The Family *roll

Alright people, I’m about to get all circle-of-life on your asses. Check it:

A few weeks ago, I found myself feeling particularly relaxed and perhaps even a touch giddy. I surveyed the obvious reasons — Christmas was on its way; I was a couple weeks into my five week break between terms; the new Eleanor had arrived on the scene, generally making life pleasant and not sleep-deprived. All reasons to be relaxed and giddy, right? But that wasn’t it. And then, one day while walking to school, it hit me: I felt like I was home. I don’t just mean that Northfield was beginning to feel like home, although that is certainly true. Rather, I felt like I was back home in Kingston, Ontario, which is most odd given that everything here is new and we have no family close by. Nonetheless, that was the feeling. I think winter brought it on. I left home when I was 16 to go to boarding school and, since then, I have not lived in a small(ish) town during the winter. I forgot how lovely it can be. The pace and feel of the place during winter just reminds me of what life was like growing up in Kingston. I don’t know how else to put it.

But what made me particularly happy, I think, was the realization that this will be the world Eleanor grows up in. Yesterday, we headed to the local rink to skate. For whatever stupid reason, I imagined the rink would be somewhat substantial given all the interest in hockey around here. But it isn’t: it’s one of those arenas that looks like an oversized tin barn. Small stands, small dressing rooms, a little concession stand. In other words, exactly like the arena I spent a good chunk of my childhood in. It was strange entering that place — new, but so very familiar — as a father. Walking into the dressing room to put on our skates reminded me of my father lacing up my skates (never, ever fast enough for an impatient 8 year-old) and watching me play from the stands. Ellie’s not there…yet (oh yes, she will play hockey). But she had a taste of things to come: after some discussion and the granting of a veto to Emily to call a halt to the whole thing, I laced up my skates, strapped Ellie to my chest and listened to her coos as I circled the rink.