I鈥檝e spent the last two weeks getting acquainted with my new hometown.
Its been interesting, to say the least. I spend my days chasing down stories, which has been great as a learning opportunity to get accustomed to the layout of the city. In my evenings off work, I鈥檓 much more of a homebody, I like to relax and spend time by myself.
It鈥檚 been somewhat lonely; however, as I鈥檝e yet to really have time to meet people to spend my free time with, so weekends are usually spent completing various chores and returning to my apartment to spend the rest of the day.
I knew when I first accepted this job that there would be struggles. I knew I would have a lot to learn about the city and the typical things you have to learn when starting a new job, but I never thought abut the struggle of spending time alone.
This weekend was different though, as I had family in town.
My mom and stepfather made the nine-hour trek on the Friday to come spend the weekend with me, and although it was a short visit, it was still greatly appreciated.
The folks arrived in town around 5 p.m. Friday and were quick to request a tour of the city (As though I actually know my way around).
I showed them around to the best of my ability, and I have to admit I was a little nervous. I鈥檝e enjoyed my time so far in Estevan, and I really do think the city is quite pretty, but I feared that my mother, as loving as she is, might not like my new apartment, or the city that I now call home.
I was relieved to find that she loved the city; in fact she spent the majority of the weekend pointing out homes that she could see herself living in and commenting on how lovely the city was and how happy she was that it was a nice town for me to call home.
After showing them around the city Friday night, we spent the evening as a family, watching movies and chatting about everything that we had been going on in our lives.
I woke up Saturday morning to a pleasant surprise. My mother had taken it upon herself, as mothers often do, to wake up early and spend her morning 鈥渕om cleaning鈥� my apartment. It鈥檚 small things like those that remind you no one loves you in this world the way a mother does, and it鈥檚 small acts of love like that that make me eternally grateful for the mother and father I鈥檝e been blessed with.
The rest of Saturday was spent exploring the area in and around Estevan. I had heard there was a small beach nearby at Boundary Dam and wanted to see it for myself. We spent the better part of an hour walking around the park, dipping our toes in the water and getting slightly lost on Saskatchewan back roads.
In the afternoon we went on a grocery run, something that was sorely needed, as my diet of frozen waffles and Pizza Pops wasn鈥檛 up to snuff for my folks. We spent the rest of that night, once again, relaxing on the couch and watching movies while my mom made her famous sweet and sour meatballs, something that in only a few short weeks I鈥檝e been dying to have. No cooking will ever be as good as moms cooking; I think that goes for all of us.
Sunday was a sombre morning. With a nine-hour drive ahead of them my mom and step-dad wanted to get on the road fairly early. We made a quick shopping trip in the morning for things I was missing around the house and then they got on the road back to Alberta.
It was bittersweet having time with my family, especially when the time was so short, but I couldn鈥檛 be happier that I got to see them.
I realize, as I get older, that time spent with your family, even as short as a weekend, is the most important time in your life. My parents have been there for me through every stage of my life, no matter how difficult I鈥檝e been, and they鈥檝e always been there with unconditional love.
I only hope that someday I鈥檓 able to repay them, somehow, for everything they鈥檝e done for me throughout my life and the love they鈥檝e given me.
Thank you mom and dad, I love you both.
