Sitting on a Story

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There are several places all around that shape us whether you notice or not. Some of these places aren't the flashiest or most extravagant but they develop to be very important depending on how much meaning we give them. Personally, for me this place is a little park bench nestled beside the Upper Lynn elementary playground. Although, I never attended this school, it’s near my house and has become a safe space for me to reflect and clear my mind. This bench is near the playground, and I can hear laughter from the children enjoying the swings. As the North Shore breeze flows by, I can smell the woodchips and cedar trees and I’m instantly calm.  

I love when a specific place is just another location that doesn’t come off as much but then develops into an essential thing to you. Dating back to 2018 when I moved to Upper Lynn, I was on a walk around the neighborhood and decided to check out the school. I was going through a stressful time and I stumbled across the bench and decided to stop and have a seat. All my thoughts were overwhelming but as soon as I took a seat I instantly relaxed. The bench itself was not the most comfortable but still brought me a lot of comfort. This fostered my growth in feeling comfortable with discomfort. My thoughts subsided, and my mind was clear. Seeing other kids enjoy the playground reminded me of my time when I was younger and how much I enjoyed playing games and making new friends. After having some time for myself to reflect I walked home feeling better than ever and felt as though I filtered all my current negativity and left it behind at the bench.  

Since the first time I visited the bench, I have found myself going back to it whenever I’m feeling stressed and I just need an outlet to channel everything. I may not be feeling terrible everyday bit it’s nice knowing that the bench will always be there for me through thick and thin. The bench itself has some age to it as you look down at its worn parts and scratched planks. It holds memories of every child that’s enjoyed the park around it and hears every bit of laughter, tears and quarrels. The bench has some texture to it as I run my fingers across it.  

In the present, as I take a seat, I have a great view of the brightly coloured playground that has a slide, monkey bars and all kinds of other parts. I get to observe everything that’s around when I’m sat on the bench. The beauty of observation never ceases to amaze and makes me more in tune with everything around. I watch as clouds roll by, and children come and go. They beg their parents for 5 more minutes to play but they must get home for dinner. I find myself reminiscing my own childhood, where I never thought twice about anything and I just got to enjoy life with no strings attached. I'll never forget the rush of excitement I would feel when I played grounders with my friends and felt like my days were fun after fun and never diminished. I’m realizing now that even though I never played on this park specifically I still had the same experiences just at another one. Playgrounds are universal and you learn important lessons when your young when it comes down to solving silly playground problems. 

Sitting here on this bench, covers me in feelings of appreciation and nostalgia. I have come so far from being a little kid that had no care in the world to being an adult going off to higher education. I’m grateful for every step of the way and all the ups and downs because they've all brought me to my current self.  

3. If I ever got a bench dedicated to myself, I would have it placed on top of Whistler Blackcomb because the mountain has a very important place in my heart. To be more specific I would have the bench placed at the top of the park because I spent so much time there. I've been skiing since I was about 1.5 years old and competed in freestyle skiing from 8 to about 14. The sport was my life, and I learnt so much from it. Not only did I learn discipline and goal setting, but I also built my communication skills with coaches and fellow athletes. I went on to competing in the Canadian Junior Nationals in 2022 and came home with gold in half-pipe. The bench itself would be made of local cedar and have some medal accents. As for the plaque, I would engrave “The only person you're up against is yourself so send it.” This holds a lot of meaning since I used to compete in freestyle skiing, I was always working hard to improve my skills but would sometimes get so caught up with winning that I would forget about the basics. Knowing that you’re there to get better and beat your personal best creates more determination. As for “send it”, it’s just a commonly used term to just go for it and try new tricks so it essentially just leaves you with a bit of motivation. The whole sentence just boosts confidence and is meant to resonate with any skier or snowboarder that takes time to read it.  

As I think about a bench that I would choose for myself, I realized that it’s important to have special places that tie us down to our true selves. Just thinking about having my own bench at Whistler Blackcomb is so much more than the significance it holds from skiing but rather it reflects my growth, perseverance, and commitment to facing challenges. If I did have a bench, I hope that skiers and snowboarders would take a moment to sit and feel stringer after reading the little plaque. My bench would not only represent my accomplishment but be a start to new goals and a start of a new chapter.  

4. If I were to dedicate a bench to someone else, I would dedicate it to my parents. They have been supporting me through everything I have done in my life. I am forever grateful for their unwavering support and dedication through challenging times. I would put the bench on one of the trails in Upper Lynn because my parents are always on walks and staying active with our dog. Their favourite thing is being outside, and they appreciate being in nature so the right place for the bench would be in the forest surrounded by giant trees.  

Knowing how much my parents have sacrificed and helped me, obviously a bench would never fully show how grateful I am for them. Throughout my whole life, they have set me up for success an pushed me in the right directions even when I was stubborn. A bench would be a nice spot to have long talks or sit with your thoughts while you reflect on how far you’ve come in life.  The bench would have a plaque that would read “For parents that never gave up and allowed me to reach for the stars. Forever grateful for everything.” This would show the love and admiration I have for my parents, and I think it would resonate with others.  I would hope that anyone that sat down on this bench would be filled with love and appreciation for any parental figures in their lives.  

5. On my most recent visit to my chosen bench, I started my walk on a calm, sunny afternoon. The playground was full of kids enjoying the nice weather and playing tag. I took time to sit on the bench for a while and just take everything in. Sitting on the bench made me miss being a kid and how life felt so simple then. But at the same time, I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I have my younger self to thank. I truly appreciate the time to sit and reflect on my life and the future I have ahead of me.  

This afternoon, as I watched kids come and go from the park full of laughter, I realized how important such a simple little bench was. It’s seen kids grow up and friends split up, as it sat in silence as it couldn't speak up. A bench is more than a place to rest, but rather a journal since it witnesses so much and keeps it to itself. Even though I never attended this school, I still feel deeply connected to this area. 

As I continued to sit on the bench, I was filled with memories of growing up and was instantly overwhelmed with emotions both negative and positive. I sat longer, and as time went by my mind started to slow until it was clear enough so I could enjoy my surroundings. The bench is a perfect place to find a deeper meaning and connect with yourself in a calm environment.  

 

6-7 The Piece of Wild Things by Wendell Berry 

When despair for the world grows in me 
and I wake in the night at the least sound 
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, 
I go and lie down where the wood drake 
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. 
I come into the peace of wild things 
who do not tax their lives with forethought 
of grief. I come into the presence of still water. 
And I feel above me the day-blind stars 
waiting with their light. For a time 
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. 

 

This poem resonates with me and the bench I have picked. Like this poem I go to my bench when I want to find peace and clarity. When I’m overwhelmed and stressed, I get out of my house like Wendell’s poem. This poem suits my bench as it’s surrounded by nature and is a safe place to let go of anxiety. Finding a place of comfort in such a simple spot is calming and creates time to observe and reflect.  

“The Piece of Wild Things”, connects with my personal philosophy of life, because I understand the importance of taking time for yourself and getting out into nature. Life is full of surprises and taking a pause is a great opportunity to reign yourself in and reflect. This philosophy reminds me to live a healthy, balanced life. 

8. Parks are important to communities and bring many together not just during school hours. They foster play, and personal development whether you're a kid making new friends or a parent connecting with other parents. Many memories are made in parks, and they hold so many endless stories. They are a gentle reminder about to appreciate everything that life offers both the big and small moments. 

Parks serve many purposes within communities. They provide a space to gather, play, create memories and connect with the environment around them. Not only do parks serve as a place for recreation but also a personal place to seek silent comfort. Places like parks enhance your well-being and reduce stress. Personally, I believe parks are great for communities and bring people to together.

9. Silent Comfort by Linda Madi 

Through the laughs, through the cries 

A bench waits for the last time 

It sees all but cannot say 

Who is right and who is wrong 

It has felt the rain and shine 

The silent presence has comforted many 

Friends and foes are here plenty 

 

This poem fits well with my chosen bench because it says a lot for something that can’t speak. The bench is there through thick and thin and is a place for anyone that needs a moment for themselves. It speaks volumes about the things that it witnesses but can’t have a say about it because it’s just a bench that offers its silent comfort. This connects to my personal philosophy of life, by appreciating the things around you and enjoying the smaller moment that might not necessarily seem signific. The bench may just seem like a bench but under the surface it's much more and allows people to connect with themselves and find a safe place. It provides a spot to enjoy the world around you and take time to just breathe. Life is ongoing but it’s important to pause occasionally and reflect.   

The more I read my poem, the more I appreciate it and see how well it connects with my bench. The bench will always be there no matter how many new kids enjoy it, or rainy days go by. It’s a consistency in your life that acts as a place that will always be there for you when needed. It offers a spot to sit but also a place to reconnect with parts of yourself that you thought you lost. Life goes by but the bench is always there if needed.  

A silent comfort is a perfect thing to think about in your daily life. I want to be the type of person that someone can cry on much life the bench. Just like the bench, I strive to be there for people throughout the roller-coaster of life. My poem is a reminder to be there for your loved ones through the fun times and the touch times. Offer your time and your presence because everyone deserves support. 

In conclusion, the bench at Upper Lynn elementary school is much more than just a place to sit. It’s a place to clear your mind and find comfort in solitude. It’s seen so much and been there for many. These still moments, vivid memories and poems reinforce the importance of silent moments and finding peace with yourself. As I continue through life, I will always stop to checkout a bench and read the plaque because you never know how much a few minutes may change your life.