Reflections of 2018 and The 3 Corners
This has been an extraordinary year, a year of extremes, of tests of endurance and mettle.
Politics seem to be consuming us; glued to the news we have held our breath wondering what was going to hit us, and through it all, I believe we’ve forgotten to remember all the good we have in our lives. That’s not to say there aren’t challenges. There will always be challenges but when we live from fear the rest seems to fade away and pale in comparison.
For us, life seemed to fly by in its usual hectic pace until the last day of summer. Fall came in with a vengeance. One moment I was setting up my paints on the kitchen table getting ready for the weekend and the next, I was running for my life into the basement as a tornado hit us head on.
The last 3 months of the year have gone by in a blur — pure strength of will getting me through a lot of it. My husband, our kids and friends got me through the rest. People I hadn’t seen since car pool days were walking to our home offering us a place to sleep, a meal, a coffee, helping hands — whatever we needed or would need. And they kept coming, calling and emailing. Hearing their concern on the phone or through their messages got me through the days. Our kids were there to take us in, make sure we had what to eat, help us clear out the spoiling food in the fridge and just moral support.
And our community? Well we would look out for each other, check in to make sure we were OK and share stories about the reconstruction. We’re avoiding the conversation about the bareness, the lack of trees that graced the area for over 150 years. Those conversations will continue in Spring. They’re too painful to have right now.
Because of all that’s happened a question I mulled over was, “What is life really about?”
Relationships.
In many ways the tornado defined so much of what’s to come this year. It’s not getting a new home, contrary to what some people think; it’s being repaired and restored but not replaced. Every time a wall was opened a new discovery of broken pieces was found and had to be fixed. The building crew never fail to ask how I’m doing and to show me the progress which they, with so much care, are making. The tornado brought my world to an abrupt stop. The shock of the experience was surreal but that too is life. We all deal with crises and trauma at some point in our lives.
I have a lot to be grateful for. I’m grateful I was curious enough to look out the front door to see what the noise was coming down the street. If not, I would have been at the kitchen table preparing to paint next to the window that shattered, glass flying across the room. I’m grateful for our kids and friends and all those who have reached out and continue to, to make sure we’re OK. Time in this case doesn’t make it easier.
I continue to ask myself what will test me in this new year, and how will I face it? Will it require sacrifice, or risk? Will I take a moment out of our hectic life to check in with people dealing with trauma and health issues myself or wait until someone fills me in by chance? I choose the former.
This past weekend some of us from the 3 corners met for dinner to check in with each other, commiserate over the rebuilds, share what’s working and what seems to be taking an eternity, but all wrapped in laughter as we shared our own personal stories of the event and planned a get-together when we’re all back and settled. These relationships are everything. This is our neighbourhood, a family by choice, all there to support each other through thick and thin. We are really blessed to be surrounded by the best neighbours anyone could ask for.
To them, to you all, I wish you a year of resilience, laughter, and wonderful new memories in the making. Here’s to an amazing 2019!
Politics seem to be consuming us; glued to the news we have held our breath wondering what was going to hit us, and through it all, I believe we’ve forgotten to remember all the good we have in our lives. That’s not to say there aren’t challenges. There will always be challenges but when we live from fear the rest seems to fade away and pale in comparison.
For us, life seemed to fly by in its usual hectic pace until the last day of summer. Fall came in with a vengeance. One moment I was setting up my paints on the kitchen table getting ready for the weekend and the next, I was running for my life into the basement as a tornado hit us head on.
The last 3 months of the year have gone by in a blur — pure strength of will getting me through a lot of it. My husband, our kids and friends got me through the rest. People I hadn’t seen since car pool days were walking to our home offering us a place to sleep, a meal, a coffee, helping hands — whatever we needed or would need. And they kept coming, calling and emailing. Hearing their concern on the phone or through their messages got me through the days. Our kids were there to take us in, make sure we had what to eat, help us clear out the spoiling food in the fridge and just moral support.
And our community? Well we would look out for each other, check in to make sure we were OK and share stories about the reconstruction. We’re avoiding the conversation about the bareness, the lack of trees that graced the area for over 150 years. Those conversations will continue in Spring. They’re too painful to have right now.
Because of all that’s happened a question I mulled over was, “What is life really about?”
Relationships.
In many ways the tornado defined so much of what’s to come this year. It’s not getting a new home, contrary to what some people think; it’s being repaired and restored but not replaced. Every time a wall was opened a new discovery of broken pieces was found and had to be fixed. The building crew never fail to ask how I’m doing and to show me the progress which they, with so much care, are making. The tornado brought my world to an abrupt stop. The shock of the experience was surreal but that too is life. We all deal with crises and trauma at some point in our lives.
I have a lot to be grateful for. I’m grateful I was curious enough to look out the front door to see what the noise was coming down the street. If not, I would have been at the kitchen table preparing to paint next to the window that shattered, glass flying across the room. I’m grateful for our kids and friends and all those who have reached out and continue to, to make sure we’re OK. Time in this case doesn’t make it easier.
I continue to ask myself what will test me in this new year, and how will I face it? Will it require sacrifice, or risk? Will I take a moment out of our hectic life to check in with people dealing with trauma and health issues myself or wait until someone fills me in by chance? I choose the former.
This past weekend some of us from the 3 corners met for dinner to check in with each other, commiserate over the rebuilds, share what’s working and what seems to be taking an eternity, but all wrapped in laughter as we shared our own personal stories of the event and planned a get-together when we’re all back and settled. These relationships are everything. This is our neighbourhood, a family by choice, all there to support each other through thick and thin. We are really blessed to be surrounded by the best neighbours anyone could ask for.
To them, to you all, I wish you a year of resilience, laughter, and wonderful new memories in the making. Here’s to an amazing 2019!
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