Norm Hacking's Prose
Race Track Hack:
"A Song at Midnight"
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Taxi News,
October 2006, Vol 22 No 10 p.19
© Norm Hacking 2006
This won't be my usual column. Just a couple of things to say, short and sweet.
Besides, Fat Phil says the shorter my columns are, the better they are!
Firstly, a simple heart felt thank you to all of you who have sent good vibes to my mother, the amazing Kathy O. as she continues her battle at Scarborough Grace Hospital. You may have read in September’s Taxinews I’ve spent the last two months cabbing from my mother’s house to the hospital and back, sometimes sleeping over, beside her bed.
In nine out of ten of the cabs I’ve taken this last while, the first question out of the driver’s mouth isn’t “Where to buddy?”, it’s “How’s your mom?”.
It reminds me of my good fortune to be part of a surrogate family – the hacks.
The second thing I wanted to tell you was a story that will remain the most beautiful moment in my life.
I arrived late one night at Kathy O.’s room. She opened her eyes and smiled.
I said to her, “It’s a raw night.”
For a moment the pain left her face as she smiled, and she sang me this song:
“Button up your overcoat
when the wind blows free
take good care of yourself
you belong to me.”
I am constantly astonished by moments of rare grace under fire, and there is much grace these days at Scarborough Grace Hospital.
I’d like to write you a little more but I’ve got to get back to my temporary new home.
God bless to all.
Webmaster's Notes:
Norm's beautiful mother Kathy O. "slipped away" peacefully in the early morning on Wednesday October 4, 2006, with Norm at her side. He had spent most of his time the previous weeks with her - see his September 2006 column "Vigil", and the words of "Olya Katarina", the song he earlier wrote and recorded for her. His November column "Never Goodbye" is a beautiful tribute.
See the list of Norm's on-line lyrics, poetry and prose, including other "Race Track Hack" columns for Taxi News. Norm has been writing his monthly column since February 1992.
Taxi News website is www.taxinews.com with Norm's current monthly column at www.taxinews.com/racetrackhack.html and usually a few archived issues in .pdf format at www.taxinews.com/archives.html (check the last few pages of each issue). Taxi News is a monthly publication with news and commentary on Toronto's taxi industry and is available by subscription or free at distribution points.
Updated November 6, 2006 (new link in footnote)