Writing the Self 1: Lending a Helping Hand

There I was staring outside the window during a math class mesmerized by the sight outside. About half of the students in our class showed up for school that day. It was the dead of winter, and a good dump of snow covered the town. Rural busses did not run, and most vehicles did not dare to take on the deeply filled snowy streets. Despite these cold, snow conditions, most of us town students trudged through the thick and dense snow to make it to class since it was to proceed as normal for those who can make it. 

All this snow particularly did not phase most of us. We were used to experiencing days like this because really what is Canada without this snow? These frosty, cold, white, snow filled winters are a huge part of our Canadian identity.

I could not help to notice that the cars that challenged the snow filled streets were getting stuck. My classmates and I discussed how most people, especially the elderly, would not be able to shovel their driveways let alone leave their houses. With our teachers permission, a few of us geared up in our bulky layered snow suits; toques on our heads, balaclavas covering most of our face, thick jackets zipped up, and ski pants tightly singed around the ankle of our heavy winter boots to prevent the cold wet snow from seeping to our skin. Waterproof, well-insulated gloves covered our hands keeping them dry and warm while we carried our shovels as we proceeded to track through the drifts of the knee-deep snow filled streets. 

We provided help to anyone who needed it in the vicinity. Generally, Canadians are often perceived as helpful, polite, and considerate people and this experience helped uphold just that. Vehicles were stuck in the middle of the town’s streets – wheels spinning, yet the vehicle itself is moving nowhere. Snow began flying and shooting every which direction from underneath the rotating tires. We took our shovels and removed the tough, dense snow that was packed around the tires. Digging the tip of our boots into the ground to have stability, we started to push the vehicle with all our might. The driver gave the vehicle gas to help exert enough momentum for it to obtain some traction in order to get moving once again. 

After helping the vehicles in sight, we continued our journey ploughing through all the snow. The cold, crisp, winter air was still able to be felt through all of the warm, cozy layers on our bodies. Despite the chilly weather, we could feel sweat building up on our bodies from walking through drifts of snow as deep as our thighs while the wind pushes directly against us. This cold-sweat continues to progress as our bodies are working hard shoveling the heavy, dense snow from residents driveways.

The cold, upsetting weather would have turned most people away, however, we live in Canada where this is a normal occurrence. You learn to live with the harsh cold weather and make the most of it. Not just anywhere will you have the chance to leave school to help your community out of goodwill. To us though, it was just another typical day as a Canadian student.