50 years ago today I arrived in Sedgewick to begin my teaching career thinking that I’d probably stay for a year or two. Half a century later, I’m still here!
I’ll never forget that day. That morning, I boarded a Greyhound bus heading for a little town of less than 1000 people. I’d accepted the job over the phone and couldn’t even visualize a town that small. My high school in Vancouver had had more students than that! The bus stopped in numerous little towns on it’s way across the prairie. Some looked promising and others, with boarded up buildings, looked downright dismal. What would Sedgewick be like and what would I do when I got there? Most of my household goods had been shipped out in advance and I knew that they were waiting for me in a furnished apartment across the street from the school, but I had no idea where that was or how I’d get there with more luggage than I could carry on my own. That was, of course, before suitcases had wheels. When the bus finally pulled into Sedgewick I was the only passenger who stood up to get off, but there was a man waiting at the stop. I remember feeling sorry for him because I thought his wife must have missed the bus. Imagine my surprise when I disembarked and he greeted me by name! He was the school principal. Not only did he know where my apartment was, but he also knew who the landlord was and where he lived! After stopping to pick up the key, he dropped me at my apartment and told me he’d be back to pick me up in an hour because his wife was making dinner for us! That was my introduction to small town living.
But what in the world kept me here for 50 years? A man, of course! Eleven days after I stepped off that bus, I met him at the first staff meeting of the school year and thirteen months later we were married!
2025 has been full of 50 year milestones. 50 years have passed since I graduated from university. It’s been 50 years since I moved to Sedgewick, 50 years since I met my husband, and 50 years since I started my teaching career, but there’s still one more 50 year milestone to come. In October it will be 50 years since I made the life-changing decision to follow Christ.
It’s been a half century of ups and downs, joys and sorrows. I’ve raised a family and welcomed 8 grandchildren. While I envy those who have their families close, we knew that there was nothing to hold our children here, so we gave them wings and watched them fly. We fly away from time to time too, but even after 50 years, Sedgewick still seems like a good place to come home to!
Then and now…
Spring has finally come to the prairie! All of a sudden, the days are gloriously warm and sunny. Earlier this week, the time finally came to do my seasonal closet switch; to put away my winter wardrobe and bring out my spring/summer clothes.
After a week during which I published a couple of fairly heavy posts about the fallout from Covid-19, let’s finish off with some fashion fluff! During this time when most of us are spending more time at home than usual, what are you wearing on your feet?
After having our ceilings stripped and new stipple applied, then painting the living room, this week has been one of major house cleaning. If you had seen me in my painting duds or wearing old jeans and t-shirt while I applied furniture polish to practically every wood surface in the house, you would not have taken me for a fashion blogger. In fact, I’m quite sure I looked more like a fashion failure!
What do you wear when you’re home alone or when only family is there to see? Have you ever been embarrassed by your appearance when someone came to the door unexpectedly?
Following Augustine 