User Story

By Shannon Lee Ladouceur

I noticed the big fat industrious bumblebee as I was planting away on my spring garden. I couldn’t help but smile as I thought to myself how happy I was to be here living in Edmonton and finally getting a chance to plant. As I mulched, watered, seeded and misted I sang happily to myself. I realized the bumblebee as steadily flitting from planted flower to tree blossoms and hovering about doing what it did best, and so full of purpose and cheer. Then I thought, Edmonton is much like that fat industrious bumblebee and we, the citizens are much like the flowers making up the colourful garden of Albertan life from one season to the next. The wonderful works yielded by a city that is bursting with exuberance and vitality has got to be something to appreciate. There is the Muttart Conservatory, the winding bike trails and even the skyscrapers downtown in which to feast our senses upon – not to mention the river valley and trees, oh so many trees.

The big fat industrious bumblebee itself is Edmonton as a whole - as hardworking and cheerful with a buzz and purpose much like this city I have grown to love so much.

The gardens are the people touched by the essence of the pollinating bee that causes it to grow and become beautiful and bountiful like a flowering basket.

And then there are the ladybugs and spiders coming out to see the sun. Hibernation time will come and we look forward to doing it all over again next year.

Even the weather dreary or cold does not stop the fierce spirit that carries on from season to season, diligently working and happy just the same.

Winter gardens, the Christmas trees and the lights of the city shining year round. This is truly a colourful place to be. Even our teams are colourful and feisty. The Eskimos in their green and gold and the Oilers’ blue and orange – all the colourful liveliness that makes it all worthwhile. The cheer and the roar like thunder filling our stadiums and arenas year round can be heard – sweet sounds of community spirit.

There is a buzz in the air around here. Yes, Edmonton is my favourite bee.