Sitting on a Story

1) I chose a bench that sits just outside Hendry Hall Theatre. Which is located on the  corner of 11th street and Hendry street. This bench is both close to home, as well as school. I chose this bench because it is dedicated to my opa, William "Bill" Kessel. He is my father's father. This bench was dedicated to him in June of 2002, due to his hard work and efforts to keep the grounds looking presentable to the public. He spent many hours volunteering at Hendry Hall Theatre all year round. The public and people apart of Hendry Hall greatly appreciated his work, and made the decision to show they're appreciation by making a bench for him. When he passed away in February of 2006, the bench will help people remember him and all his dedication to his community. It is a simple wooden bench with black side arms, legs and back. There is a design of what seems to be birds, flowers, leave, and what appear to be baby angels. The oak wood has faded throughout the years, and the black painted cast iron is also fading, with spots of grey. There are the random spots of bird droppings, but other then that it seems to be well kept. Bolted onto the top right corner of this bench there is engraved plaque recites 

"In Recognition of the 

Services to N.V.C.P. By

 Bill Kessel

 June 2002".

2) While sitting on this bench, directly across from me is the building, Hendry Hall Theatre. There are buses and trees surrounding three sides of the bench. Which i might add, do not look as nice as when my grandfather too care of the grounds here. There is also an open parking lot in front of me, that at the moment is empty. The day is full of clouds with the sun peaking through is spots. It is a nice calm day, and I see cars drive by occasionally. It feels good to be sitting here. I am very relaxed and just reflecting on the present and past. I enjoy the crisp air, and being able to just think. Being here reminds me of when my opa brought me to the many performances that were put on for young children and their families. We would come once or twice a year, I always enjoyed coming to the plays because they would include the audience. I like the familiar feeling, looking back at when things were simple and everything just seemed so big and mysterious. I also feel kind of odd just sitting here on the bench and wondering what other people are thinking of my actions as they walk or drive by. To be completely honest, because this bench is somewhat hidden, not exactly a normal place to sit just enjoy nature or the day. I want and hope that when people will look and see this bench, and either remember my grandpa for who his or what kind of effect he had on the community. Or that if someone sees they sit and think about what kind of person he was, or ask who he is. 


3) If someone were to dedicate a bench to me at this time or soon, I would like it to be some where near one of my homes. There is my literal home or house, that I have lived in my whole life. Then there is my “rez house” that is on the Capilano Indian Reservation. The house I currently live in has a beautiful view of the city and the bridge, surrounded by houses and various trees. My whole life I have lived in this location, full of memories, meeting new friends, making mistakes, etc. It would be nice to have a memory there of me. I think it would be a much nice spot, but I think I would much rather have it at the reservation. This is where I feel I truly grew up. Me and my grandpa, my mothers’ father, were best friends and this is where he lived. This is where most of my childhood memories belong. I met my life long friends at my old preschool on this reservation. I think that is where I would like to have my bench, somewhere on our old preschool grounds. Even after graduating this is where my friends and I would hang out and just enjoy our day. Now that the preschool isn’t located there anymore I think it would be a nice memory to have my bench there for all my friends. Another nice spot on the reservation, I think would be along the river. A late cousin of my has a bench there, and it is a beautiful spot. There are always many people along there, fishing, picnicking, doing whatever they like. All in all, it doesn’t matter the location of my bench, it’s would make me happy that friends or family would even think to donate a bench to me. That’s what truly makes me happy, not where it is. I’m not exactly sure what I would want to the inscription to say though. I think I’d like to have a quote though, or something meaningful to my friends and family. An example of a quote I’d like would be, “live as if your were to die tomorrow, and learn as if you were to live forever.“ This would suit well, considering if something to happen to me or even die, the reason this bench is being dedicated. You never know how long your live, or how soon you’ll die, so you might as well make the most of what you have, and also try to learn as much as you can.


4) If I were to dedicate a bench, I would have to be to a friend or family member that has been a huge influence on my life. From the top of my head I do not know who I would dedicate a bench to. Until I know that, the location is indefinite. It would have to definitely be somewhere that was important to both my friend and I, somewhere where we shared a special moment, our goofiest moments, or just somewhere that we to blow off steam. It doesn’t have to be the most beautiful place, though that may be a bonus. I think the place the takes the most thought and somewhere I will feel the happiest about my decision. With my closest friends, I have many different inside jokes with each and everyone of them. For the inscription, it would have to do with an inside joke, or a quote that we both loved and/or lived by. If I couldn’t think of anything appropriate to say, I would go with a simple quote, such as “live, love, laugh” or the same comment as the one I used above. If I were dedicating the bench because of a death, I do not want to put, “you will be missed,” I don’t want to remind myself and other of their death, but of their life or how they lived. Focus on the good, and not on the sad, because I know that’s what they would want. After all laughter is the best medicine. I want to dedicate a bench that makes people laugh or at least smile when they walk by it, or sit upon it. 


5) The morning before school one day, I was discussing my bench project with my sister, Sydney, and my mother and trying to decide where and what bench I would like to do my project on. When all of sudden my sister reminded me about the bench that has been dedicated to my opa, for eight and half years at Hendry Hall Theatre. I thought this was the perfect bench to do, because it is both personal and interesting. Especially since the anniversary of his death is coming up, so I thought it felt appropriate.
Conveniently, the bench is halfway between school and my house. So, I packed my things from my locker, and began my walk to Hendry Hall Theatre. From Sutherland, it is about a 15 minute walk. To get there I have to walk to the end of 18th and turn down William, as I get to the end of William I must turn right, onto 14th then soon change the direction left to start walking down Hendry. During this time, it is mostly cloudy with the sun shining through in spots. This whole I hope that it will not rain as I sit on my chosen bench. As I enter the parking lot at Hendry Hall Theatre, I find it empty and clear. The bench is located to the left, to front side of the theatre. As I approached it, I saw the engraved inscription saying “In Recognition of the Services to N.V.C.P. by Bill Kessel June 2002”. At first this surprised me because I thought the bench had been put there after he had past away in February of 2006. This made me think he really was a great influence in his community. Usually when someone dedicates a bench it is after dead, for some reason. As if they need an object to remember the person and remind them of what they’ve done, but since this was made for him years in advance, it really goes to show that he was appreciated, and they wanted to show him they’re appreciation, not just the community living around him. 


6) I chose the poem “Grandpa told me so” by Kenny Chesney because as I sit on the bench it makes me look back at my opa, and this poem does the same thing. My opa was very influential in my life and I listened to what he said. I did so, first of all because he is my grandfather and also he always seem to be doing the right things at the right times. He was not only this kind of influence on me, but on everyone else around him. 



If you don't get in the water you're never gonna learn to swim
He said a snake is just as scared of you as you are of him
He could tell by the moon when the fish would bite
Seems there was nothing that he didn't know
And as a kid I believed 'cause Grandpa told me so


He talked Daddy into letting me have my first car
I thought I was really something 'til Becky Thompson broke my heart
That first taste of love nearly did me in
Getting over her slow
And I knew someday I would 'cause Grandpa told me so

He said life is made for you to live
The best love is the love that you give
There'll be times when you wanna hold on but you gotta let go
And I live by those words 'cause Grandpa told me so

I promissed him I wouldn't cry when it was his time to leave
That's the only promise I made him I couldn't keep
He smiled from his bed and said we'll meet again
Somewhere down the road
And I believe 'cause Grandpa told me so

He said life is made for you to live
The best love is the love that you give
There'll be times when you wanna hold on but you gotta let go
And I live by those words 'cause Grandpa told me so

He said life is made for you to live
The best love is the love that you give
There'll be times when you wanna hold on but you gotta let go
And I live by those words 'cause Grandpa told me so

Yeah and I still believe
Grandpa told me so
Grandpa told me so
I still believe
Grandpa told me so
I still believe



7) I don’t just have one philosophy of life, I don’t believe there can just be one. This poem talks about facing your fear, or that you shouldn’t even be afraid of those fears. The third stanza explains a lot of what I believe. “Life is made for you to live”, this is probably my favourite line. You never know how your life is going to turn out, or when it will ever end. So why not live the way you want, take control of it. To the aboriginal people elders are a large portion of their culture. There is the saying “respect your elders”, which I follow. This poem continues to saying “’cause Grandpa told me so”, which follows the respect for elders idea. “He smiled form his bed and said we’ll meet again,” I also believe that life doesn’t end after you die. I don’t know if there is a heaven, hell, but I believe there is a form of after life. In my personal opinion life isn’t about who has the best job, the most wild experiences, or just best anything. I think you live through your mind. Everything you do, effects your thoughts and ideas. A experience could effect people in different ways, I believe that you’re living if you are seeing the world in your own way. All that happens in your past influences your future. Some people say let go, and forget the past. I think this poem is helping say learn to let go but don’t forget it. Let go of the loss, but gain from the positive experiences. This is a way I like to live. 


8) There are various and different purposes to a park, it all depends on a person. For young children it’s freedom and a way for their minds to go where ever they like. Meaning they can pretend they’re on a boat, in a castle or on some epic adventure. To parents its somewhere where they can let there kids get rid off all the energy. To anyone it could be a meeting place, an escape, somewhere to read, run, play sports, walk their dogs. Not only are their different purposes to a park, but there are also different types of parks. A park varies from a playground, to a large grass area or even tourist attractions, such as Stanley Park, in Vancouver BC, or Central Park, in NYC. The purpose of a park is to entertain make families happy, and enjoy what ever experiences that they may attend the park for. Parks are not always fun and games though. They lead to injuries, if not careful. There are many tears that are dropped at a park. Whether it be a child to whole climb to high or too scared to go down the slide, or another child bugging or stealing your swing. Parks provide life experiences from being a toddler till your old age.

9)

 The Bench in the Park
Sits in its Place
Standing superior with dignity and grace
Everyone sits on the bench, for a little rest
The bench is old but full of life
Full of stories, sometimes the best
As the bench in the park gets a certain glow one can dectect
nothing could be as grand as the Bench in your respect.

G rade school is over!
R each for the stars
A lways believe in yourself
D ream on
U nderstanding new things
A chieve your goals
T ake your memories everywhere you go
O penly embrace everything life throws at you
N ever forget your time here