I came from Turkey, where I lived in a middle-class family with two brothers and my mom and dad. In August 2007, my future husband came to our home with his parents. I only chatted with him for 30 minutes, and his parents asked, “What do you think?” I said, “Maybe.” I didn’t ask him what his occupation was or how far away his home was. I never wanted to leave my mom, but I decided he would be a good person for me to marry. My parents were shocked. Even I wondered how I got married in two days. I came to Calgary on January 30, 2009. It was a cold and snowy night. My home was a cold and old mobile home.

I didn’t have any English, so I used body language. My husband worked at the restaurant from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. I was afraid and alone, and I missed my mom. I didn’t know anything about Canada, and I didn’t really know my husband. How could I live in the cold where it was hard to walk on the slippery road? My mom always said, keep your head cool and your feet warm, so I bought heavy winter boots from Walmart. I wore them everywhere. My steps were heavy.

There was a house like a castle next door to us. One sunny day in May, I made Turkish tea and cheese bread, and I asked my husband if we could invite the castle neighbours over. He said, “We don’t have a table.”  I said, “Well, how about that fruit box?” The neighbours came over, and we had a good time. After that day, they always asked me what I needed. I didn’t ask for anything. But when I was pregnant, they brought me baby clothes that their grandkids had outgrown.

At that time, I cried every day. I had a lonely life. I missed my parents. I baked flatbread, and I ate it with dandelions. The taste was bitter, but dandelions are healthy. Dandelions were the only vegetables in my house since we were low income and, at that time, I didn’t know of the support services in Calgary. When I went into labour with my baby, the neighbours drove me to the hospital. I love those neighbours.

After a few years, we moved to our current house. I had a new neighbour, but I thought she might not like us. She never said hi. In 2012, my mom visited because I had another baby. She asked, “How is your neighbour?” I said, “I don’t know.” My mom was mad. She said, “Why not?  You should give them some food.” I said, “Mom, their culture is different.” She said, “No, it is not an excuse.” 

So my mom made sarma grape leaves, and I took them next door. My neighbour was surprised. She brought us baby gifts. One day a week she came to my house and gave me free English lessons. We became friends.

My boots performed well. But by 2016, I was wearing lighter, faster shoes. I volunteered at Buchanan School, where I baked fresh food for my daughter’s Grade 2 class. One day my daughter told me the school breakfast program needed help. I went to school early in the morning, and I served breakfast and cleaned the kitchen. Later on, the principal asked, “Would you like to work with us?” I was amazed. Now I work as a lunch supervisor at Rosemont School. I wear my light running shoes and take light steps. And I believe that unexpected kindness, such as I received and try to offer, can change the world.