It has been 10 years since I graduated high school in Annaheim.
It has been eight years since I worked at the Reid-Thompson Public Library and Prairie Perk Coffeehouse.
But now, I am finally back in Humboldt.
Just coming out of the journalism program at King’s College in Halifax, I am excited to become your new editor. It is exciting to be back home working at the same paper I read growing up. You see the paper from a new angle after getting a position like this.
As a kid, I always enjoyed behind-the-scene views. I volunteered all my life, from Annaheim church masses, bazaars and sports days, to a dance competition and book readings in Humboldt to different groups in Saskatoon and Halifax. Watching and learning how everything is done has always awed me. Now I am as behind the scenes as I can get.
Driving into town from my mom’s house in Drake, I thought about all that I’ve done in Humboldt.
This is the town where I learned how to drive. I played sports in every gym and ball diamond in the area. Many family and friends have gotten married in St. Augustus Church. I’ve danced the night away at the sportsplex out in Muenster.
This is the area that I grew up. However, I found myself while I traveled across the country.
Growing up in the area had its challenges, especially being the youngest child in a family of five.
I was always someone’s granddaughter, daughter, sister, niece or cousin. I do not think anyone knew my actual name until I was 13.
Even in Saskatoon, you do meet more people who would not know you from a hole in the ground but you also see the same people who introduce you someone’s sister.
Leaving for the other side of the country, you were relieved of this burden. You were just you in a place where every face is unrecognizable. You no longer ride the bus everyday running into someone from class or work.
It was refreshing to have a blank slate with everyone you meet. No one knew about the rock collection you had at five or the time you fell off the referee stand reffing junior boys volleyball.You were just who you were at that moment.
Even growing up in such a close-knit small town, I got bit by the travel bug at an early age. As of right now, I’ve seen every province in Canada and lived in five of them.
I found a little part of myself in every one of those provinces but I will always think fondly of home and it will always be some place special to me.
I could not have gotten any more home than this and I am very happy for that.
