Page 18 - Demo

PUBLISHER’S NOTE.
LET’S SWEAT
THE SMALL STUFF
I made a reservation at a local restaurant to enjoy an evening out with my sister-in-law, who came from Saskatchewan to take in a Ballet Edmonton performance. We wanted comfort food and we needed an early reservation so we wouldn’t miss the curtain.
The host greeted us warmly. The server came by and, as he started to tell us the specials, he had a momentary lapse of memory. He laughed at himself and told us he was a stay-at-home dad and had just started his shift.
“I need to get into the groove of talking to adults.”
He was charming.
As we enjoyed our meal and caught up on family news and chatted about her retirement and her home in a pretty, rural area, I could see the server at work. He chatted and poured, checked on his tables. He helped someone with their coat. He moved a centrepiece to make more room for a young couple holding hands across the table. As we left, he thanked us for coming.
Small things make a big difference.
In the capital region we need big ideas, transform- ational projects, large-scale commercial and industrial endeavours. We need transit and bike lanes and big long-term strategies to make it all happen.
We also need small business. Local restaurants. A strong arts community. Independent media.
You can make a positive difference. Buy a ticket to a performance. Go to a festival. Buy a gift for someone you love from a local retailer. Celebrate your birthday at a local restaurant. Meet a friend at a neighbourhood coffee shop. Let someone in line. Say thank you. Laugh at yourself.
The big stuff matters, but the small things make a real difference.
Trudy Callaghan
Publisher
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18 EDify. MARCH•APRIL.24