update on my run for University-Rosedale Member of Parliament
Hello.
A lot has happened since Friday. I flew from Calgary to Toronto. I spent the weekend canvasing the riding of University-Rosedale. Man it was tough. Lots of no’s, lots of I don’t live here, lots of people looking the other way and continuing to walk.
But mostly people who were excited and willing to sign. Mostly people who were kind and patient and open to helping me out. It was cool.
But yeah it was hard.
It’s 3:28pm on Monday. The cut off to get signatures in was 2pm. We were submitting signatures until 1:55pm. We heard back; we made the cut off by 1 vote. Waiting to hear back from Ottawa for confirmation but the RO (Returning Officer) said there is a high likelihood we’ll be on the ballot.
Very cool. But won’t celebrate until I hear back.
So I am relieved but noticing a new forming terror in my chest. I partly counted myself out; I didn’t think I had a chance of getting on to be honest. I feel good and proud and tired and excited. But also nervous, fearful, dread, and worry.
I think I need to rewrite my mantra on my hand. I can. I will. I must. It gave me strength on my way to Toronto.
I am worried what this means for me. What this means for my family. What this means for my relationship with my cousins and my grandparents and my siblings. I didn’t ask them. I’m worried what this means for my friendships. I didn’t ask them. I am worried what this means for them. For all of them.
I hope it means good things but I know that it may not mean that. I think it might mean more scrutiny. More attention than they want; especially for someone who didn’t ask for it.
So I feel guilty. But also I feel like I did something for myself that I believe in. That I wanted for myself. Something that aligns with my values. I feel both of these things. Conflicting.
I am grateful to my friend who offered to be the official agent, and to let me stay at his place. I hope that elections Canada lets me stay here as we have a good set up.
I am grateful for my friends who came out on Saturday to help me collect signatures. I’m grateful to the guy and developing friendship who responded to my Kijiji ad I made to help with signatures. I’m grateful for my family. I am grateful for my friends. I am grateful for everyone that signed. I am grateful for everyone who stopped and listened, even and especially, when they didn’t want to.
So yeah. I’m scared and nervous and sometimes feel like puking. But I am also excited and hopeful and looking forward to what’s to come.
Bless up. And bless out.
I’ll keep you posted as things develop.