The Good, the Bad, and the Grizzly

For myself personally, the meeting of one's boyfriends parents can be a slightly terrifying experience.  For the most part I would categorize myself as a fairly normal person, but for that brief moment in time you start to realize all of your quirks and short comings.  You try and tell yourself to refrain from making slightly inappropriate comments, or drinking your wine too fast at the dinner table and that even though you are extemely nervous the worst possible thing you can do in that moment is excuse yourself to the bathroom to throw up (Matt...please do not share with your family how many times nerves has made me barf!)

But let me tell you, the one thing I did not expect to experience while spending a lovely weekend in Golden, BC with two very sweet, loving parents was the reckless abandonment for bear chasing!

Before visiting the beautiful town of Golden, B.C., I was not informed of the very important fact that certain wildlife like to roam the backyards of the homes.  Not that any real warning is necessary, however no one expects to be sitting enjoying their morning coffee and breakfast only to see a furry, stumpy and surprisingly fast creature roam through the backyard.  Even more surprisingly was that in this actual event in time I was the only one smart enough to remain in the house and observe through the window! I will be the first to admit that my outdoor skills are certainly not anything impressive, however this is what I do know:

When encountering a bear:

RULE 1: AVOID ENCOUNTERING A BEAR!!!!
RULE 2: NEVER APPROACH A BEAR TO GET A BETTER LOOK!!!
RULE 3: FIND SAFETY...AKA REMAIN INSIDE/SAFE AREA
RULE 4: DO NOT LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED....AKA MATT & AL
RULE 5: STAY CALM AND DO NOT CHASE

I am so thankful to have been welcomed into a home....but I am not sure I will  be participating in any bear chasing anytime soon!  For everyone's safety, perhaps we should blow up these rules and place them on the back door, so in the event that anyone has that sudden urge to put their life in front of an unpredictable animal they can all be reminded of just how silly of a choice that really is! 

To a wonderful weekend, to wonderful people, to making memories....these are the simple joys life is made of.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Good things come to those who love....

Image
I believe, or at least I hope that I believe that everyone will fall in love at least once. Others may experience it more, some less. I have no idea where I land on this continuum . I imagine somewhere between never wanting to date again, and wanting it all. Bit of a wide range, but you can never be too hasty! However, there have been a few experiences in which I never wish to relive, in fact even better, I have started to compose a list of things I would rather do than have to be left standing alone at the gas station of love using the self-service pump, aka go through that again! Get a hundred thousand paper cuts on my face Contemplate if everything I though was right is wrong (black is white, up is down, short is long...) Slam my fingers in a door (again and again and again! But only 3 times, any more than that is risking permanent damage) Shove an ice pick under my fingernails Wear black leather in the hottest weather Hit a tree, these fender benders aren't really killing me Ju...
Read more

The things I am thankful for

Image
With Thanksgiving coming and going this year I was blessed with the opportunity to sit in a room of 20+ people and share and listen to all the things in which the people whom I care the most about are thankful for in their lives. While this list can be entertaining with 9 wonderful nieces and nephews who spout off answers like "chocolate cake", "Auntie Rachel", "Dad" and "Lego", it is also filled with heartfelt answers of family, health, love and appreciation and of course with 4 girls in one family a few tears. I spent this week thinking about the simple things in life I was thankful for.... A brother who who always takes the time to listen Big sisters being patient with little sisters Cab drivers who know when to talk and when to be quiet PVR - so I never have to worry about missing all those girly shows Good friends who always make the bad days seem not so hard and the good days feel like heaven A mom who worries about you night and day but wo...
Read more

I've Learned That

Image
In a moment of self reflection the other day, I realized that while 25 was still quite a young age and I have plenty more years ahead of me to fill up with life's lessons, I was surprised at how easily 4 pages of scribble were produced when thought about some of the things I have learned in the first quarter of my life and even happier that for each lesson a wonderful memory went along with it. Be where you are; otherwise you miss your life....so I've learned that: You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk It pays to believe in miracles and tell the truth When you wave at people in the country they always stop what they are doing and wave back You can tell a lot about a man by the way he hands 3 things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangles Christmas tree lights You can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life It's a lot easier to react then to think I can't visit a bookstore without buying something When the light turns green,...
Read more