The Little Black Book

In September of 1968 Mr. And Mrs Harry Kolochuck made a trip to Regina from Spalding Saskatchewan, This trip was indeed a special one , with the joyous news they were to adopt a five month year old boy. To celebrate they brought along Mr. Kolochuck's older brother Alex and wife Vivian as well. Four years previous Mrs. Nettie Kolochuck had been informed she could not have children of her own, After having a horrible miscarriage of birth, and tragedy of Harry's younger brother being killed in a work related accident, The adoption was wonderful news. A happy baby they named Darrell. From the beginning he bounced when he heard music on the radio, record player as well as the television. Three years later in May of 1971, They adopted a daughter from Prince Albert Saskatchewan, That they named Lynn, That Christmas, Darrell's grandmother on his Mom's side of the family, gave him a gift which was a Little Black Book. It was like a journal, to mark down important events and wishes and it would bring him good luck. As time grew on he indeed followed this, But he struggled in school with awkwardness , some weight problems, and at times a target for intimidation, He would go back to the Little Black Book as a prayer and would journal, anguish, dreams ,hopes and fears, that would hopefully disappear . In 1979, His father would have to leave the rural farm outside of Spalding, due to allergies and move to Saskatoon Saskatchewan. Darrell welcomed this, That a change needed to occur , They planned on moving to Kamloops British Columbia, But real estate was not affordable , Darrell's father made a point, That's where they were moving to in four years. In Saskatoon , Life was better, still he struggled with studies in school and some taunts were indeed still the same, He would continue to write in the Little Black Book, But no great luck was yet to happen. But Darrell had been blessed with a voice that was a clear tenor, In his mother's words a gift. Sing or speak, he shone bright as any star. In the summer of 1983, His father's dream became a reality and they moved to Kamloops British Columbia. Finally luck bestowed on Darrell , He developed lifelong friendships, school improved somewhat, and he performed with some very talented musicians. After grade twelve graduation he worked restaurants and retail and decided to pursue a career in broadcasting, Four years of a career that was doomed. Times had changed due to satellite and internet, There was no future of moving forward. He was really hoping his parents could be proud and one day work for CBC Radio. But Darrell made a major error he quit journaling in the Little Black Book which brought grief. Bad luck soon followed, A series of bad relationships, Personal and professional, addiction and not suitable job choices. Darrell was employed at a casino and later at a lumber plant that paid a handsome wage, But inside he felt his life was empty . Darrell felt as a failure, In the midst of all this, his father had passed away. Darrell drifted for some time not knowing where his life was going or ending, But then a light bulb had struck in his stubborn head and he went back to the Little Black Book and began to write again. About a year and half later, A friend Keith, a former musician had called and asked him to perform and add vocals on tracks that were going to be produced on a CD locally. They produced three hundred copies and it sold, Slowly but surely. Darrell would start to write some songs. It was then, another friend, Fred from the broadcasting years had called, They would meet and collaborate on some material. Both having a talent for lyrics as well as music of any genre, Then to Darrell's surprise some royalty payments were issued to Fred and himself. Inspired to write more, His friend Keith produced a new CD. With some new wonderful luck his confidence soared, His live performances were breathtaking, The response from the audience was fantastic, Even some standing ovations. Then one day while Darrell was walking his pet dog. He stopped at a Shoppers Drug Mart by his residence and used the numbers of his birthdate and his father's as well, As fate would play out a kind hand, Darrell won the 649 draw of 4.5 million dollars. The words of his late grandmother's would repeat in his stubborn head, the Little Black Book would bring luck, Eventually.