This month has been difficult, but hard events have a way of forcing you to slow life down and make accommodations. My grandfather passed away at the age of 95, so I made the unexpected visit across the northern border to the small town of Ayr, Ontario. I spent many childhood summers in Ayr and still have A LOT of family members there.
It was a sad event to be back for - which highlighted how long it has been since I have been to Ayr. It’s also awkward being there, in a place where I will forever be sixteen. When times get awkward and sad, falling back on routines really helps ground me, so I made sure to bring my running shoes.
The town is small but things have changed, so I didn’t really know my way around. I decided to circle the park as many times as I could. I remember being at this park as a child and sitting in its pavilion as a teen. It was a bit surreal, you can’t outrun memories.
My pace was not the best, but technically it should have been in kilometers so we will call it a wash. For those who knew my grandfather, he wouldn’t have wanted me to go that fast or far or probably at all. It was nice being in Ayr and seeing this town in my thirties that I left in my teens. It’s hard to tell who has changed more, me or it.
I share Bekki's feelings about Ayr and running around the park. It helped my grieving time with my family of origin to have Bekki and her sister there for the funeral. We even paddled on the Nith river. It's a big family but functioned fairly well with the loss of our Dad. Elaine (Bekki's Mom)