The Craftiest Workshop

I found out recently that someone from my hometown had passed away. In that moment it brought back a flood of memories that I had of him.

That is how it is growing up in a small town and staying there until you leave for University. When you grow up in a family with six children, each member of the family creates connections through friendships, sports, band, church and school. All of those connections create a less strong (but still present) connection to every member of the family. These strong and weaker connections create a web of memories in my mind.

People knock small town living but no where else will you get to feel the feeling of community that exists only from spending years in a small town.

Tim was my brother Greg’s hockey coach for many years and the father of Greg’s childhood best friend. He was a member of our church community and would regularly collect the offering at mass. He and his wife owned a convenience/grocery/movie store which he worked at all the time and two of my brothers had part time jobs there. He had a quiet presence, always seemed calm and had a welcoming smile. He was also a dedicated Saskatchewan Roughrider fan.

We lived in St. Albert, AB for two years, 2004-2006. There were military appreciation days hosted by the Edmonton Eskimos. In 2005, for some reason, there were loads of free or exceptionally cheap ( I can’t recall which it was)) tickets available and Chris was able to get a bunch for a game between the Eskimos and the Riders.

I reached out to my brother Greg just a few days before the game and he decided to bring some of his family and a few of his Rider fan friends. They spent a night with us and we all went to the game together along with my sister’s family that lived in Sherwood Park. One of the die hard fans that Greg brought with him was Tim. I probably hadn’t seen him for ten years at that point and I don’t recall having seen him since but it was easy to visit and have a conversation. There was no hesitation hosting them for the night; it is what you do when you come from the same town.

I guess I will always say that I am from Kamsack, SK even though I have lived in 11 different communities. The connections we make in childhood stay with us a long long time especially if you live in a small town. Rest in peace, Tim.