By Kerry Mealey Holmes
It was 1997. I was living in Calgary trying to make my dreams come true in broadcasting. After searching for what seemed like forever and after months of going from job to job I just happened to land an actual big-girl job in my field. This job however was in what I considered to be the middle of nowhere… Manitoba.
I mean, I had been to Winnipeg for a band trip… but never had I thought of moving there especially to a small town like Portage la Prairie.
“Well you have cousins there” my mom assured me as I explained my nervousness of moving to a place I had barely heard of. “Okay, Mom, but, like how will I know who these people even are?” I asked after She insisted I call her cousin, Bonnie. Bonnie just happened to have a daughter around my age. (a.k.a. Christine/Deets)
Great. I thought. This will be so weird. And as if I will be able to tell who these people are... they are total strangers.
The next evening, as I stood nervously in the hotel lobby where I was staying in walked 2 people and I instantly knew who they were. Both around 5’2 – average height for my mom and her sisters, same eyes, same gate; I nearly peed my pants. I couldn’t believe it. I would say the rest is history but the truth is we are still writing that history.
We are blessed with so many amazing people in our lives. The stories, the way we can solve world issues (not really) and how we are connected and still so incredibly different will all be unfolded. I’ve tucked Cousin Laura aka Tiner the Whiner in my pocket since she was born and have carried her in my heart since then too.
Cousins are meant to be shared. Cousins are the family that are like siblings. Cousins are the strangers we have yet to meet. Welcome, Cousin.
I'm really glad you made the decision to do it scared. Look at where we are now! The power of cousins.
I don't remember what was going on at that time specifically but I do remember feeling nervous and excited to meet someone new. I also thought, "why on earth is she moving here..." Super happy it all worked out and as a wiser, older lady I understand the nature of the universe and why you needed to come. It was meant to be. <3