Pieces by Kris Ward

Last week I experienced what felt like the 4 seasons, in the span of a day. The morning started off with torrential rain, then as the rain tapered off it was cool; in no time the temperature increased and it was warm and sunny, so much that I ended up with a sunburn. As the afternoon progressed the temperature dropped severely that goose bumps, trembling and teeth chattering occurred. I joked that all we needed was some hail or snow to cap off the day, and the next morning near Kingston they did have it. Layers are the key with our unpredictable weather, and no matter how prepared I think I am, it seems I always have some element missing.

With frequent travel, this is more problematic that I have decided to create an all season travel bag that I will keep in my car. We’re Canadian so better be prepared under any circumstances. Of course trying to be stylish while battling the elements and that travellers’ fatigue can be daunting but unpredictable weather is what we grew up with and so we cope, some days better than others. One thing for sure, the weather especially inclement weather, takes us back. We remember snow storms, blazing heat, and the people and events surrounding them.

I returned to Cornwall again yesterday for work purposes and when I hit the 401 to make my way back to my hometown, it is always bittersweet. I was planning my column this week and was thinking about how people influence your life, both in good ways and bad ways, they take a piece of you and you leave a little piece of yourself with them. As I was driving, a song came on the radio and it reflected the essence of what I was feeling. “Pieces” by Gary Allan is bang on. Pieces of my heart, pieces of my soul…everything I took for them made me who I am. As I approach my home town there is a huge part of me left behind, I remember family times, times spent with friends, former clients, former projects, events, times of joy, times of sorrow and everything in between. Through all the struggles, I became stronger, smarter, a little cautious and brave. I discovered talents I didn’t know I had, I grew as a person and a member of the community, I was connected on so many levels and I think that is why it resonates with me.

So Cornwall will always have a big piece of my heart and slowly I am forging connections in Kingston and beyond. Even when things do not go as planned and disappointments ensue, all of those hurdles, missed opportunities, all the positives and negatives make you who you are. Embrace them and the beautiful collage it creates.