headwaters

I wasn't sure what to say. Earlier on I had smiled and nodded, thinking it was an exaggeration to make a point. But when it was presented with, "Can you keep a secret?" a faint, but distinguishable feeling of guilt rose up in me. "I'm going to leave him," she continued. My cousin, going on 38, was preparing to escape the situation she had lived in for 18 years. It had reached the point where none of their 3 children, from 9 to 16 years, would speak to their father, or be comfortable in his presence. Her mind, and her body, deserved a healthier environment. And domestic abuse immediately became personal.

She had made attempts to find him help, and to work it out, but his addiction was an impassable barrier. Her boss knows, and she has friends helping her find a new home, she recently acquired a job in the mall below my campus, and she still has a speck of hope in her eye. Boss appeared, I stole a hug, and waved goodbye as she hurried off to start her shift. Never has, 'we should meet for coffee,' affected me so.

****

The next morning I woke with the sun.. a pleasant surprise from the forecasted rain/clouds. I eventually rolled out of bed, showered, prepared my bag, and ran down to the street. Soon enough, the sound of an approaching engine revealed my friends car, and I hopped into the passenger seat. We drove into the rising sun, visors down to protect our sight. Snow coated the mountains on the North Shore - our final destination. We stopped by 29th Ave Station and picked up 2 other classmates before heading for the highway. The four of us, adventurers preparing for the upcoming field school, decided to test out our bodies in anticipation for the days of walking we'll experience in Italia.

Clouds scattered the sky as we crossed the 2nd Narrows into North Van. The towers of downtown, sparkling in the distance, were no match for the mountains drawing us north. We winded up through residential hills before reaching the final lot outside Lynn Headwaters. Now, I'm sure I must have visited Lynn Valley at some point in my youth, but if I have, I can't remember. Either way, I'm positive I wouldn't have hiked the same 9km as a youngster.

It started off pleasant. Sun venting through the treetops, highlighting the undergrowth below. As we ascended, ice chunks began falling from the canopy, waging warfare on our heads. We reached a lookout, providing a partial view of the metropolis below - the bridge crossed earlier, perfectly aligned with our current location. Back into the forest, the snow underfoot grew deeper as we continued, and our shoes doubled as skis down many of the slight dips and slopes. Dozens and dozens of photos later, we reached a clearing that lead towards the creek splitting the valley. The sun that had been playing hide and seek decided to hide once more, as snow began to fill the sky. 4ft snowbanks lined the path towards the water, beckoning childhood emotions within me. I resisted the urge to duck, or dig, or write in its walls, but the others weren't so restrained.

The snow grew heavier and turned to rain as we made our way back along the trail that followed the creek. No longer sheltered by the forest canopy, we found refuge in the occasional tree well. Fellow hikers or park goers grew in number as we neared the end of the trail. It was getting to be midday, and families were out to take advantage of their day off. We were glad to be near the end of the return trip, having enjoyed minimal human interruption on our journey. As soon as we reached the map at the trail head, and crossed the final bridge towards the lot, the clouds parted and the sun celebrated our arrival.

I made it home, bidding farewell to my classmates before taking advantage of the hot tub on the main floor, and retired to my bed to rest. It was no more than 3pm, but my Good Friday was nearing the border to being a great Friday.

****

Spotting rowers in the dark below the Cambie Bridge.
Enjoying fare dolce niente with the roommate.
Finding a new outfit to make Easter a little more special.
Singing my best in that new outfit to make Easter a little more memorable.
Leaving time between commitments to sit, ponder, and improve.
Appreciating, savoring, living, and loving every minute I get to spend in my room, apartment, neighbourhood, and city, before the approaching move back to Delta.
Zoning out in lectures to write, reflect, and share, and feel great about doing it. Sorry Zorana!