An anniversary to cherish
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/02/2021 (830 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Feb. 3 was an anniversary of sorts. It’s now five years that I’ve been associated with The Times, published by Canstar Community News. Once a month without fail, my byline has appeared in this community paper, which covers the local news of West Kildonan, the Maples, Garden City, the North End and Tyndall Park.
I had lost my husband to dementia six months before I was hired and this correspondent was not in a good mental place. Having to pull myself together in order to meet deadlines proved beneficial. Travelling to interview people, listening to the stories and life challenges overcome by others, and the friendships made along the way, have been inspiring.
I feel that I’m not alone anymore and I’ve a reason to get up in the morning.
People are depending on me to write their stories and be informed — and perhaps be entertained. It gives me much pleasure to share the many anecdotes I collect as I travel around the city’s North End.
In many ways Winnipeg is a small town. There is a feeling of community that’s unique. Many that I’ve approached have made me feel welcome and often quizzed me. We are interested in each other and are compassionate for the most part. That’s why we’ve been successful in keeping the COVID–19 curve from skyrocketing again.
Why would you ever want to live somewhere else? As a Winnipegger, I am part of a huge, friendly family. Yes, things have changed slightly or a lot, depending on your understanding of the present crisis. We self-distance and wear face masks and seriously avoid each other. We don’t want to go back to total isolation in our homes. Fresh air never tasted so good, in spite of the cold.
The word on the street is that this disease will hang around a lot longer than we anticipated. Some even say “years,” even with the vaccine. Can you imagine how long it will take to protect the entire planet? Unless that goal is achieved, we cannot rest.
This virus is passed around too easily. We’ve seen how quickly the disease can be shared and the fatalities are mind-boggling. We have good reason to demand protection.
At least the kids have returned to school. If they are as hardy as the scientists believe, we will all be thankful. The disruption in learning has affected teachers, students and parents alike. This one semblance of the ‘new normal’ is welcome.
As much as I want to commemorate my milestone anniversary, I’ll hold off.
For now, all of us will look ahead and pray for better news — as well as an abundance of vaccines. Imagine a future when this pandemic will be over. Then we’ll all celebrate — big time.
Freda Glow is a community correspondent for the North End.
Freda Glow
North End community correspondent
Freda Glow is a community correspondent for the North End.