Every time we get snow sticking around in North Vancouver I get so ornery that everywhere I go my friends and family hit me with their “yes dear” eyes before I can even open my mouth. That of course is great therapy. And I’m not admitting to arranging all my kid’s stuffed animals into an audience for my best #ManShoutsAtCloud moments, but there’s definitely been an uptake in grumbling to myself over the last week or so.
What totally kills me is the un-shoveled sidewalks. Which of course were once covered with easy-to-remove snow and are now deadly sheets of ice. And if you want to argue that snow removal should be in the city’s purview – with the requisite increase in property taxes to cover it – I have no issue with that. But as it sits now, folks are responsible for their own walks whether they do it themselves or pay someone to do it. And in theory, the city bylaw team has a responsibility to use the levers of power (fines) to enforce sidewalk clearing but either said fines are significantly too low or the bylaw enforcement team is too busy trying to keep people from parking in bus stops, because it’s sketchy as f*** this year.
I remember, quite fondly, the first time the Clairebarian was able to wield a snow shovel herself. That is, rather than in tandem with me. Up the sidewalk, she went clearing the fluffy snow, and then back down. With a huge smile, she declared “DONE!” And it was in that moment that, at least as far as my mind serves, that we had our first real discussion about community. “That’s great love, but you need to do a little bit more.”
She turned and looked at her work, and then down at her feet, and then up and me. “We don’t shovel the sidewalk just for us Claire. We need to make the path wide enough for everyone. Imagine someone in a wheelchair trying to get through here.” And with that, she went and sorted out the whole rest of the sidewalk because ‘community’ really isn’t a complicated concept.
I’m not on some high horse suggesting folks should donate all their possessions to charity and live on the street whilst volunteering their every waking hour to working in a soup kitchen. I’m not even saying that it’s not okay to be selfish and choose not to help sometimes. No martyrdom is required.
Baby steps. Just take whatever you do now and do a little bit more. You’re going for a hike because the woods are amazing and it’s great for your health? Carry a stick and clear some drains. You’re going for a ride because mountain biking is awesome AND the best thing for your mental health? Clear whatever deadfall you can lift, maybe even chuck a folding saw in your pack (or attach one to your frame) and go the extra mile.
And, I know I’m ranting at the choir here (and the three people who read this far are thinking “yes dear”) but I’m also holding myself to account. I’m not a believer in resolutions but this year my plan is to just do a little bit more than last year. Whether it’s grunt work carrying materials up trails, or putting time in supporting folks or causes that I think are important, or just waiting a moment to cross the street with someone who needs more than the standard time to make it across four lanes, or whatever.
And, because I can do basic math (I know, “congratulations”) I’m going to multiply my efforts by dragging other people (not just Claire) along with me. And that’s the real message maybe, doing a little bit more is easier, and a lot more fun, with friends. So yeah, you’ve been warned.