Happy Anniversary

Posted by Coral Andrews Oct 4, 2007

I was 15, and had to go and see Woodstock because Lee was showcased in the film that defined a generation. I had no idea Woodstock would define the rest of my life.

We lived in an upscale suburb. The only way into town was the Hamilton bus.

I stood on Highway #8's shoulder miserable in the teeming rain wearing a navy blue Ingo sweater, jeans, and a God-Awful Hot Pink Raincoat, thinking about my so called life.

The damn bus, which was late, roared right past me, splashing me.

Throughly pissed off, I jaywalked across the highway. Standing dazed in the middle of the four lanes, I remember two headlights careening towards me…

It is said I was hit by one car, then dragged a different direction by another, because The God-Awful Hot Pink Raincoat caught onto the license plate.

My Dad emailed me this letter yesterday.

“We had just returned from Ottawa to get my passport extended and came off the 401 onto Hwy 8 and saw all the flashing lights of the police and the ambulances. All the traffic was being diverted from Hwy8 to Edgehill Drive. When we got home, you were not there and we then began to really worry. I called the K-W Hospital and they told me the terrible news; your Mum started screaming when I said you were in the accident. The operator at the hospital told me to go and hold her and tell her you were badly injured but that you would be OK. Then we went to see you; couldn't believe it when we saw you, all bruised and your leg in a cast up to your hip---and a smile on your face!!!!”

By the way... I did see Woodstock four years later. My brother didn’t look that much like Alvin Lee…