Great Skate #6 - Kew Gardens

Great Skate #6 took place on January 29, at the rink in Kew Gardens Park, coinciding with the Eat, Pray, Skate event hosted by Beach United Church.

Beach United is a big part of my life. It can be one of the goofiest things I do. It can also be one of the most profound. (Often at the same time.)


Eat, Pray, Skate

It's dark out, and cold. We're right next to the lake, so the sky is blacker than it is in other parts of the city.

The rink gleams through the trees. It's brightly lit by overhead lights. Ice candles have been placed around the edge of the rink, to lend an extra glow.

There are lots of people here. You feel like you know them all - even the ones whose names you can't recall, even the ones you haven't met.

Are you hungry? Have a homemade cookie - people brought them to share.

Thirsty? Help yourself to some hot chocolate. There's lots to go around.

Don't have skates? Try on one of the pairs on loan from a community centre.

If you're feeling wobbly or uncertain, don't worry. Someone will skate beside you to hold you up.

And if you need a rest, head over to the bench beside the rink. There's always room for one more.

On the surface, it's just a bunch of people skating. But look deeper. It's really a small example of a very big idea: what if the whole world could be like this?

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