The Welcome Man

The Emily Carr exhibit at the AGO was a fascinating trip in the society and culture of the Native Canadians of British Columbia. The most interesting part of the culture that I still find to be a part of my life is the concept of the welcome man. This is a statue that was left on the edges of the body of water near the village to let others know they would be welcomed there.

I have my own welcome man in my life. He is also my time keeper and the one who allows me to see the face of God. Every day when I walk through the door he is there to meet me. Sometimes I don't even make it past the driveway before he's running out to shake me hand with a big smile on his face. On the days I go home, he watches me leave. He always asks me when I'm going to come back, almost as though he's worried that I won't and he likes having me around.

Everyone should have these people in their lives. The ones who let us know that we are loved and will be missed when we are gone. I don't think there are enough people like that in the world. When we do think these things about people, we don't talk about them. We keep the doors of our homes closed and locked most of the time and rarely choose to open them. There are a small number of people that we allow into our lives and welcome whole heartedly.

We should put out some more welcome men in our lives. The ones who let people know that they are allowed to come into our lives. We should be open to change and to love those around us. When we do, we are able to see how much we gain from. We gain friends and the love of those around us, so lets become welcome people.