The day I moved into my new home in Ottawa, my roommate had her home all ready for me to make it my home too. The first day at work, I was sung to in choir like fashion by my 7 "friend-leagues". It was nice to feel this welcoming attitude from both the home and work front, as I moved to this new city and job all with a broken ankle.
I'm grateful for the folks that have welcomed me with open arms since moving here to Ottawa. Yet, it still hasn't been easy. It's strange for me, normally buzzing with energy, going from work, to volunteering, to social event, to house meeting, to cooking a delicious meal, to go back and forth from work on the same short bus route, not having every night filled with commitments. But even without commitments, I've managed to go to a couple social outings, and have had some wonderful friends and family visit me!
I've been trying to take it slow. Move slowly, relax lots, stretch some, read books, cook simple meals, stopping on benches for breaks while walking. It's different then what I'm used to, but it's definitely what my body is in need of right now.
Might I mention the feeling of solidarity.
Being on crutches has opened my eyes more to life with a disability. Though this disability is temporary and very minor in comparison to others, it has been interesting to see what it feels like to have to call on people for help (all the time), to feel eyes on you all the time, faces frowning with pity, to just feel so slow compared to others that march past you in their rushed way. I can't claim to know what it is like to have a permanent disability, but I can at least claim to know a little bit what it feels like to be set apart as a minority - something I have not often felt before as a privileged, able bodied, white person. And the solidarity I've felt and experienced with folks with canes or in wheelchairs, as we board the lowered bus and sit in the front seats, and they send a knowing smile my way, expressing solidarity. Makes me feel understood, makes them feel understood, even if just a bit.
And now an ode to my bicycles.
Dear poppy. I miss your fast slick ways, your shiny red look, the way we become one when I clip into your pedals. I miss the feeling of power and speed that I have as I ride you across the city...
And Bernice. You are just such a hard core beast of a beautiful bicycle. I appreciate all the snowy rides we had this past winter, and I'm sorry for all the oil I just keep throwing on you, but it was better then the sting of salt right? I hope your breaks are okay after this hard winter...
I am looking forward to when I can finally explore this new city with you both...feel the wind in my hair (below my helmet of course) the freedom of coming and going when I please when I have you to depend on...I'll show you both the beautiful river paths of Ottawa Poppy and Bernice; soon, real soon!
Spring is finally feeling like it might be here in Ottawa. I'm still planning to garden a bunch this summer, the home that I've moved into has wonderful garden space. I have oodles of tomato plants on my windowsill, some eggplant, some spagetti squash! I've already planted some greens outside (they can withstand cooler temperatures) and just planted out some peas this evening (after an exhilirating paddle on the Rideau river - I went with my roommate, her partner, and another of their friends! I'm so glad I live with people - instant friends!) And, I bought fiddleheads today! A sure sign of new life in spring...
One big thing I've learned from this broken ankle, this move to a new city: although I really don't like to take things slow, and not do very much, it's okay to.
