Walking with a friend - balm for the soul.

Tom and Eric at Mission Creek Park.  We walk every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday without fail.

I am thankful for my friend Tom, who was a teacher with me at Garibaldi Secondary in Maple Ridge for many years.  We share numerous common interests, including photography, sports, cruising, computers, cooking, and our time as teachers.  We walk for an hour three times a week and enjoy the time together and being surrounded by nature.  Best of all, we enjoy talking about our common interests and the people we know.

There is no substitute for spending time with someone you share history with and can connect easily with.  I have never been a very good conversationalist, but my time on our walks passes quickly as we chat about a cornucopia of subjects.  We have gotten to know each other better as well, sharing about our families and the things that matter to us.  We have a respect for each other forged over our shared experiences and knowledge.  

It has been great reconnecting with Tom since I moved to Kelowna about 5 years ago.  There is nothing like a shared history and common interests to bring people together.  We don't see each other outside of our regular walks; we have very different lives and have no common friends locally.  None of that matters, though.  We gain a better understanding of each other and ourselves with every step and have someone we trust to share our thoughts and goals with.  All in the beauty of a natural place.  

Thanks, Tom, for being a good friend.  I look forward to and enjoy our walks together.

Eric Svendsen


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