The most important place I've ever been
In the summer of 1998, the sun shone over Winnipeg’s farmlands. A strawberry field lay flat, sprinkled with pickers of all ages. A fenced area worked as a makeshift petting zoo – a distraction for small children. As avid animal lovers, my sister and I plucked a few berries before rushing toward the livestock. Though the small goats were amusing, my main focus was the tiny kittens. Only a few weeks old, the felines would purr, cradled like babies in the arms of human kids. Old enough to read, I became excited over the “free kittens” sign. A little grey kitten with white patches on his chest and stomach caught my eye. He was the quietest and cuddliest of them all, but I couldn’t find him when my father surprisingly agreed to my request. While finally settling for a black and white kitten, soon to be named Oreo, I spotted the grey kitten and made the switch. Though I didn’t know it at the time, my beloved Smokey was sick. He would have died without the medical care my family provided him after giving him a home. Instead of being a forgettable loss to the farm, he spent years growing up with me. That was the first time I saved Smokey’s life. I’m glad I visited that Winnipeg strawberry farm because it was the most important place I’ve ever been in my life.
Love Letter
Dear Anthony,
I was around seven when my parents and your mom brought us to Discovery Zone. I remember the blue slushee and the miniature zipline, the pit of sponge pieces and the tubes echoing the yells of small children. I remember the Men in Black laser game room we were too young to enter. We couldn’t wait to grow up. Though you didn’t know it, the day I met you was the day I developed my first crush.
My parents had to force me to put on my boots and get into the van to go home. I didn’t want to leave. I made such a fuss that I ended up vomiting bright blue slushee all over my stark white boots, staining
them for good.
I can’t really remember what you looked like, but I remember how I felt. The indoor playground always made me happy, but I felt even more excitement at the sight of you. I followed you around like a puppy. I went through the same tubes and ran down the same halls. I begged for the same blue-raspberry slushee. I pictured us getting married and spending our lives together. It may have been a little dramatic and presumptuous for a second grader, but I did have quite the imagination.
Little did I know the first day we met would also be the last. Your mom called my mom the night it happened. I was on my way to Girl Guides. I had to play games and pretend nothing was wrong, but that wasn’t hard; I didn’t really understand it.
I saw your face on the cover of all of the papers the next day. “Winnipeg boy falls through ice, dies.”
When I was finally old enough to realize what had happened, it was too late. You left before we could even test the waters.
Little did I know the first day we met would also be the last. Your mom called my mom the night it happened. I was on my way to Girl Guides. I had to play games and pretend nothing was wrong, but that wasn’t hard; I didn’t really understand it.
I saw your face on the cover of all of the papers the next day. “Winnipeg boy falls through ice, dies.”
When I was finally old enough to realize what had happened, it was too late. You left before we could even test the waters.
