I remember early on in this journey, when it seemed like a journey, I thought that some sociology student could do their masters dissertation on the Brokeback Phenomena. I am sure it will be examined one day, and bettermost will stand as a magnificent document of people dealing with the issues the story and movie brought up for them.
And all that came after. The connection s made, connections lost. I wasn't here at the beginning but I did see a lot of it come about. It was an amazing thing. I have seen come to pass the promise of what the internet was supposed to be when it became common knowledge, a worldwide network of people speaking freely to one another. I have seen instances of it here and there, but this is a community is the most successful one I have been involved in.
I remember when I met Adrian at Davidson College, when we saw Annie Proulx speak and introduced her to the horse. He said he wanted to go to as many of these things as he could before it was overwith, and although I knew that, to hear someone speak it drove it home for me. Yes, it would end one day, and for me it ended in the parking lot of a hotel in Strathmore, Alberta last July. I came full circle, and was able to let that grief go.
It does not mean that I put Brokeback behind me, no it is a part of my life and always will be. That big empty space in my life I have filled with love for friends and for further adventures. I look forward each day to what new details of my own life will be revealed for me.
And I, the amature sociologist, see how it goes, as it does go. The gradual realization that the shared love of a story is not the basis for everything. That people can;t always be friends because they are of a certain orientation or open to acceptance. The personalities settle out among the places they feel comfortable, cliques develop and go away. I am complaning not at all. This is live, and from my vantage point this is beautiful.
And life is fragile. Who knows where any of us might be in a year. Right now though I am thankful I have been right here. Thank you again Phillip and John, and all my friends, which is all of you. It is a pleasure.