WAVING

Although Trish will be writing 99% of this blog, she has asked me to write this first entry, in the form of an introduction.

In Sointula, we wave at strangers.  I say "we" in the humblest of ways, since we have only been part of "we" for a very short time.  But I digress.  In Sointula, when driving in or around town, we wave.  At other drivers, cyclists, walkers, people by the side of the road or sitting in their front yards ... anybody and everybody.

We wave at strangers because ... well, because everybody here (almost) does it.  We wave because it often puts a smile on one or both of the faces involved.  We wave because sometimes we pass close on the narrow roads and we are grateful for each other's courtesy.  We wave because we recognize a face ... a new friend, a neighbour, a fellow keeper of this marvellous tradition.  We wave because as new-comers, we are saying thanks for the welcome.  We wave because we want to welcome others to this special place.  We wave because it just plain feels good.

Maybe the day will come when I wave out of habit.  I suppose many of my 'waving partners' have done it so many times that they hardly think about it.  For now, at least, I wave because I am still in awe of this amazing place.  This place of harmony.  This place we have decided to call home.

Jim Bowen