Calgary's Entrepreneurial Spirit Spans Three Generations
I expect that I am one of the luckiest women alive to have the pleasure of being born and growing up in Calgary under the influence of a pioneering spirit. My grand-mother, Ruby May Johnstone was one of the first women who owned and operated her own business on Morley Trail NW. She imported wigs, hired many beauty operators and was known as far-away as Toronto. Morley Trail was the connector to the beginning of my life's adventures, it took me to my new home, new school and introduced me to religion. The community I grew up in was safe, as a pre-school I walked the streets playing and thinking what life would hold for me when I grew up.
My Grandfather, Harold Reeves Johnstone was thrilled to witness so many 'firsts' with the introduction of indoor plumbing and the car. Surely, no other invention could make our lives better? Wisely, he knew that inventions change the way we live.
And with each new invention, both Calgary and I grew up. Our home was one of the first to have a garbage 'eater' in the sink, a dishwasher and even a garage door opener! But, that was nothing compared to the addition of the Husky Tower. The tallest tower around! It was revered and feared, when would it fall many wondered. In fact, I remember markers being assigned to tell you if you were in a safe zone.
Next, came the C-train, WOW roads got wider and more people came. The streets in the city connected the North to the South and I journeyed down them to discover who I was. Calgary was the city of opportunity, the city where you could live safe and believe that anything was possible. Calgary was fair although true Calgarians loved the fact we said Calgreeee! But, our hearts always welcomed the new comer.
The city grew and many more roads provided other travelers the capacity to hope for a better world. Someday, I hope that my little effort at extending welcome to new faces will engage others to become what God meant them to be! United, special and at liberty to explore, think and learn without fear or prejudice in the same frontier-pioneer spirit that was founded by people like my grandmother. From 93 to 50, we traveled the same road that is found in the heart of Calgary.
As a child of Calgary my hope is to encourage others to build. As an adult of Calgary my hope is to encourage others to connect and to live knowing that they can fulfill their dreams.
