This is the place I call home

Though you are homeless
Though you're alone
I will be your home
Whatever's the matter
Whatever's been done
I will be your home
-Michael Card

While I was still in school, people would invariably ask questions like, "where's home for you?" The answer to that question was trivial until my parents moved. I was moving between school and Toronto every four months for about four years. And none of those moves were to live with my parents. I couldn't very well call my parents new house my home, nor a place where I'd stay four months. So I guess I was homeless.

But now I've lived in the same apartment for two years so I guess I can once more answer the question. In fact, I think I'm starting to grow attached to the arrangement.

But as with all things, this will have to change sooner or later. There has been quite a lot of distracting talk at work lately about shedding contractors soon. Which would be myself and quite a few of my peers. True, it's not as personal as being fired, but there's no severance package waiting for us at the end.

I was never a city boy. In fact, the only reason I moved to the city in the first place was because this was where the work was. Have things changed now? With more experience, will I be able to choose from any number of towns to find work? Would I want to leave Toronto now?

It seems like the list of reasons to leave is just as long as the list of reasons to stay. It's really hard to distinguish, to cut through to the God-centred reasons. Maybe God wants to work in my workplace through me, but that avenue may soon close. And as for church... There are some things that I love and some things about which I'm not so crazy.

But that decision is for another time. Today, I want to talk about some of the reasons I like where I am.

Family. Most of my family has arrayed itself across Southern Ontario, including my four nephews/niece. If I want to be a part of their lives, some regular presence is required. Also my mother has been living with Parkinson's for several years and sooner or later I may be needed close by.

Friends. I made some great friends in University, most of whom unfortunately went and did silly things like move to other provinces or got married or both. Still there are people around here I'd hate to leave. Though I would feel more at home if I had a few more Christian friends within throwing distance.

Girls. Haha, yeah right! They're nothing but trouble; if one ever looks at me twice that may be more of a reason to run for the hills. Unless she's coming from the hills, then I would have to run away from the hills. Seriously though, some of my closest friends are girls; I hate to admit it, but most guys aren't generally interested in talking about anything other than beer, finances, work, cars, and women. Sometimes, sometimes, every now and again... I like talking about other things. I guess I'm just a dreamer deep down.

Choir. What a great experience it's been! Finally I got involved in the church and actually started getting to know some people. For all the work and painful sounds that creep in, this has been one of my most rewarding experiences. Though I have to say, if Tom weren't there with me, it wouldn't be quite so fun anymore.

Living Truth Singers. This is another way I've become involved at the church. Gord is a fine director and he works us hard. As a result, we may have had one or two numbers over the past year that have come together alright! It's also provided an interesting opening to talk about my faith. From time to time, people come up to me and tell me that they saw me on TV while flipping through channels. They seem a lot more interested in what that's all about than they would have been if I'd brought up the topic.

TFG. Super, super! As I've already mentioned, I loved the experience.

Shows. It's so easy to catch the TSO or a Broadway show. Tomorrow night I'm going downtown to catch one with my brother. Funtimes!

My apartment has the best view in the city. OK, maybe not, but it's pretty good.


Not to mention a good vantage point for seeing some of the more interesting things going on around the city, like the day Italy won at the World Cup. Yes, that's a dump truck full of revellers. And an Italian banner spread across the street blocking traffic.

Also, I must mention my favourite sight from my balcony during the winter. I saw people out skating this afternoon and I was so excited that this was the first day of outdoor skating, I dropped everything and ran across the street for a skate. I haven't had so much space to skate since last February when I was just learning and didn't know what to do with all the space. For most of the time there were about four people there. I played some pick-up boot hockey for the first time in my life with the supervisors and realized that my skates couldn't cut butter in August. All in all, I sucked and it was fun. It would be so much better if I'd gone with friends, but most people don't share my enthusiasm.

There are hidden adventures waiting to happen even in the city. This summer, I explored some of the biking and hiking trails hidden right beneath our urban noses. I spent my day off on Thanksgiving walking around and enjoying the colours.