Relationships

Originally I’m from Saskatoon Saskatchewan, but moved out to Maple Ridge B.C. during the summer at the age of seven. I spent my nearly my entire elementary school years in Maple Ridge as well as High School. I made many friends and know everything there is to know about Ridge. I have known what I wanted to do since grade eleven, and have so far followed my plan, to pursue a career in golf. When I was in grade twelve things got to become more serious and I registered for Golf Management at Camosun College on Vancouver Island and as I graduated I only had two months to move out.

            As August 27^th came around the corner it was time to move to the island. I was so nervous and sick to my stomach that I would just pace around with nothing to do. I would constantly be calling or texting all my friends just to keep myself busy. As I got more settled a few days later, school entered the picture. I was so excited and happy that I got to school 45 minutes early. I didn’t know a single person out here on the island, but now I know many. The relationships with my family and friends at home will never go away and are strong, but adding more friendships out here definitely is helpful and amazing. My mom would call me several times a day at the beginning, but now sometimes we go a day or two without talking because she knows I’m good to go. It’s not like I’m stuck out here and can’t go home, I can go home and visit my family and friends on a long weekend, which is good to have that security.

            Even though I came out to Vancouver Island knowing nobody, or anything about it, and left my family and friends, I’ve learned to enjoy my time out here as it is short and to make the best of it, and happy to say my connections with my family and friends back home could not be stronger.  

~Kaydon

Times: They Are A’ Changin

Relationships with various people in your life will constantly change. Think about it - there are probably people you hung out with elementary school that you  may not hang out with anymore. Or, neighbours that you don't ever see or talk to because you've moved. Maybe someone you liked and got along with in school, but don't anymore. There can be a ton of reasons for changes in relationships as we move through life.            

      I have recently seen a change in my life and it has had a bigger impact then I expected. My mom is now, for the first time experiencing empty nest in her life. (When all your kids move out and your life goes from revolving around them to you having to find new and other things to do with your time.) My sisters’ are both living in other parts of the province and my brother is in the process of working up in northern BC or Alberta. That leaves me as her only kid (Yes no matter how old you are, you are always a kid in their eyes.) We have all developed our own lives and are busy doing our own thing. Although technologies like texting, Skype and Facetime have made staying in touch easier, there is still no substitute for face to face contact and being in the same geographical location.

I am currently navigating how to balance spending more time with my mom with having my own life. Although this can sometimes be challenging with our schedules, we are finding ways to make it work. No matter how old you get, you are constantly going to have to manage your relationships with people. Most of the time you will do it without even thinking about it but sometimes it helps to be aware of how the important relationships are changing

~Nate