The Cross and the Cleaver:… in the COMMUNITY!
People matter, people making up the community matter, thus community matters; and community is about looking after each other. When we are hungry, when we are hurting, when we need each other. So let me tell you three stories of how I experienced the spirit of community in Kindersley; how I was made part of it on more levels than one.
Story#1. It was a scorcher of a day. Three of us were standing in front of the Post Office; Catholic, Anglican, and United. We debated the state of world affairs, and what’s on sale at co-op. We were about to call it a day, when a young woman from the Credit Union across the street appeared with a tray of three ice-cold cans of pop, and a comment: “we saw you sweating from across a street, and we thought you could use a cold drink.” We took the cans and continued fixing the world. Our thirst for was satisfied, and I thought to myself: “that is community!”
Story#2. I went to a bank to make a deposit. The manager, after printing the transaction, scratched with a pen the “balance available” on the card and said: “I know that’s the way you like it.” My thirst for being known beyond “next please” was satisfied, and I thought to myself: “that is community!”
Story#3. My wife and I went to Red Lion for dinner. We sat down. The waitress came with only one menu which she handed to Dawn, then she looked at me and asked: “the usual?” I was gobsmacked. True, since July 21st, 2016, except for four times, I have always asked for the same … the usual … When that was acknowledged, my thirst for being known, noticed, and remembered was satisfied, and I thought to myself: “that is community!”
What is my “Red Lion’s usual” you might ask. “Is he going there so often?” you might wonder. Well, it is: “Monte Cristo sandwich with fries and a pint, and don’t forget Sriracha please ” (pic. incl.) What can I say, about some aspects of life I am a creature of habit.
The Red Lion is one of those places where community happens; over the tables where food is shared, over the games on TV screens, over the pool tables, and the over menu conversations. I had my first Kindersley birthday meal at Red Lion (and a few more). There, I have seen people celebrating their upcoming wedding, and people sharing the grief over the upcoming funeral. I have seen office parties, participated in event planning meetings, and more.
This reflection is not about food recipe, it is about community ingredients … which is you and I. This time … it is about the Red Lion which is the pot where we all blend and interact, like in a delicious stew… forming community.
Yeah, I am pitching Red Lion because it is, to me, a “neighbourhood pub.” Because Marianne and Marcel are our neighbours, physically and morally. Because, flat out, we support our own and figure out how to do that well.
So, no recipe or cooking this time! This time you are invited to the Red Lion, to let Maryann, Marcel and the rest of the team feed you … with hospitality, with kindness, and with delicious food.
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