Victoria Island

I was on Victoria Island a few years back. It's a beautiful walkers' paradise. Everywhere I walked, there were benches placed in scenic spots just calling to you to sit a spell and take in the glorious view. They were pretty comfortable -made of some recyclable materials, had back rests, arm rests, long enough to lie down, but not stretch out. Each bench had a dedication in the form of a little plaque in the top/center of the back rest. I wondered then how I could get a bench dedicated to me and if I'd be able to choose where that bench would be placed. Maybe high on the bluff, overlooking the ocean, so when someone sat down they could think of me dedicating this bench so they could sit down and watch the seals play in the ocean below.

There's probably a waiting list for bench dedications. I'm sure it's not free. You probably have to be important - or know somebody who is important. I bet you have to be Canadian. You might even have to be dead. And after going through all of that hassle to get a bench, who decides where your bench goes? I don't really want a bench on a highway next to the trash bin or in a rest stop near the bathroom door. But, Canadians are pretty thoughtful. There are probably standards for bench placement. Even so, I wouldn't want that thankless job.