Our Angel

This is a picture of my great-nephew, Ty, sitting with his Great-Grandmother, my Mom. We didn't know it at the time, but the pictures we took of Ty that night would be the last ones we would ever take of him. Yesterday, September 28, would have been Ty's 12th birthday. He has been gone for eight years. Ty was born on the anniversary of my Dad's death (Ty's great-grandfather). From the day he was born at Sick Children's Hospital in Toronto, Ty was special. When his Mom and Dad brought him home , he was fragile but determined to live. And live he did! To know Ty was to love him. Everyone who met him fell under his spell. There was something special about the little boy who fought so hard to live those first few months, and then lived so hard for the next three-and-a-half years. He became an active toddler, and fooled us all into thinking that everything was ok with him. He began pre-school and enjoyed playing with the other children, and going to school just like his big sister. Then, as suddenly as he had come into our lives, he left. I don't think any of us realized his impact until his funeral. The church was overflowing with people who came to remember him. He touched the lives and hearts of so many people. Perhaps Ty's entire reason for being here for those short three-and a half years was to remind us that there are angels and there is a heaven, and that sometimes angels come to visit us - but only stay for a short while. Although, for his family, letting him go was the most difficult thing to do, knowing that we were truly touched by an angel and we will see him again . . . it's a good thing.

Autumn Begins

During the past couple of weeks, we have witnessed the transformation of summer into fall.  The days are shorter, the nights are cooler and the leaves are beginning to turn colour.  Life seems to return to normal and routines are observed once again after the laid-back summer season.

Autumn was my Dad’s favourite time of year.  I never did agree with his choice of favorite season, as to me fall is a stark reminder that winter is coming.  I have to admit, however, it does have a beauty which must be appreciated. Walking or driving down tree-lined streets shimmering in gold and red is breath taking.  In gardens and backyards, the view turns from green to multi-coloured.  Bringing in produce from the garden, emptying flower pots and raking leaves are melancholy reminders to enjoy those last few days of beautiful weather before winter winds start to blow. 

 My vision of autumn is one of my dad raking leaves and stopping to lean on his rake to tell me how this is his favourite season. That picture of him is ingrained in mind forever.  He loved fall.  He enjoyed the change in weather from the hot days of summer to the crisp, clean air of autumn. Perhaps fall was the only season he really could take the time to enjoy.  As a farmer, spring was busy with calving and seeding, summer with all the demanding work of farming, fall with its tension-filled days of harvesting, and winters meant cold days of feeding cattle and getting things ready for spring.  Once harvest was completed, he had time to enjoy nature and to appreciate fall days.

 My dad died in fall. Today is the anniversary of his death. The day of his funeral, my older sister and I commented to each other how fitting it was his life ended in the season he loved.  As we buried him, red and gold leaves flew, and the air was crisp and clean.  Harvest was done.  Dad’s work was completed. 

Over the years since he passed away, autumn is the time of year I feel closest to Dad and when my memories of him are the strongest. As I rake leaves, clean flower beds and bring in the garden, my mind races back over the many fall seasons I enjoyed with him.  Without fail, every year when red and golden leaves blow across the yard and the air turns cool, in my mind’s eye I see Dad, leaning on his shovel wearing that old flannel-lined denim jacket, telling me that fall is his favourite time of year.  Having special memories for special seasons . . . it's a good thing!

An Angel In Our City

I attended a very special ceremony last week.  The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award was presented to Prince Albert’s only recipient,  Marie Mathers-Ross.  This award is being presented to deserving people across Canada to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. 

I have known Marie for approximately ten years and she has never ceased to amaze me with her generosity and commitment to helping others.  She has resided in Prince Albert since 1966.  Since then, many organizations and individuals in Prince Albert, and indeed, across Saskatchewan, have benefited from Marie’s extensive leadership skills, expertise and enthusiasm.   Marie continually gives of herself to her community. She volunteers a great deal of time and puts tremendous effort into everything she does. 

She works diligently with the Royal Canadian Legion, the Federal Prison Officers’ Club of Saskatchewan and the Federal Superannuates Association of Prince Albert and District.  She does so because she believes it is extremely important to honour those who have worked and sacrificed to permit us to have the quality of life we now enjoy.   Marie has also worked extensively with the St. John Ambulance and the Provincial Emergency Measures Organization.

Marie has always been a strong advocate for newcomers to our city.  She is fluent in English, French, German and Yiddish, which is beneficial when working with families who have chosen to make Prince Albert their home.  These skills and talents are also put to good use as a member of the Prince Albert Multicultural Association, the Prince Albert Housing Authority and the Welcome Wagon in facilitating their integration into our community.

Marie’s sharing heart, compassionate soul and commitment to the most vulnerable in our community has led her to work with the Prince Albert Food Bank, the Downtown Improvement Association and the Prince Albert Council of Women. Marie was very involved with Girl Guides and the Boy Scouts of Canada for over forty years.  She assumed many roles in the scouting movement. 

Marie has received many awards in recognition of her outstanding contributions throughout her lifetime.  She has been the recipient of the scout’s movement’s Good Service to Scouting and Medal of Merit.  She was honoured with the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal.  The Prince Albert YWCA’s Women of Distinction honoured her with the Lifetime Achievement Award.  She has received the Council of Women’s Certificate of Recognition of Women Leaders in Prince Albert.  As well, she has received the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal.

Throughout all of these years of service to her community, Marie was a wife and a mother of a large family. 

 The last few years have seen Marie struggle with health issues and surgeries, but still she continues to give of herself.  I have seen her come home from Saskatoon after a medical procedure and, rather than rest, head off to one of her many meetings.  She books her meetings and hours of volunteerism around her doctor appointments. 

As I watched Marie, her tiny frame sitting on the huge official chair at City Hall, it struck me again how one person can make a difference in the world.  I admire her strength in the face of the many struggles she has dealt with and her commitment to her community.  She understands how the actions of one person can change the life of another. 

Congratulations, Marie, on this well-deserved recognition.  You are truly an angel and we in Prince Albert are fortunate to have you working for us.  Special people receiving well-deserved recognition . . .  it's a good thing!

Labour Day

As we enjoy the extra day off this long week-end, I think it is important to remember the reason we observe Labour Day.  In Canada, we have celebrated Labour Day since the 1880’s and we have observed it on the first Monday in September since then.   This is a time to remember the sacrifices and vision of those who came before us and fought for many of the benefits we now take for granted – things like a forty-hour week, an eight-hour day,  sick leave and maternity leave. 

The labour unions were the first to advocate the “eight-hour movenment” – eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation and eight hours for rest.   Because of the efforts in this regard of the Toronto Trades Asssembly, made up of twenty-seven unions, our first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, repealed anti-union laws and the first Trade Union Act was passed in 1873. 

Labour Day is very important to union members all over the world and is celebrated world-wide, although not all on the same day.  The majority of countries who celebrate Labour Day site  its origin as the fight for the eight-hour day and also celebrate all the other benefits gained over the years after that.  We now enjoy good working conditons and fair wages which contribute to a better way of life for all of us.

Even those who are not members of a union should appreciate the actions of organized labour that have led to all of us being treated fairly and with respect in the work place.  It was because of the pressure excerted by the members of organized unions that even non-unionized work places began to offer eight-hour days and forty-hour weeks.  We now enjoy many other benefits, no matter where we work and no matter if we are affliated with a union or not.

Many people see the Labour Day week-end as the end of summer and the start of the new school year.  People who have cabins at the lake often close down their summer place on this week-end.  And of course, in Saskatchewan, we cheer on our Riders in the annual Labour Day Classic against the Blue Bombers.  Parents often use this week-end to spend leisurely quality time with their children before the mad rush of school and extra-curricular events and sports begin.  Whatever your plans are for this week-end, I hope you enjoy it and have a wonderful time.  I also hope you take a moment to reflect on the reason we celebrate this week-end and to appreciate the lifestyle we enjoy because of it.