I can’t talk from the perspective of kids who were born in Saskatchewan and are growing up here now.
I can’t talk from the perspective of those who lived their long lives in the Prairies watching the skies, being used to landscapes and weather, and witnessing pump jacks growing all around the area like mushrooms after the rain. I can’t talk from the career perspective, as some people who had employment opportunities that made them move to this province.
The first time I came here was six years ago. And even though I’m not a life-long Saskatchewanian, my situation nowadays resonates with many immigrants who found their new homes in smaller and bigger communities all around the province. So I want to talk about my relationship with Saskatchewan.
It was late April when I first travelled through Manitoba and Saskatchewan heading to Estevan. And to tell you the truth, there was a pinch of disappointment. Prairies. Eyes are sliding and sliding and sliding and hit the horizon, and keep sliding up the evenly blue sky. The only trees were planted ones, and the entire landscape was organized into straight lines and even squares of quarter sections. No natural chaotic beauty, no fascinating creativity.
I stayed here not because of my love for the city or the province (which may happen to people on Bali, in London, New York, Paris, LA, even Saint-Petersburg). I just stayed. I had the time, and I got to know the province.
The night sky, this precious dome decorated with myriads of stars, is like a transparent multilayered gentle blanket covering the fields, houses, and you personally. Remember that feeling when mom tacks your blanky under the pillow, and you know you are safe and loved.
And shooting stars. Here in summer, you see them so often. They are like personal gifts, pushing you to dream and make stirring the night beauty into something totally magical.
Saskatchewan, the land of living skies. It didn’t take me long to understand how true it was. You don’t need to have the imagination to feel like you are somewhere in the parallel world when you are watching a routine Saskatchewan dawn. The colors and shapes are alive; they are dancing, curling and exploding in a matter of minutes, sometimes even seconds. Every so often these skies look like they are going to get you in trouble (and they actually do quite regularly). But even that is totally beautiful. And if you are lucky and catch a glimpse of northern lights, you’ll never forget that. Like the classical music being played with the help of light waves.
But there is much more than the skies here. The beauty of blooming crops and ripe wheat fields, when you almost can hear a gold whisper and song of the Prairies in a matter of a few years stole my heart. And now when I happen to miss out on this part of the summer here, I feel empty.
The endless sun in winter is another gift this province has for all inhabitants. Yes, it might be harsh and really cold, but have you ever tried Vancouver winters? When there is no sun, no matter what time of the year it is, it feels like the end. And Saskatchewan has no greed for this simple joy.
And people I met here … Hardworking and friendly – not a very common combination. These are people who take challenges as a new excitement. These people are easy going and usually in love with what they do (to be around somebody who’s is crazy about the job has always been one of the most inspiring experiences).
This province with somewhat of a bit simpler capital and the modern, culturally cocky and exciting biggest city partially resonated with my background, making me feel more comfortable. At the same time, the province has a lot of personal and fun details to turn each day here into an adventure (like world-known Mac the Moose and his battle, houses travelling down the road as something very usual and much more).
I got to know most of the above quite fast, but I still didn’t know how I felt about Saskatchewan until one day. We were in a bar in Toronto. It was the night after a big concert and a baseball game. Live music, people were dancing, talking and enjoying the time. And all of a sudden I found myself surrounded by a bunch of people who I didn’t know, proving those Toronto (that’s a guess) Ontarians who hardly knew where Saskatchewan was, how wonderful this province was. At that point, I knew it was love.
It happened a few years ago, and I still feel that there is a lot for me to learn and experience here. I haven’t been up north and haven’t visited many other places, but now I know that I only can love Sask. more, not less.
By the way, all this talking was sparked by the new province-wide Sask. Love Project, inviting people to share their feelings and participate in a writing contest. So if you have something to say, check out the details at www.estevanmercury.ca.
