April 29, 2010

Relatives Everywhere

A few years ago there was a family gathering on my Mom's side of the family. There were only about 550 people there who looked slightly like me. Apparently there are 1000 of us with only 2 or 3 souls left in the Ukraine. Canada was the place to be!

Last night at yoga class, I was talking to a woman who asked my last name. She then asked if I had relatives in the Two Hills area. We talked about the church and graveyard and she said that she had relatives buried there, and I told her that I did too. She said her grandfather's last name was Ursuliak and told me her grandmother's last name. This is how small the world is: her grandmother's last name was the same as my grandmother's. I took all the details of her heritage and she took mine.

When I got home I asked my mother about these people. She and my Dad knew the family and surprised me by saying that the yoga student's great grandfather and my great grandfather were brothers from my Dad's side!!! My Mom went to the same school as her Mom and was a few grades ahead. Mom knew all of my yoga student's aunts, uncles and great aunts and uncles! My relatives are everywhere. What a lovely surprise to reconnect.

Edmonton's Weather

The weather in Edmonton is changeable, one moment sun, next moment, windy, next moment rain, next moment snow. Then once in awhile there is a rainbow. I will chase after a rainbow because they are too beautiful to miss. I am waiting for one to appear soon - after the cool weather.

It is a good thing that I didn't put away my winter clothes or feel the need to change from winter tires to summer tires yet (on my van that is). Spring in Edmonton is a challenge. One day I am sitting on my balcony in shorts and drinking lemonade; the next day I am freezing, wrapping a blankie around me, have a warm cup of tea and craving soup. Ah, but I like Edmonton. I like the weather. The weather is changeable, like life. Really, we never know what is going to happen next.