Tomorrow just happens to be Valentines Day so this little homecoming story fits in fine.
Years ago, while Norma and I were meandering through the Strand Area in downtown Galveston ~ closer to the beginning of their reign in Canada than the end, I ran across this Montreal Expos bobblehead in one of the little loose ends gift shops that still exist to bait the appetites of Sunday afternoon Houston tourist perusers.
It reminded me of two close friends from Montreal that I have known for nearly fifty years ~ and longer than my quite lengthy marriage to Norma. Their names are Serge and Ginette Masse’ ~ and they were my apartment neighbors back in the day that Serge and I were just getting started with our health careers in the Texas Medical Center.
Serge was finishing his residency at MD Anderson. The same Dr. Serge Masse recently retired as one of Canada’s foremost oncologists. Now Serge and Ginette live out the life of grandparents, world travelers and passionate contributors to the arts and needs of their beloved Montreal.
The bobblehead I once found in Galveston, which flew from the USA as “Le Grand Orange,” is now on the ground in Montreal and on his way to his new, but permanent home with my good friends. They know that he’s coming and they’ve seen what he looks like. And I get the satisfaction of assurance that this little special item will avoid any garage sales that my wife and son may plan for my stored things, should I be called upon to make an unexpected trip of my own anytime and eventually in the nearby or far-reaching future.
It is better to give those things that we love ~ to the people we love ~ while we still have the options of conscious decision-making at our disposal.
Here’s the “South of the Border” song parody I wrote that already has reached Serge and Ginette prior to the arrival of “Rusty” via e-mail.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Everybody!
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With All My Love to Serge and Ginette Masse’
North of the Border! ~ Up Montreal Way!
That’s Where We Fell in Love ~ ‘Neath the Stars Above,
To Watch the Expos Play!
Then We Were Abandoned! ~ Our Team Went Away!
South of the Border! ~ Down Washington Way!
Prepare My Homecoming! ~ Our Spirit Still Lives!
I’m Coming Home to You Two! ~ In a Late Passing Through!
By the FedEx I Flew ~ Just for You ~ Both of You!
Look for Me Thursday! ~ Or by Friday for True!
Please Treat me Gently! ~ And I’ll Never Leave You!
My Name is now “Rusty” ~ Le Grand Orange One!
And if you find me a shelf! ~ I’ll be a Good Little Elf!
And Your New Shining Sun!
I Never Stop Smiling! ~ Get Used to It Now!
I’m What You Might Call a ~ Bobble~Head~Sacred~Cow!
February 14, 2019
Happy Valentine’s Day,
Love and Peace, Forever,
Your Ancient Houston Friend,
Bill McCurdy
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Bill McCurdy
Principal Writer, Editor, Publisher
Tags: To Montreal With Love
The Pecan Park Eagle 
February 14, 2019 at 3:01 am |
Nice story Bill – reminds me of a baseball memory of my own involving “Le Grand.” My brother, my cousin, and I were all trading baseball cards. I offered to trade a double of Rusty Staub to my cousin, but it had its price. Prolonged negotiations left my brother very restless and agitated. Finally he exclaimed, “Just give him le Grand Orange already!” The expression stuck for years.