When I was young I fell in love with Corner Brook after I read the poem Cooks Brook by Al Pittman. It was the first poem of Al’s I read. I carried Al’s collected works with me across the island in my backpack as I walked and when my team and I stayed in Prince Edward Park often fell asleep with it in my arms. The city, student union and women’s centre co-hosted an event for me on campus and gave me donations for Pathways. I first met Archbishop Hundt there four years before he became the archbishop of St. John’s. Being back there to attend the screening of Peter’s documentary, Just Be Gemma and give a speech at Pride brought all of those memories back. The warm welcome I received made it feel like a homecoming. And discussing literature and how writing saved me with so many young people topped it all off. Thanks for everything, Corner Brook. I mention walking through you in my upcoming book. The might of your mountains gave me the lift I needed when the weather was particularly harsh and my feet hurt so much I winced with every step. The biggest Pride in Corner Brook yet. Congrats to the Pride Committee and thanks for inviting me to be a part of it. #JustBeGemma #AlmostFeral #LBGTQ2 #Pride #NLProud #CornerBrook #NewfoundlandAndLabrador