It’s funny, I don’t remember ever feeling different than other kids I went to school with, but in reality as the military “brat” I was in most ways, an oddity.  I didn’t usually go to schools on the base where dad was stationed, so I truly was one of a kind most of the time. 

I remember when we moved to Montreal, we were living in an apartment on the second floor of a duplex, the landlady lived downstairs.  She wasn’t the kindest of souls to be honest.  I remember a lot of yelling and a whole lot of glares coming my way.  I was four years old and an only child, quite the combination really!  I was really good at keeping myself entertained, reading, colouring, playing outside.  From time to time though, she just didn’t like me or even the neighborhood kids playing near the building so the looks would start and then mum would get the talking to.  We moved from Germany where I was born and spent my first adorable years of life.  The move seemed like no big deal really until I realized they didn’t speak German or English most places in Montreal.  End of the world feelings when I went to daycare or “la garderie”, as it was called, for the first time and realized all they spoke was French!  How in the heck was I going to survive it all.  I, in all my cuteness, had no way to communicate with all these strangers.  I remember standing in the little cafeteria during nap time, screwing up my courage just desperate for a snack, what was my first word in French you might be wondering, well I tell you, it was driven by my desire to eat!  I asked in my most powerful four year old little voice, BISCUIT?  That cookie was perhaps the best cookie I ever had, I mean I had crossed the barren desert and overcame the mountain in search of sustenance.  Nothing could stop me now.   

What really sticks in my mind now though is the impact that Early Childhood Educators have on the children in their care.  I went to that garderie for several years and I still remember Marcelle, who worked there.  I can picture her wild curly hair, her beautiful personality and ability to let us all be who we were, even at the tender age of four.  She wore these incredible home made bohemian type skirts and even made me a couple as I longed to feel that freedom and of course I wanted to look just like her.  Marcelle helped us all explore art, music, reading, outside play time and just about everything else our little heart desired.  She taught me French but most importantly she hugged me when I needed it most.  What an incredible gift that was for me at a time when I knew nothing and no one in a great big world that was scary and strange.  She even gave me my first brush with fame!  A newspaper article on daycare in Montreal featured a picture of Marcelle and her “kids” me included, what a rush!  

So many of life’s firsts happened to me in the years we lived in Montreal.  I learned and I lived and I thrived.  Being a military kid has so many advantages and of course some challenges.  I read somewhere that we say goodbye to more significant people by the age of 18 than most people do their entire lives.  We get very good at making friends, keeping ourselves busy or entertained and at saying goodbye, till we meet again.  Of course that means that we say goodbye a lot, to people we hope we’ll see again one day although back then it wasn’t as likely or as easy to connect as it is now.  For some, moving around that much means keeping to yourself a bit more than most other kids out of self preservation, but I will admit all in all I don’t regret that life we lived.  Without it I wouldn’t have all the stories I have to tell and those stories and experiences have enriched my life beyond measure.  Can’t wait to share those with you next.

#2022AdventureIsCalling