No, the title is not the start of a country song... rather, it is reflective of how two people with very diverse backgrounds learn about urban versus rural.
The conversation between my husband and I started out as "I have no idea of how you grew up, and I bet you have no idea of how I grew up." The conversation was not about how we were parented, but about how our play and way of life was so opposite.
Rural roots for me meant chores that used a pitchfork, rubber boots, a slop pail, and an axe for firewood. Picking wild berries, gardening, haying, branding, and calving time were all part of my summer. I cannot forget the famous rock picking in the fields! Chores for my urban husband meant cleaning out the bird cage and tidying his room.
Play in rural Alberta was the best in the world... we had the forest, rivers, creeks, fields, hay bales, animals, and so much to explore and experience. At times, we were able to go to a near-by community to attend a 4-H Club or a Girl Guides group.
Play in Montreal was very different... it was going to the arcade, catching the subway, driving to the country, exploring the streets, playing in the park, and engaging in organized activities with friends at the recreation centre.
While my husband has never lived rural, I have lived about half my life in a rural community. At times my husband catches glimpses of rural life as I share stories, we explore Alberta, and I tell him it is his turn to use the pitch fork to turn the garden soil or dig the potatoes. When we are out hiking I wonder if he thinks I am strange when I become excited about strawberry stained hands. The taste of domestic strawberries is nothing compared to that of wild strawberries... just very time consuming to pick!
When it comes to the end of the day, I find that rural and urban people can share some enticing stories about their experiences. What needs to happen is a shared understanding that both rural and urban have much to benefit, contribute, and learn from one another's ways.
I believe we need both rural and urban on the planet to make our world a better place. We just need to get busy recognizing that and then taking action to preserve our rural roots.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
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