Everyone takes things for granted. It’s tough not to. We go through life, doing the same things everyday and forget about all the wonder that surrounds us, even in the most mundane activities. This past weekend I was really shown how I have been taking things for granted for nearly 4 decades.

I was born in Winnipeg. I grew up not far from Winnipeg. I went to university in Winnipeg. While I did leave for about 8 years, I now live in Winnipeg. And whenever I leave Winnipeg, I always find people from here. As a matter of fact, I often find people who have lived somewhere else and come back here.

That’s crazy given the fact that winters in Winnipeg are about as cold as you can get living in a capital city. But it’s a dry cold. That’s what people say to get them though it. It also helps that it is sunny most of the winter.

This weekend, I attend Doors Open Winnipeg and took advantage of it to see some areas and buildings of the city by foot that I have only ever seen by car, if at all. Through the two days that we spent in downtown Winnipeg, I also learn a great deal of history that I was never taught in school and never saw on television. Thank goodness that there are people out there that have a passion for different parts of the city’s history and are willing to share their knowledge and memories with interested visitors.

I didn’t know it, but over the years Winnipeg has seen many firsts, number #1s, fastest, longest, etc. etc. They have been such an important part of the history of Manitoba, Canada, North America and even the world and have left their mark in many ways.

If you want to experience a good bit of history, make a date to visit somewhere in the city that you have never been before. If you are a visitor, be sure to check out the City of Winnipeg for visitor information. I suggest visiting the Exchange District to start.

I have been taking the city for granted for nearly 40 years (aahhhhh!), but I think I will do what I can to take as much in as possible this summer.