I often sit and think about my path to get here. I don't think there is a specific starting point to that path, but I can go as far back as being freshly out of university, and working on completing teacher's college. I was living in Owen Sound, and not exactly experiencing much balance in my life. During that time, balance became my quest. I was snowboarding everyday and every night, I was seeing my family every day, but I was missing: friends and a career. Balance.
A chance post by two friends in the spring of 2010 who were in the process of heading to teach in England, changed my life. If you go far enough back in my posts, you can read about that story. I'm not here to retell it. I'm here to carry on with what I started. Writing this blog, in the past, was extremely therapeutic for me. Perhaps I can find that peace in writing again...so...here goes!
Chapter X - Moving to Alberta.
A bit of a funny story...I was living in Toronto during 2011 - 2012. I was spending a random spring weekend in Owen Sound visiting my family. I had stopped by my parent's friend's place, where they were spending an afternoon socializing. My dad needed me to drive him home...so I obliged. That drive changed my life.
I was stuck. Stuck feeling that the world was against me in some way, but I just couldn't figure out how to beat it. Living in Toronto, working a pretty chill job with fabulous people. Close proximity to my sister for the first time in 10 years. Involved in a boot camp that molded me into the best shape of my life. I was stuck, because I was missing something...balance. I craved it that whole year living in Toronto. I spent my two days off every week applying to jobs to get unstuck. It was ridiculous how many I applied to. Nothing.
During that drive with my dad, he could sense all of what I was feeling. Our relationship as father and daughter has never been full of words, but it has always been full of understanding. I feel that I am very similar to my dad, and we've never needed to say much to each other. We just....know. The day in 2010 when my mom and dad dropped me off at the airport when I left for England....all I wanted him to say was how proud he was of me for making such a bold move in my life. He never said it. Instead...he hugged me. I still remember that hug. In that hug, I knew exactly how proud he was of me. I felt his support and love, and knew that he understood why I was moving across the ocean. I love my dad, and I think that our relationship is really special - perhaps why I'm crying like a baby right now remembering that moment. It was that same feeling at my grandpa's funeral. The first and only time I've seen my dad cry. My sister and I had written some words down that we were sharing about our grandpa during the service. I looked over at him, saw his tears, and again knew exactly what he was saying to me. That he was proud of us and how courageous we was being. During that drive...he asked me a series of questions that changed my life,
"Do you still want to teach?"
"Yes."
"How can you make that happen?"
"By moving to Alberta."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Okay, what do you need to make that happen?"
"A back up plan, in the event that I fail."
We proceeded to discuss that plan, and by the time we reached our home, I had decided in my heart. I was moving to Alberta to pursue my goal of teaching. It was only a 5 minute drive home.
14 months after moving to Canmore, Alberta, I have my own classroom at a reserve school near Canmore. It is hard to see where you will go on your path through life. I am blessed and fortunate to have family and friends who support me, and are there when I need a supporting hand to keep me going.
Balance is my life.
