Over the past couple weeks, I have found myself checking my Facebook account much more than usual so I don’t miss updates from the neighbourhood groups I belong to. Each day, multiple photos and videos are being posted in these groups of a very special visitor to the waters around Vancouver, BC.
A massive grey whale was first spotted mid-April swimming not far off shore of a popular beach in the West End of Vancouver’s downtown. Since then, there have been multiple sightings each day across the main beaches in Vancouver’s downtown and Kitsilano neighbourhoods. Along with sightings, there are also posts every few hours with someone inquiring where the whale may be that day for their best chance of spotting it. On all of these posts, the comments are filled with Vancouverites marveling at the luck we’ve had to have this visitor to our beaches and sharing their photos and videos if lucky enough to capture it. The city has truly come together to share in the excitement and childlike wonder you can’t help but experience when a massive animal feels so close.
Driving around on an unseasonably summer-like day for May, I found myself watching people gathering along the water, looking for big groups with no-doubt their phones out, as a key indication the mysterious whale may be nearby. While I didn’t have any luck, taking the time to notice how the city has come to life in the (very welcome) warm weather and knowing that one thread that tied everyone together along the water that day was a belief that today may be the day they see our gentle giant friend swim past, spouting from the ocean, was a nice reminder of the importance to slow down, be in the moment, and find shared experiences with friends and strangers. It’s too easy to get caught up in rushing and routine, when sometimes you just have to stop and look for whales.
In a city that is preparing to host the World Cup in just a few weeks, it’s clear we’ve found some early city pride that this whale chose to grace us with its presence. While I hope I’ll see the whale before it moves on for the season, the anticipation is sometimes the best part. So, I’ll keep my eyes peeled, but I’ll try to remember the power of simply allowing yourself to enjoy the little (and sometimes whale-sized) things even long after it’s moved on.
Kaila Joynes – Senior Consulting Manager
