Despite some appropriate criticism of the dog bylaw, I thought the National Post article was a perfect example of how little those not engaged and involved in our community actually understand what defines Nelson and makes us such a unique and incredible place to live.
Yes, many visit from “away” and think our shops are quaint, drink our organic coffee like a drought is approaching and write glowing reviews of their adventures in our powdery mountains, but to truly “get it” you need to live here.
You need to wake up to all four seasons of weather and learn to embrace the emotional and creative ebbs and flows that come with each. You need to get to know the beautifully diverse collection of people in your neighbourhood and recognize that the light in their eyes truly resembles your own. You need to learn that at one time or another we have all been from somewhere else and were drawn to this town for reasons that have eventually defined us.
There is a beauty and a magic here that is revealed over time and that is much deeper than the initial surface impression. It is going to take much more than an article written by a major newspaper based out of the very major city that many of us arrived here fleeing from to shake that, and all it really serves for me is to remind me why I live here and not there.
Sarah James
Nelson