The Perfect Gift

We've all heard the saying, "It's better to give than to receive". That is especially true when you find the perfect gift for someone - that gift that you just know they are going to love! It's so perfect that you can't wait to give it. That's when it feels really, really good to give. Sometimes, however, you fluke it and end up giving someone the perfect gift without realizing that it is the perfect gift when you buy it. One Christmas I bought two of my little nephews a farm set. It had the barn, tractors, animals - everything you would need to run a farm. I thought they would like it, but it turned out they loved it! They screamed with delight when they opened it and they played for hours with it. They kept telling me that it was "the most perfect-est gift ever"! Another Christmas, my then two-year old son received a Smurf train set from his aunt. He loved that train so much we could not get him to open his other gifts. Whenever we gave him another gift to open, he would push it out of his way and continued playing with his train set. To the giver, those "perfect gift" moments are priceless. Finding - and giving - the most "perfect-est" gift . . . it's a good thing!

An Angel Among Us

This is a picture of my 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 10th birthday. He has been gone for six 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.

Mark Zuckerberg

Although he is only twenty-six years old, Mark Zuckerberg is worth $6.9 billion! Mark, and three Harvard University friends are the founders of the social network, Face Book. His 24% share in Face Book has made him a billionaire! Not bad for someone who is at the age at which most people are just finishing their education and starting their careers. I like Mark - because he has decided to give away $100 million! I love it when rich people give money - a lot of money - to worthwhile causes. Mark is donating his money to the Newark, New Jersey public school system. The Newark education system is the worst performing school district in the USA. Forty-five percent of the students do not graduate, and only twenty percent of those who graduate go on to post-secondary education. Zuckerberg is hoping his contribution will provide the funds needed to fix the system and to increase student graduation levels. Very rich people who give a lot of money away to good causes . . . . it's a good thing!

Rushing The Season

As I was out walking yesterday, I came upon one of my neighbors up on a ladder. I thought maybe he was doing some repairs to his house, or perhaps, washing windows. But no - he was putting up his Christmas lights! On September 26! Who does that? How can you possibly get yourself into the Christmas spirit in November and December, when you have put your lights up on your house in September? I admit it was a nice day, and it would be nice to put lights up without freezing your hands. Not that I would know . . . my husband and I always wait until its at least -25 before we suddenly remember that the lights have to be put up. We could, at that point, decide to not put lights up, but how could we have Christmas without lights? As my husband says every year, how can you get into the Christmas spirit without frozen finger tips? My neighbor, out there on his ladder, in shirt sleeves, is not working himself into any type of Christmas spirit, he is simply "getting the job done". While a part of me admires him for being far sighted and organized, it just wouldn't feel right putting up Christmas lights on September 26. Decorating your house, wearing parkas, scarves and mitts and giving your husband instructions through frozen lips . . . it's a good thing!

Little Things - Big Impact

The other day, I stopped in at a Tim Horton's and went to the drive-through to grab a coffee and continue on with my day. I was, as usual, in a hurry, so I wasn't paying attention to what a beautiful day it was. The voice in the intercom asked me what I wanted, I told him and continued on to the window, still thinking about all I had to do that day. I had the right change ready, barely made eye contact with the server and continued on. As I drove to the Horton's exit, I checked for on-coming traffic. In doing so, I happened to glance down at the cup of coffee I had just picked up. There on the lid, just above the "B" for black coffee, the server had drawn a happy face! I smiled when I saw it. Suddenly, in that instant, I noticed that the sun was shining and that it was a lovely day. That smiley face stopped me for an moment, long enough for me to appreciate the great day, and to slow down a little. The busy day ahead of me suddenly did not seem so daunting. I showed my lid to a lot of people that day, and without fail, they all smiled when they saw it. I wonder if that server knows how his simple act brightened my day and, in a chain-reaction, allowed me to brighten the day for others by showing them the happy face he had drawn on my cup. People anonymously doing little things that have a big impact on others . . . it's a good thing!

Grandparents

A few days ago, I wrote about Keifer Sutherland and the unveiling of Tommy Douglas' statue in Weyburn. My blog that day was about how the ability to become famous and successful seems to run in a family through-out generations. However, the past few days I have been thinking about how Keifer must have felt to see the statue of his grandfather. To him, this man was not the Premier of the province, was not the father of public health care, but a grandfather he loved, a man who was buried over twenty years ago. Sutherland was at the ceremony not as a movie star, but as a grand child. Knowing the bond between a child and a grandparent, I wonder what emotions he felt as he unveiled the statue and saw his grandfather. The two men in the pictures are my grandfathers. The one standing by the chair is my maternal grandfather, a man I knew well and loved very much. The man reading a book is my paternal grandfather who died before I was born. Even though I never met him and never knew him, I still feel some connection to him. As a young girl, I spent a lot of time with my maternal grandparents. I remember days spent with my grandpa, collecting eggs, weeding his garden, raiding his raspberries and going for walks with him. I remember the bond between me, the grandchild and my grandfather. He has also been gone for over twenty years. What would it feel like to unveil a statue of him after all these years? I think it would be a very emotional event and I think that the thoughts and feeling of you the child, would come to the surface. I realize now that the this statue must have caused Sutherland to go back through the years and to relive those special, wonderful moments with his grandfather. Basking in the love of grandparents and hanging on to those memories forever . . . it's a good thing!

M & M World

As a child, I never really cared for M & M's. I still don't. They're ok, but I don't think I've ever actually bought a pack of M & M's. Oh, they are really cute in their little TV commercials, and I know parents like them because they don't melt in their little one's hand. I've seen the M & M merchandise in various stores, but didn't really think about it - that is, until I saw an M & M store on the Strip in Vegas! An entire store - FOUR stories - dedicated to M & M merchandise! Why? Who wants stuff with the M & M logo on it? Well, obviously a lot of people! There is one whole floor of children's clothes. On the other floors you can find adult clothes, kitchen things, lamps, baby things, ornaments, school supplies, purses, scarves and Christmas decorations - just about anything you can imagine, you can probably find at the M & M Store. There is one section with huge containers of M & M's in each color. You can buy only your favorite color or you can mix the colors. The store is bustling with families, with teen-agers and seniors, and each floor is busy ringing in the sales. The whole idea amazes me and I would like to know more about the person who opened this store. Why would he or she think that they could be successful operating a four-story store than sold only M & M branded items? Where would they get the idea? What would make a business person think that adults would want a four-piece M & M decorated dinner set? Where ever they drew their inspiration from, they were dead on; the store is a success, and people take home item after item decorated with M & M's. Marvelling at the ingenuity of people who take a far-fetched idea and turn it into a success story . . . it's a good thing!

Run For The Cure

In a previous blog, I wrote about my buddy Barb and her scrapbooking talents and her creative eye in photography. While her creativity is amazing, the project she has embarked on over the last week is testament to her determination and strength. Barb decided to participate in the CIBC Run For The Cure and set her goal for pledges at $300. The woman who, not even a year ago, was striken down by H1N1 and could hardly get a breath in or out, is going to walk in a marathon! Barb sent the word out to her friends and acquaitances, and by the second day she had surpassed her goal of $300, so she raised it - again and again and again. Today, her pledges are over $1,500. Friends showed Barb their loyalty, admiration and - well, disbelief - by donating to her cause. It is, after all, a cause that touches each and every one of us. As well, how could we not donate to our friend who's lungs were battered and bruised a few short months ago, was on oxygen for weeks, and yet insists on taking part in a marathon? If you wish to donate to the Run For The Cure, which will take place on October 3, this is the link to Barb's donation page: https://secure3.convio.net/cbcf/site/Donation2?idb=1027136456&df_id=1302&FR_ID=1107&PROXY_ID=1474673&PROXY_TYPE=20&1302.donation=form1 Supporting a friend AND a great cause . . . it's a good thing!

Newly Famous

Saturday night, I went to see Johnny Reid in concert. Reid sang to a sold out house. He has a powerful voice, great songs, great musicians, and the show itself was terrific. But I was struck by something else from the moment he walked on stage: he absolutely loved being there and he is so grateful to his fans. He is still new enough to being famous, and not quite famous enough yet, to be thrilled with the applause and the fact that all these people came here to hear HIM. He has not yet become jaded with the whole fame thing. He has not yet been famous enough for long enough for him to take it all for granted. It really was something to witness. Several times he thanked people for using their "hard-earned money" to purchase tickets for his show. It was almost like he couldn't quite believe that people would pay to see him. He talked about his father being a diesel mechanic and how, coming from this working man background, these last two years have been an incredible ride. You could hear the joy, happiness and almost-disbelief in his words and see it in his actions. It made me smile just to watch him on cloud nine. I have never witnessed this before - usually by the time most of us see a singer, he or she has been famous for awhile, is already blase and though they thank their audiences and their fans, it doesn't come from the heart. Reid's new fame and his joy in it is something I have never seen before and probably won't again. Likely, in the near future, after filling stadiums and concert halls time after time, he will not be so mesmerized by it all, but for now he, and his audience, are enjoying the ride. Having the opportunity to hear someone who is newly famous and sharing in the wonder . . . it's a good thing.

Summer of Storms

This has truly been a summer of storms. In my city, we have had almost constant rain since June, with little breaks of sunshine every once in a while. A vicious plough wind destroyed many of our beautiful old trees. Throughout the province, many cities have suffered massive flooding - images of people boating down their main streets flashed on our tv screens this summer. However, our disasters paled in comparison to disasters around the world. The "summer of storms" was world wide. We watched in horror as earth quakes hit Haiti, China, New Zealand and Japan. A volcano erupted in Iceland which caused world wide air travel to grind to a halt for over a week. Floods and mudslides caused havoc in Brazil, Pakistan and the USA. While it was not a pleasant summer for most of us, we are fortunate that our lives were not disrupted, that our homes are intact, and our cities are still standing. Knowing that someone else's weather is even worse, and appreciating that a cold, rainy summer is a blessing when compared to disasters around the world . . . it's a good thing.

Old Photographs

I think old pictures are priceless. I, like most people, have pictures of my parents and my grandparents when they were young. I remember as a child looking through my Grandma's pictures and being spellbound by photos of her and Grandpa in the early days of their marriage, and pictures of my Mom and my Aunt as children. Grandma had a soft leather-bound photo album with black pages that the pictures were attached to. How I loved that photo album! Without that visual, I would not have known my parents and grandparents in their youth. It was a shock to my young mind to realize that they had not always been "old". It taught me that they had once been young and had had very different lives than the one they were living now - just as we all have once we leave home. The picture in this blog is of me and my Dad. The photo tells me so much. If it had never been taken, I would not have known that one day Dad came in from his chores, and picked me up and held me. The picture of the farmer in his work clothes holding a baby, lovingly dressed in beautiful clothes by her mother, reminds me of the love between all parents and their children. I don't know who took this picture, but I am grateful to that photographer. Old photographs that tie the past to the present, and remind you of who you are - and who you were . . . it's a good thing!

Letting Go

Today my beautiful niece (and godchild) left for Ireland with her husband. They plan to stay there for one year. It is difficult to imagine Amber being thousands of miles away from us for an entire year. From the day she was born, she has been a shimmering ray of sunshine in the lives of everyone she touched, and an important member of our family. She has a smile that lights up the entire room and a quiet elegance. She is our princess (without the attitude)! While I will miss her, I am so proud of her for being a confident young woman who is ready to explore the world. She grew up in a family that surrounded her with unconditional love and she carries that love with her no matter what continent she is on. At the age of twenty-one, she has maturity and common sense beyond her years. She is a strong young woman who will take on the world on her own terms - just as it should be! Knowing that, even though it is difficult to let her go, the love of her family has created a strong independent woman who takes a piece of each of us wherever she goes . . . it's a good thing!

You're Famous- I Think We're Related!

On Friday, Keifer Sutherland was in Weyburn, Saskatchewan to unveil a statue of his grandfather, former Premier Tommy Douglas. How interesting that a man who is famous world-wide for introducing publicly-funded medicare is the grandfather of a man who is famous world-wide for being an actor, and especially for his role as Jack Bauer on 24. Is there a gene that flows through a family which makes that family more likely to be famous? Are charisma and leadership part of the make-up of a genetic code? I think they may be - especially in light of what geneology researchers have recently found. Some time ago, geneologists said they had traced a direct line of ancestry for Madonna and Celine Dion! Now, the researchers have found other direct relatives in the same line, which include Alanis Morissette and Hillary Clinton! Those are four powerful ladies in one family! Researchers have also found that Hillary Clinton is a distant cousin to Angelina Jolie. Hillary Clinton's mother is of French Canadian descent, and Angelina, Madonna, Celine and Alanis also have French ties - but the fact they all trace their family ancestry from the same tree is incredible! Bill Clinton is a distant cousin to Camilla Parker-Bowles (one-time "the other woman" and now wife of Prince Charles). Obviously, as well as a "famous" gene, there may well be a gene for very public extra-marital affairs. President Obama's family tree is incredible and includes Brad Pitt, Presidents George and George W. Bush, President Gerald Ford, President Lyndon Johnson, President Harry Truman and President James Madison! His family tree also includes Sir Winston Churchill and American civil war General Robert E. Lee. I find these "family ties" absolutely amazing! There has to be a trait which is passed on through the generations that cause people to search for success and to be famous. It is not something that is learned because all of the people I've mentioned, with the exception of Keifer Sutherland and Tommy Douglas, didn't even know they were related to other famous people until researchers traced their genealogy. Based on this, will I or anyone in my family ever be famous? It doesn't look good for us. A few years ago I was contacted by a distant cousin in France who had researched our family tree. The closest to fame we come to is that we had a family member who married the cousin of Marie-Antoinette - close, but not enough to live on forever in history books. Doris Day's song "Que Sera, Que Sera" asks the questions "Will I be famous, will I be rich?" Well, Doris, it would appear that the answers are in your family tree. Everyone should take a peek through the branches of the family tree! Learning about yourself by learning about your ancestors . . . it's a good thing!

Cocked, Locked, Ready To Rock!

Aerosmith was in town last night with their Cocked, Locked, Ready to Rock Tour and what a show they put on! It was interesting to see who their audience was: the ages ranged from teeny-bopper to much older. It didn't matter the age, however, everyone knew the words to all the songs! This band is celebrating its' fortieth anniversary! Steven Tyler's voice shows no signs of letting up at the age of sixty-two and he still struts his stuff like no one else can. The musicians backing him all have grey hair but they still rock! Tyler runs up and down the stage with the energy of someone half his age and still flirts with his female fans along the front row (most of whom are a quarter of his age!). They performed for a solid two hours. I don't know what keeps these aging bands so popular, but I hope they never quit rocking! There doesn't seem to be anyone stepping up to take over from them, and they don't seem ready to hand over the stage to anyone else yet. Reliving your youth, as you and the rock band age together (and bring everyone else along for the ride) . . . . it's a good thing!

Sleep The Night Away

You're sleeping and you suddenly wake up. What time is it? You check the clock and you smile because you still have three hours before you have to get up! Isn't that one of the best things ever? There is something so special about knowing that you can go back to sleep and that you don't have to face the world again for a few more hours. I'm sure I fall back asleep with a huge smile on my face. Even when you eventually do have to get up, you still are on a high from the experience, and - unless something goes terribly wrong with your day - the euphoria can stay with you throughout an entire day. I love it when little things like that happen which cause you to be happy! Waking up to find out you can sleep for a few more hours . . . it's a good thing!

A Friend For Every Occassion

The other day a friend was telling me about an event she was going to. When I asked her if a mutual friend was attending, she said, "Oh no, these are my career friends" (meaning they all have the same occupation). She went on to explain that our mutual friend was from a different catagory of friends. She said she also has work friends, bar friends and political friends and she rarely, if ever, "mixes and matches" the different categories of friends. I was amazed: I thought I was the only one that did that! I shouldn't have been surprised - this particular friend and I are constantly taken aback at our similarities, whether it is our upbringing, our beliefs, our likes and dislikes, and how we raise our children. While there is a dozen or so years of age difference between us, our lives are so parallel that the categorizing of friends should have been a given. I have music friends, school friends, university friends, serious tree-hugging friends, right of center friends, political friends and creative friends. I too rarely mix any of the groups together. Each group is pinholed into a certain area and I know who to call for every specific event. Some of my life-long friends don't even know each other! Some of my closest friends have never met my husband or my children, while other friends are an important part of our family circle. Maybe my friend and I are unusual in how we deal with our friends, but it works for us and I wouldn't have it any other way! Having the perfect group of friends for every different event and occasion . . . it's a good thing!

The Winning Team

Don't you just love it when your team wins? It doesn't matter if you are watching professional sports or a team of pre-schoolers, everyone wants to be on the winning team. You really put your heart and pride on the line when you declare your loyalty to a team. I don't think anything feels as good as having your team beat out the opposition. The euphoria you feel makes up for any and all games lost in the past. I cheer loud and proud for my teams and I have no qualms about rubbing it in to opposing fans when we win. The joy of success, the bragging rights, the "mightier than thou" attitude, the "happy" dance - it's all a part of being on the winning team. When our teams win, we all bask in the glow and we are all one big happy family (unlike the blame game when our teams lose - then it becomes the fault of the coach, the manager or the player). Oh yes, triumph is sweet. Cheering your team on to victory . . . it's a good thing!

Bubble Bath

Is there anyone in the world who doesn't love a bubble bath? At the end of a long day, there is nothing more relaxing than soaking in a tub of hot water and bubbles. I think that bubbles are good for the soul. After soaking in a bubble bath, you are refreshed and reinvigorated. Some people meditate, others soak in a bubbles! People of all ages cannot resist the call of the bubble bath. Which parent hasn't used coloured bubbles to entice a reluctant child into the tub? It is said that Marilyn Monroe loved bubble baths so much that she was often late for appearances because she spent so much time in the tub. When the water got cold, she would add more hot water and more bubbles. She said she was making up for all the years of growing up in poverty when she never had the opportunity of having bubble baths. From babies to adults, all the world loves bubbles! Looking forward to a bubble bath at the end of a busy day . . . it's a good thing!

J. K. Rowling

Those of you who have been reading my blog know that I love it when rich people share their wealth. I have written about Bill Gates and Warren Buffet's "The Giving Pledge" wherein billionaires pledge to give away at least half of their fortune and Harvey Ball, the inventor of the "Smiley Face" who's World Smile Corporation gives away millions to charity every year. J.K. Rowling has just become another one of my heroes. She has just given $15.4 million to the University of Edinburgh in Scotland to set up a new clinic to carry out research into MS. What makes this action even more poignant to me is that not so long ago J.K. Rowling was a single mom on social assistance. She wrote her first Harry Potter book sitting in a coffee shop with her child. From that humble beginning, Rowling is now a billionaire. MS is of special interest to her, as her mother died from complications related to MS. When making her statement, Rowling said that she has just turned 45, the age her mother was when she died. Edinburgh is Rowling's hometown. Scotland has one of the highest rates of MS in the world. The centre will also study other degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. People who remember their roots and share their wealth (and write great books) . . . it's a good thing!

Diet, Exercise and Drink Wine!

This is just too good to be true! Dutch researchers recently released their study on the benefits of wine. Yes - the BENEFITS of wine! They found that drinking a half-glass of wine a day might help you live longer - five years longer! They said wine may contribute to longevity because it seems to prevent the build-up of fatty tissue in the arteries. For people who suffer from arthritis, the Dutch scientists found that drinking wine significantly reduced inflammation and even reduced the risk of developing several arthritic conditions! But here is the best news of all: women who drink a light to moderate amount of wine tend to gain less weight than women who don't drink! Bringham and Women's Hospital in Boston conducted a study of 19,000 women over 13 years and found this to be true. This is the best diet aid I have ever heard of! They are not sure why it works, but suspect the reason is because women who drink moderate amounts of alcohol tend to eat less food, particularly carbs. So, bring on the wine and shed those pounds! Enjoying a glass of wine or two because it's healthy for you . . . it's a good thing!

Katrina Heroes

It is hard to believe that it has been over five years since Katrina hit the gulf coast. New Orleans survived the brutal attack by nature, however the next day the levies failed and the entire city was flooded. It was a catastrophe that forced people of of their homes and out of their city. Out of this disaster has come stories of friendship, heroism and generosity. One story that caught my eye and my imagination was the story of the McCray and the Sandord families. The McCrays lived in New Orleans.As the water rose and they were forced onto their roof to survive and to await rescue, they made a vow their family would not be split up. The three generations of McCrays ranging from ages 55 years to 4 weeks old, from five different households, left together for Dallas where they were crammed into two hotel rooms. A Dallas volunteer, Sue Sandford, a forty-one year old divorced mother of four children, ranging from ages 9 to 15, met the McCray family and decided this family needed her. She insisted that they all come and live with her and her children in her five-bedroom home in an affluent Dallas neighborhood for as long as they needed to. The McCrays stayed for two weeks, but the bond they have formed has lasted for five years and continues to be strong. They now visit each other several times a year and their children consider each other as brothers and sisters. Shawn McCray, Sue's eleven year old son, recently told the media that of course he loves the McCrays because "You have to love your family". Two families who were total strangers five years ago have created a bond that will no doubt last a life time, all because Sue Sandford decided to help. I love this quote from Sue, "Loving strangers is using a different part of your heart". People like Sue Sandford and her family make the world a better place to live and give us all hope. Knowing that everyday heroes arise in every crisis with love and compassion . . . it's a good thing.

The Hell With The Bells!

The retired teachers in my city have a wonderful tradition. Every year, on the first day of school, they gather for morning coffee and have a "The Hell With The Bells" celebration. While working teachers are welcoming students back and getting them organized for another year, these wonderful retired teachers meet once a year to thumb their noses at the bells that ruled their lives for so long. What a great way to release the stress built up over years of teaching children. What a great way to keep in touch with each other, many of these former teachers taught together for years. On that first day of school, do teachers think about the day they too can say "The Hell With The Bells"? As the buses roll in, carrying dozens of screaming and excited children, do they longingly dream of joining this elite group of men and women? I wonder if this event is unique to my city, or do teachers everywhere take part in this almost-secret ritual? After a lifetime of teaching, having the chance to sing out "The Hell With The Bells" . . . it's a good thing!