Editor:
I arrived cautiously, some 20 years ago, from the U.S.A. Bought into a condo as a place to live, and discovered a family of friends. Now, most everywhere in the Sechelt area, I am embraced by friends: at the Senior Centre, the Art Centre, the fish and meat markets, Claytons, BC Liquor, and on Snicket seawall and Kinnikinnick walks. I feel at home most anywhere on the Sunshine Coast.
And, in my decades on this Coast, I have assisted with a close friend’s departure from this lifetime, and celebrated the birth of a close friend’s first grandchild; written a book with a former chief of the Sechelt Nation, taught flute and played flute with our local orchestra in its time, and with a coast woodwind quintet.
And now, I am preparing to leave – to say goodbye: to my condo family, and my Sechelt life full of friends, and the Sunshine Coast, and B.C., and Canada. Why?
Because, I also have another family: my husband, our son and his sweet wife from Montreal, and my almost 105-year-old dad, and many friends, and a house – all in Arcata, Calif.
So, I am packing to leave: to leave my Westwind condo family, my many Sunshine Coast friends and involvements, and my Canada home.
And I hope to take not just the packings that fit into the car, but also the 20+ years of joys and music makings, and gratitudes, and memories and embracings of Canada – but, most of all, I hope to share the precious GRACE Canada has gifted me!
Nina Haedrich, Sechelt
