My Nephew Used To Shovei

 If you live in Manitoba, you've been talking about shovelling a lot over the last two days.  I know there is a reason why Cynthia Reyes chose to shovel her driveway after her night shift.  I will get to that reason at the end.  

My nephew was about 8 years old when he got his first "job" at the farm of one of his father's friends.  I think at the time he would go out and spend the day and got a few dollars for doing his thing.  My nephew was pretty excited about entering employment so he called his grandma and grandpa to tell them about it.  

"I have a job!!"

His grandfather said, "that is so exciting.  I am so proud of you.  What are you going to be doing."

"Shovelling, grandpa."  

"Oh, what will you be shovelling?"

"Shit, grandpa, I will be shovelling shit."

My father was convinced that with that experience, my nephew would grow up to me a politician.  He hasn't yet but never say never.  

My father was the person on our block who had a snowblower, so he used to blow out everyone's driveway and most of the street.  He really enjoyed it.  He had a great snowsuit and was always looking for exercise.  It didn't take him that much time and he prided himself as being a good neighbour.  He wasn't even deterred when he lost a finger tip once while blowing snow.  (Wet snow is the worst because it sticks to the blades.) My mother was watching out the window (probably not planning to make him breakfast) and ran out, grabbed the tip of the finger, and took him to Emergency.  They couldn't re-attach the tip but they stitched up my dad's finger.  Afterwards, the doctor told my dad he was writing a prescription for valium.  My dad said he didn't think it was necessary.  The doctor replied that it wasn't for him, it was for his wife.  

Once I became a teenager, my dad continued to snowblow the street with the exception of our house.  I had discovered that I really enjoyed shovelling snow.  It was great exercise and you had tangible results from your labour.  It wasn't taxing mentally so you did have time to work out a lot of things in your head.  Also, it  sort of felt like a good Canadian activity.  

There has been only one time when the snow almost defeated me.  It was about a year after I separated from my husband.  It had snowed all weekend and come Monday morning, it didn't look I would be able to get my garage door open let alone get my van out of the driveway.  I was about to cry when my ex showed up with his bobcat.  In a few short minutes, my driveway was pristine. It was probably the only nice moment we shared since we separated and probably the last kindness he ever extended to me.  Regardless, I can't describe how grateful I was in that moment.  

Essentially, if you are from the prairies, you have atleast one, if not more, story about shovelling snow.  

Many of us really love to shovel snow.  Many of us really love our spouses who shovel snow.  Many of us really love to pay someone to shovel snow.  Many of us really love our neighbours who do it for us.  Of course, many of us really despise it.  

Couples, families, and housemates all have their own unique way of sorting this out.  

So, there is a reason why Cynthia Reyes was shovelling snow this weekend.  And that reason is none of our business.