Most mornings, I walk or bike to work Downtown around 7:30 am. Most mornings, I’m relatively alone on my journey: I see some leaving-the-house activities in the neighbourhood I pass through, enjoy the silent swish of the speed skaters on the Common, and share an occasional nod of mutual approval with another biker. This morning was different, and wonderful. Whole pockets of people walked alongside me crossing the Commons, making new trails through freshly fallen snow. Our breaths made little clouds as the sun rose slowly over the Halifax Citadel. Being together, doing this walking-to-work thing made me feel like part of a connected community, and the beauty of the morning was lovely to share. I know the strike is a bitch for many, but it made my day. Please, if you worked to work during the strike and liked it, don’t go back to sitting on the bus – stay with me. —The One Who Smiled As We Walked
This article appears in Feb 2-8, 2012.