I have been in Fredericton since September 2010, so just two months short of two years. Much to my surprise, being someone who has moved a lot and who is kind of good at it, it has taken a long time to find my people, my place here. It was a trial and error process: I love to garden, so joined a community garden my first summer. I hooked up with my old hockey team. I tried to make friends in church basements with other mothers. I initiated contact with old professors, went out for coffee with some, didn't connect with others. I talked to my neighbours. It has been a struggle to connect with and stay connected with many of these people.
But I think I might have found my place here. Tonight I participated in a discussion about transition towns, and how Fredericton can move forward keeping in mind the reality of peak oil, and our current unsustainable lifestyles. In the room were friends from my book club, people I've met through the community gardens, and through my volunteering. There were people I've seen at protests against shale gas, and others I met when my husband campaigned for city council. There was also my best writer friend who I met within weeks of moving, bless her soul. And as a result of my participation I will now lead others as we move to have more edible plants on municipal land. I have people, I have place, I have purpose.
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