I grew up my entire life in Victoria, that is, with exception of the last eight years. It has come to my attention that I currently live in the armpit of B.C., with a community of people who have no teeth. Around lunch time on Sunday at the parking lot of the Parkwood Plaza, as I was struggling with my two- and four-year-old sons with a buggy full of groceries, a very kind woman came to me and insisted that she take my cart back for me. She didn't want my quarter, she was just being helpful. I was stunned and thrilled with her kindness. I am constantly finding that there is a real sense of community and kindness in Prince George that I have never really seen before. On my way home that afternoon I got to thinking about when I was eight months pregnant, with my first son living in Richmond, the bus was full and not one person offered me a seat on the bus. This became a regular occurrence of selfishness that I encountered during my four years living in the Lower Mainland. All I can say is that if living in the armpit of B.C. means having a good community for my children to grow up in, then I'm far happier to raise my children in Prince George than in a self-righteous community that thinks they are the be all and end all of B.C. Though the armpit may be smelly from time to time it has a very important function and isn't really a bad place to be.
Terri Edwards
Buckhorn
