to arrive at the store at 5AM my absolutely favourite thing was to turn on the lights and blast music - something about being alone in this HUGE store surrounded by books. Honestly, I couldn’t believe that I lucked out to get a job that allowed for me to do this. Every morning it put me in a great mood and pumped me up for a great day (on repeat - can’t hold us/Macklemore and any Justin Timberlake). Nearing the end, this was on my playlist. I was going for ultrasounds, biopsies and appointments and trying to keep up the momentum, but I grew to knew something was wrong until I finally took leave in November 2014.
Jolene - White Stripes
Have I ever told you about my long standing love for the White Stripes? When I got an .mp3 player in grade 10, I decided I would become a little bit gothic. I loved feeling like I was ~so~ emo (praising over Evanescence or Good Charlotte), but Jack and Maggie. Were they lovers? Were they siblings? What about that sex tape! I referenced them in my yearbook and when I saw them at Bluesfest - what I attribute to opening my eyes to what music could really be.
Steal My Girl - One Direction
It’s no secret that I am obsessed with boy pop stars. No matter the age I’m still fangirling. Jonas Brothers? N*Sync? Shawn Mendes? Justin Bieber? So when I got cancer my sister got me floor tickets for us to see One Direction in Montreal where we shopped and ate and it was one of my happiest memories to date. We always have the best adventures together which usually revolve around road trips, concerts and smoked meat spaghetti 🍝
John Legend - Let’s Get Lifted
My parents met working at a night club in Toronto. Most kids were listening to Kidz Bop in school, but I had R&B in my soul. Friday nights spent on Limewire finding all my favourite new songs (while playing Neopets and eating pizza awaiting the downloads.. I only got porn and viruses on my family computer a few times…). John Legend was our car soundtrack to school in Grade 9, and it became my Do It For the Love pick, where I got four tickets for free because of my MBCA diagnosis to see him at Christmas with my family in 2019 !
Better Together - Jack Johnson
If I could pick someone to soothe my soul for the rest of my days it would be Jack Johnson. When he came to Folk Fest and I couldn’t find anyone to come with me, I was determined (cancer and all) to go alone. Doing something on my OWN again - I relished in the independence! I ordered a poutine and sat on the grass - I was people watching, it was warm and I felt alive! When he came on, I realized I was small enough on my own and could scoot up right up to the front.
Tall Tall Shadow - Basia Bulat
Jeff and I were moving to Westboro - this is where our lives were going to start! I loved walking to get groceries and a coffee, all the fun food and indie shops. The Record Store quickly became a day off afternoon stroll for us when we saw Basia Bulat’s new release. Bringing her home, it became our most played record that year and during the 2020 pandemic Bluesfest summer we got to see her play live from our cars!
Records remind me to listen to full albums again and appreciate all of the songs, and the songwriter.
Honourable Mention
MTV Unplugged in NYC - Nirvana
When Jeff and I started dating this was our non-stop.
Thank you for the inspiration and making this grey snowy day in April liveable. Can’t wait to hear from you next.
Love,
Sam
