Jan 01 2009
A Short Good-bye to Westboro
I wrote this 2 months ago on Facebook before leaving Ottawa for Toronto, and got some positive comments. So I thought I would reproduce it here. For everyone’s information, I’m very happy with the move.
“Tonight is my last night living in Westboro - tomorrow I’m in Kanata, and the day after, Toronto, to begin a new and fantastic life with Tamara.
But leaving has made me think. I grew up in old Kanata (Beaverbrook) which was just a village when we moved in and I was just a baby. And I find that still to this day there are so many ghosts there. I don’t mean in the spiritual sense, but there is hardly a public place in that whole neighbourhood where I don’t have a memory of some kind. Most good, some bad, but it doesn’t matter because it is all a part of my life.
As I was out doing some last minute errands today on my last day, I realised that I have the same relationship with Westboro, the Ottawa neighbourhood I have lived in for many years. I could actually see, clearly in my minds eye, things, people and events that have happened to me over the years. Same thing - lots good, some bad, but it doesn’t matter. It led to to where I am today, or more importantly to where I am going.
I will miss Westboro, and the people I met here over the years.
Sorry if I seem sentimental. That, perhaps more than anything indicates it is time to move on. I’m really looking forward to living on the Danforth with Tamara and her family. It’s time to start making fresh ghosts.
Now, back to packing.