Cottage Living with Dani
What’s in a Wave?
I am a proud Canadian and there are many reasons I love our great country. Our lakes, our mountains, and our animals, just to name a few. My favourite thing about our country is that I truly believe we are one of the friendliest nations in the world.
One of the things I love about living in Cottage Country is that I often get to see these small displays of friendliness. Last year, I spent an hour or so driving down a very remote cottage road. Cell phone reception was non-existent. Radio reception followed suit. I was a stranger to the area but I never felt alone. As I drove down the turns and the twists I passed many cottagers along the way. A young couple jogging waved to me with enthusiasm and I returned a head nod with a quick two finger half salute. The next turn I passed a lone cyclist, who nodded and waved and again I returned a quick wave and head nod. As I continued this long drive, every single person I passed, extended a friendly wave and smile.
Over the years, the ‘cottager’ wave is something that has become somewhat habitual. When on the dock or in the boat, we were trained as children to give a friendly wave when passing anyone on the lake, campground or cottage road. As a parent, I always tell my children to give a friendly wave back when someone passes by our dock and gives a ‘cottage wave’.
In the routine of everyday life, I don’t wave to every car that drives by our house, or every cyclist that passes, but when we leave the hustle and bustle of the daily grind and head North to the wilderness, there seems to be a transformation where a simple expression like a wave becomes the norm to every person we pass and there is a feeling of ease to greet each other.
It’s a wonderful tradition this ‘cottage wave’. A reminder that everyone appreciates a smile and a wave. Even though we may be strangers, that tiny gesture can mean so much to someone. It keeps us human, it keeps us grounded. It keeps us connected. It keeps us Canadian.
By Danielle McNelly, Nortech for Windows, Doors & Sunrooms
www.nortechwindows.com
