25 February 2020 – I am semi-lost, my usual condition when a-foot on the UBC campus, but not bothered by it. First, I’m only semi-lost; I always find my destination eventually. And, second, there are always discoveries along the way.

So here I am on Memorial Road, just off Main Mall and heading for East Mall. I snag on the bird houses — obviously ornamental, but nothing wrong with that.

It takes me a moment to notice the bench, and realize these are two elements of one installation.

Then I read the bench.

• At the top, a title: A Place of Refuge.
• At the bottom, five bird species, to tie the elements together: Wren, Woodpecker, Chickadee, Finch, Sparrow.
• In between: four texts.

Each author, three of them immigrants, reflecting on what it means to be here, in this country.

Talking about the meaning of an opened door …

about the identity of “home” …

about taking things for granted …

and about learning not to things for granted.

I glance again at the bird houses, this time with a different eye …

and go on my way.