52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2021: Week 23 (BRIDGE)
This week's prompt BRIDGE had me thinking about my hometown of Nelson.
There is nothing that makes me feel homesick like seeing a photo of BOB (The Big Orange Bridge).
I immediately think about my childhood where stopping before going onto the bridge meant we were going for ice cream at Dairy Queen. When we went over the bridge we were going to A&W for Teen Burgers delivered by the car hop and eaten in the car. I think about swimming in the West Arm of Kootenay Lake & gazing at the beauty of BOB as we floated below. I think about teenage hangouts under that bridge. The beach & park just beside BOB where the scene of so many of the best times of my childhood & teen years occurred. BOB was a major part of my growing up, and a big part of my attachment to my chosen hometown.
We moved a lot while I was growing up. I was born on an Air Force base in Quebec. I started school on an Army base in Alberta. My parents got divorced when I was 8, and we began moving A LOT! I was in 5 schools in 3 provinces for grade 3, 3 schools in 2 provinces for grade 4. My brother was in Kindergarten and Grade 1 for all those moves.
From all those moves I learned 'make a friend today because I might be gone tomorrow', and became very friendly building surface level friendships wherever I went. My brother learned 'why bother making friends today because I probably will be gone tomorrow', and stayed to himself building a few lifelong connections. Now that we are adults, and I look back over those years I'm not sure which one of us was better off.
Once I became an adult folks would ask me where I was from. I was always stumped for an answer. I would sometimes give a vague 'oh I have lived all over Canada' or I might explain the constant moving if it seemed they were truly interested.
I'm not exactly sure when I claimed NELSON as my hometown, but I do remember feeling less confused by the question when I had a ready answer.
I lived in Nelson for part of grade 3 & 4, all of grade 5, 6 & 7, the last week & final exams of grade 8, part of grade 9, all of Grade 10 & 12. When I add up where I lived the most Nelson definitely logs more residential time. I think this was the logic I used when I chose Nelson as my hometown.
When Nelson is near on my trips back home I immediately feel safe. Nelson is my hometown.
Not matter how I old I get - I am a Kootenay girl, I am a Nelson girl!
When you don't really have a hometown, and you choose your own!!!
Cause ...
You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!
This is why I search -
Sources:
BOB photo, Retrieved June 12th 2021 from
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nelson%27s_Big_Orange_Bridge.jpg
City of Nelson Welcome You with Bob photo, Retrieved June 12th 2021 from
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mytravelphotos/4958099993
Links:
Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/
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This post struck a note with me. I went to 5 schools before high school then one high school so I didn't make long term friends till high school. Mind you there are people I have known for 50 years. Not many but a few.
ReplyDeleteAfter high school I moved away but have now come back and can't think of anywhere else I would want to live.
It's interesting to have so few longterm connections
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