Christmas

I love Christmas! I love the hustle and bustle, the shopping, gift wrapping and the excitement in the air no matter where you are. I enjoy gift wrapping, decorating the house, putting up the trees (yes, trees) and Christmas baking. However, my favorite part of Christmas is getting together with friends over the holiday season and spending Christmas Day with family. Celebrating with friends and family has always been something I truly enjoy and it is what makes this season so special to me.
Our family tradition was to gather at our parents’ home for Christmas Day. Over the last few years we still celebrate together, but my husband and I host the gathering. I love the large, noisy family who comes into our home each year. Our house rings with laughter and joking. We enjoy that comfortable and peaceful feeling that comes from being with family who know each other better than anyone else ever could – and still like each other! I always marvel at the inter-generational exchanges and how age doesn't matter at a family gathering. We all have something in common: each other.
It is always amazing to see young people deep in discussion with much older relatives, and older relatives taking interest in the lives and gossip of younger people. Young and old, we are all related and we learn from each other. I am often struck by how diverse we are. We are all so alike and yet so different from each other. We bask in unconditional love and know that each of us is an important part of our family. That is the magic of family, and it becomes even more magical at Christmas.
Over the years, our group as grown as we married and had children, and now those children are married with babies of their own. I believe the best gift we can give our children is the security of family. I hope my children have benefited from being a part of a close extended family and that they and their cousins will carry on the tradition of the big family gatherings.
To each and every one of you, best wishes for a very Merry Christmas. May your Christmas celebration be perfect and leave with wonderful memories to cherish through-out the year.
Enjoying a safe and happy holiday season. . . it's a good thing!

No Sunday This Week

My family continues on the journey we have embarked on with my mother. As her Alzheimer’s progresses, we learn new things about this unrelenting disease and its horrible effects on its victims and their families. This week we took another step in the battle we will never win – we moved Mom from the level one/two care home she has lived in since February to a level three/four care home. Her disease has progressed to the point where she now needs more specialized care. She now resides behind closed and locked doors for her own safety.

I am constantly amazed at the puzzle that has become Mom’s memory, and at the holes and gaps that are now a part of her life. Yet there are some things she always remembers. She still remembers her children, although she is not always sure who her grandchildren are anymore. She always talks about the “three nuns” who resided in the last apartment building she lived in while still independent. There never were three nuns living there, but she has inserted a memory into one of the newly created gaps in her mind, and she never forgets that piece of false information. Rarely a visit goes by that she doesn’t mention them. Perhaps she finds comfort and safety in this recollection, as she spent her childhood living in a convent, going home only for holidays and the summer. She always spoke lovingly of her days there and kept in contact with the sisters throughout all of her life. It may be that she is seeking the safety provided to her as a child, and somehow finds comfort in remembering the three sisters who lived in her building.

Through-out her life, one of Mom’s biggest pleasures was attending church. When she was independent, she went every Sunday, often walking to church from her home. After she moved, I would try to drive her to church most Sundays. She enjoyed the service itself and she loved visiting with other parishioners. She looked forward to these Sunday outings. As she lost her sense of time, she was often confused as to what day it was. “Is it Sunday today?” became the other item she always remembers each time I see her. When I tell her that it is not Sunday, she always remarks, “So, there is no church today”.

One day recently, as Mom and I drove to a coffee shop, she asked me if it was Sunday. I was just about to say no, when she remarked “No it isn’t - there’s no Sunday this week”. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at this comment, but then it struck me that this could well be a metaphor for what her life has become. There are “no Sundays” in her life anymore, because now even if she attends church, she has forgotten by the next day. Visits with her family and friends fade from memory almost as soon as they walk out the door. Each day is as confusing as the one before. There is no longer anything special about Sunday, it has simply become another day, no different than a week day. There is, in fact, “no Sunday this week” for Mom.

So, for those of us who still have Sundays in our week, let’s savour every moment. Let us relish time with family and friends and enjoy each activity in our lives. Let’s live each day to its fullest. Hopefully, we will always have a Sunday in our week. Appreciating and enjoying our lives . . . it's a good thing!

Pink Glove Generousity

October is breast cancer awareness month. Many activities take place to create public awareness and to raise funds for breast cancer research. Two years ago, Medline Industries sponsored a “Pink Glove Dance” video. The video was created a Providence St. Vincent Medical Centre in Portland, Oregon. It has been viewed millions of times on YouTube. The concept took on a life of its own and this year, Medline decided to sponsor a contest, awarding money to the winner’s choice of breast cancer charity. To enter the contest, hospitals and nursing homes were to create their own Pink Glove Dance video.
Our own Victoria Hospital decided to take on the challenge. Over 190 Physicians, staff members, volunteers and friends of Prince Albert Parkland Health District created a wonderful video which can be seen on YouTube. The result is an excellent four minute video. For those of us in Prince Albert, we are enjoying watching it and picking out people we know. For others in Saskatchewan who may not know the individuals, but are voting for the only video submitted from our province, they are witnessing the dedication and commitment of the people who work at our hospital.
All the videos submitted by hospitals and nursing homes across Canada and the United States showcase health employees dressed in pink. The Victoria Hospital video is no different, with pink gloves, hats, boas and clothing on display. What makes our video unique and truly Saskatchewan is that mixed in with the pink are a number of green Saskatchewan Rough Rider t-shirts. What a perfect touch to a great video!
In a perfect world, we would all help each other and take time out of our busy lives to volunteer for a good cause. However, we do not live in a perfect world and so when a whole group of people take time out of their lives to create something like this video in order to raise money for charity, it is a wonderful example of true generosity.
The cancer charity of choice for the Prince Albert Parkland Health District employees is the Saskatoon Cancer Agency. The winning video will be chosen by the number of on-line votes it receives. By the time you read this, voting will have closed. By next week, we will know who the winners are.
Whether the Victoria Hospital employees win or not, I hope the people who created and appeared in this video know they are all winners to us. Not only have they brought breast cancer awareness to the forefront in our region, they have shown the world what generous and dedicated health care workers live and work in Saskatchewan. To our video stars: well done and thank you! Giving your all to help out a good cause . . . it's a good thing!

Thanksgiving

I don't know if it is because there have been so many catastrophes and human suffering around the world this year, or if each passing year makes me more appreciative, but whatever reason, I feel very grateful this Thanksgiving.
One only has to speak to people from other countries who come to Canada to find the freedoms we take for granted, to realize how fortunate we are and how thankful we should be. Citizens in other countries risk their lives to fight for the very freedoms we enjoy in Canada.
Closer to home, I am thankful for a wonderful family. My own little family and my extended family spend most holidays together. As I think back over the years at the gatherings I have enjoyed with brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and in-laws I realize anew what a wonderful family I was born into and I married into. I am grateful that at those gatherings we enjoy good food and always have enough left over for everyone to take food home. I compare that to the stories I have heard of children who have to fight for scraps of food just to survive.
I have wonderful friends which I am thankful for - both friends my husband and I have as a couple, and my female friends. When I compare the lives we lead as strong, independent women with the women in countries where they have no rights at all, I realize how fortunate we are. How blessed I am to have been born in a country and at a time when the women before me fought for the rights I and my friends now enjoy. My husband and I and our friends are privileged to have leisure time to enjoy getting together. For others, finding shelter and food is a full-time occupation with nothing left over for leisure.
I am grateful that by working and saving, my husband and I have a home we enjoy in a city we love. People in other countries work hard just to survive and will never have the opportunity to purchase their own home.
Thanksgiving is really a time to reflect upon how fortunate we are and how blessed our lives are. Well, for most us - the customary turkey is likely not so grateful to see Thanksgiving Day arrive. For the rest of us, however, enjoying a day with family and friends and being truly thankful for our good fortune is a wonderful way to celebrate this special day. Take time this year to count your blessings and to spend time with those you love. Being thankful for our good fortune . . .it's a good thing!

Autumn Memories

Autumn was my Dad's favourite time of year. While fall has never been my favourite season – only because winter is close behind - it does have its own beauty which I appreciate. Driving down tree-lined streets shimmering in gold and red is breath taking. The first warning of winter appears with shorter days and cooler nights. 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.
Fall seems to bring parents and children together, in an attempt to enjoy the dying days of summer. Tonight I saw a mom staking leaves in a pile so that her little boy could jump into it, much to his delight. My niece posted pictures on facebook of her three-year-old twins playing in the leaves in their back yard. In the store, I saw children and their parents looking over Halloween costumes, in search of the perfect one. Thanksgiving meals are being planned for families to enjoy together.
Autumn for me brings a vision of my dad raking leaves, 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. I think fall was the only season he could take the time to really enjoy. As a farmer, spring was busy with seeding, summer with all demanding work of farming, and fall was the tension-filled days of harvesting. Once the harvest was completed, he had time to enjoy nature and to appreciate fall days.
My dad died in fall. The anniversary of his death was this week. 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. He is there with me when I rake, clean flower beds and bring in the garden. Without fail, every year when red and golden leaves blow across the yard and when the air turns cool, in my mind’s eye I see Dad, leaning on his shovel and telling me that fall is his favourite time of year. Remembering a special reason for each season . . . it's a good thing.

Family

This week-end, I went to my nephew’s wedding. It was a beautiful day. The sun shone brightly, the skies were clear and blue and the wedding was perfect. Family came from near and far to share in this special day. Every occasion my family gets together like this provides the opportunity to reconnect with nieces and nephews, cousins and in-laws. I enjoy the inter-action between the generations. Young and old, we are related and we learn from each other. We are safe in the unconditional love that we have for each other. Sometimes it amazes me how we are all so alike and yet so different from each other. We are family – and we are secure in the knowledge that we have each other’s backs no matter what life throws at us.
As I watched my nephew and his bride exchange vows, the years peeled away. I remembered being in a different town, watching my brother and his bride exchange vows. For a moment, it was surreal that I was now witnessing their youngest child being married. Later on at the dance, I watched our littlest relatives running and playing on the dance floor. The adults took turns holding and enjoying new babies. It doesn’t seem that long ago it was I and my siblings playing with cousins at family weddings, and watching my parents admire new additions. Before we knew it, our own children took over that role. I remember my five-year-old son in his role as ring-bearer, wearing a little white tux, running and playing with his cousins. They are now all adults.
Where have the years gone? Does this make me old? I have realized at other family events that I am witnessing generational passages. Our children are graduating from high school and university, getting married and having babies. They were children only yesterday, when did they grow up and begin having children of their own?
Our family is growing. New boyfriends and girlfriends, husbands and wives are becoming a part of our circle and new babies are beginning to appear. The next generation is on the move. I am quickly becoming one of “the old aunts” – a title once relegated to my father’s sisters. While I love the young people in our family, I wish time would slow down just a little. Allow me to get used to having grown children and to seeing my siblings with grown children. Now we are suddenly grand-parents, great-aunts and great-uncles.
It is amazing how quickly time is passing and how each new generation in stepping into the role of the previous one. It is, as they say in the Lion King, “the circle of life”. Each stage of life is precious and brings its challenges and rewards. Savour every moment.

Staying Alive By Being Generous

I recently came across a book called “Why Good Things Happen To Good People” by Jill Neimark and Dr. Stephen Post. Neimark is a science journalist, novelist and poet. Post is a bioethicist. They wrote the book together because they believe that giving is a good for you! Post and Neimark claim that giving protects your physical and mental well-being. Their theory is that while you can’t change the things that happen to you or the unkindness of others, you can create your own happiness and take care of your health through acts of generosity. What a concept!

The authors claim that you can have a longer, happier and healthier life simply by becoming more generous. Scientific research is showing that when we give of ourselves, everything in our lives change for the better. Life satisfaction and physical health is significantly affected. You are less likely to suffer from depression. It appears that mortality is delayed. There is an increase in well-being and good fortune. This is especially true if generosity is practiced at a young age.

How interesting that there is now a science of love and giving. In their book, Neimark and Post offer real-life stories to show how giving leads to health, happiness and a longer life. The incredible research includes a fifty-year study which shows that people who were generous and giving during their high school years have better physical and mental health throughout their entire lives. Other studies have shown that people who give live longer than those who don’t. There is an undeniable connection between generosity and good health. The research provides us all with the inspiration to change our lives, even in a small way.

Together, the authors interviewed dozens of people who had suffered unimaginable fates including paraplegics, Holocaust survivors, and people who had had horrific childhoods. Those survivors who found a way to help others overcame their hardships, and lived happier, more fulfilling lives than survivors who were not as generous. After interviewing people who had rebuilt their own lives by giving to others, Neimark and Post are more convinced than ever that we can make our own happiness and the best way to do so is by being generous to others. Being happy by giving to others, even if life has dealt you a difficult blow, is now a researched, scientific fact. You receive so much in return by being kind and generous to those who need it. Generosity as a cure-all. . . it's a good thing!

A Lesson Learned

A year ago this week, my step-dad passed away. We were heart-broken at the loss of this wonderful man, yet at the same time, we knew we were so fortunate to have known him and to have had him in our lives. Ovide was a wonderful man with a huge heart, a mischievous smile and a great sense of humour. He was quiet, unpretentious and always a gentleman. There was a kindness in him that came from his heart and soul. He was a truly thoughtful man who was always willing to help out and always had time to sit and visit.
He was widower when he married our Mom, herself a widow. He had nine grown children; Mom had three, plus three step-children. Our families became a mishmash of siblings, half-sibling and step-siblings. Somehow, it all worked. Dad’s nieces and nephews called Ovide “Uncle” and he gladly stepped into the role of their uncle. It became very complicated when we tried to explain to people how all the relationships in our families worked – who was related by blood, who was related by marriage and who was not even related at all. Sometimes, we could hardly keep track ourselves!
As well as being a wonderful husband to Mom, Ovide became a much-loved grandparent to our children, most of whom were too young to remember their biological grand-father. Over the years, they all grew to love him very much and he became an important part of our lives. He attended many graduations, weddings and all the important events of the young people in his life. Somehow, he managed to be keep his enthusiasm and joyfulness as he shared in the experiences of his own grandchildren, his step-grandchildren and the huge extended family he inherited when he married Mom.
That day, a year ago, as we sat and waited with him as he began the process of dying, our two families together in grief and love, it struck me that this dear, quiet, unassuming man had taught all of us - his children, step-children, grand-children and step-grandchildren - how to love and how to be a family and how, in the end, nothing matters but the love of family and friends. He showed us that being a family is more than simply sharing DNA and that you can be a family just because you want to be one. He taught us by example how to have a huge heart. Because of him, we know that it doesn’t matter how old you are or at what stage you are at in your life, opportunities arise and doors open, if you simply learn to love. As I reflect now a year later, I realize the most important lesson Ovide taught us all was the one which made him so happy: enjoy every minute you can with family and friends, (no matter the make-up of your family) and always be ready to welcome new people into your life.
I am grateful that we had the good fortune of having Ovide in our lives. Being given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to know a very special man . . . it's a good thing!

Happy Canada Day

Happy Birthday, Canada! Every year, I love and appreciate this country more and more. As my city becomes a destination point for more immigrants each year, and I have the opportunity through work to speak to them, I realize how very fortunate I am to be Canadian. The young fellow working in a grocery store or the woman working at a fast food restaurant have lived through horrors that we cannot even begin to imagine. They, in turn, cannot believe the freedoms and the wealth that we have here. They are in awe of our social programs, our health care and our education system. Many cannot believe that anyone and everyone can go to school - girls and boys, rich and poor - and that is it paid for by the government, and that there is no tuition. We take so many of these things for granted! All four of my grandparents came from France to start a new life in Canada. Over the last couple years, I have found myself often thinking of their bravery and determination, and I am so thankful that they took the risk of coming to this new country so many years ago. I have such a good life here, thanks to these four risk-takers. Sometimes it scares me a little to think that a twist of fate could have led to my being born somewhere else. Many of us living in Canada are descendants of immigrants. On Canada Day especially, we should take the time to reflect on how fortunate we are that our ancestors decided to build their lives here. Being Canadian . . . it's a good thing, eh!

Rocking With Sir Paul and Friends

I wonder what John Lennon would think if he knew that his fellow Beatle, Paul McCartney, was still rocking and filling stadiums at the age of sixty-nine? Yes, Sir Paul McCartney turned 69 this Saturday! (I also wonder what John would think of Paul being knighted. Somehow, I don’t think he would impressed).
So many old rockers are still touring. Many of them, like Paul, could be home collecting old age pensions and living off the millions of dollars they have earned over their lifetime. Yet they continue to thrill audiences and perform at sell-out concerts all over the world. They strut their stuff in front of kids who were not even born when their bands were formed! What is about the Paul McCartneys, the Mick Jaggers or the Gene Simmons that makes people forget that rock is supposed to be for the young? Why do their songs resonate with generation after generation? When the Stones played in Regina in 2005, both their concerts sold out in 15 minutes! ACDC tickets sold out in Regina in the same amount of time in 2009. The Eagles, Kiss and Elton John all played to sold-out audiences in Saskatoon over the last couple years. Steven Tyler and Areosmith are just as popular now as they were twenty years ago.
How can men and women in their fifties and sixties seem cool to teen-agers and young adults? How is it that their thirty- year-old songs are still relevant to the children and yes, even the grand-children of their peers? I think the secret is that they so love doing what they do, they just haven't taken the time to grow old. I believe that the love they have for their music and for their industry is so strong that it is contagious - and every new generation wants to be a part of that magic. They have written and sang songs that are so unique and so inspiring that everyone wants to hear the songs in a live performance by the original singers. These men and women of rock and roll have shown the world that age really is just a number and that if you love your life, you'll live it to the fullest and you will keep doing what you love. So, as well as giving us music that will be forever enjoyed, these musicians have shown generations behind them how to grow old without growing old. So, Sir Paul, Elton, Steven and all the other old rockers, keep doing what you love because the world loves what you are doing! Old rockers who keep rocking . . . it’s a good thing!

The Spoiled One

Saturday was my sister’s birthday . . .my younger sister . . . the baby of the family . . . the “spoiled one”. As I look at her now with her own four children all grown and away from home, it is difficult to imagine where the years have gone. I remember when Mom and Dad brought her home. I was so excited and fell in love with her immediately. She was so tiny and perfect, all bundled up in a little blanket. I was happy to have a baby sister. Yes, I was infatuated with her . . . until she started crying and didn’t stop for two years. I still loved her and I still thought she was cute, but the all-night crying sessions which kept us all awake, sort of took the joy out of having a baby sister.

She cried so much because she had health problems and doctors were baffled and unable to find the cause of her sickness. Finally, at the age of four, they had a diagnosis for her: she had severe allergies. She was allergic to – well, almost everything. My younger brother and I felt sorry for her – until we realized that we would suffer the consequences of her illness. Mom and Dad broke the news to us that we would have to give away all our pets, because she was allergic to cats, dogs and yes, even our bunny rabbits. How we cried when they broke the news to us. We begged and pleaded with our parents to give our sister away and let us keep our beloved pets, but to no avail. We were stuck with a little sister in a house with no pets. Our farm yard was so empty without our cats and dogs roaming around and our little rabbit house sat empty.

Because she was the baby and because she was not healthy, Mom and Dad found it difficult to say no to her. It dawned on my brother and I that we could use this to our advantage. Over the years whenever we wanted something from Mom or Dad which required convincing, we would send our sister to ask. This especially worked with Dad, who normally was the strong disciplinarian. If we needed (or wanted) something from him, my brother and I would send in “the spoiled one”. Dad rarely was able to say no to her and so we learned to reap the benefits of that dynamic. In our eyes, it was a win-win situation! If she got into trouble for asking, she was on her own. If Dad said yes to her, we shared in the success. Yes, in many ways, it was good to have “the spoiled one” in our family. Even as adults, this tradition has continued. Recently, she was the one we “sent in” to convince our Mom that it was time to go into a care home.

As we celebrate the spoiled one’s birthday, I can’t believe how the years have flown. As I reflect on our childhood, I am amazed at how many times she was able to talk Mom and Dad into things the rest of us would never have been able to.

So, Happy Birthday, Spoiled One. I’m glad Mom and Dad decided to keep you instead of our pets after all (although I did really miss our dog Rex for a long time). Once you finally quit crying through the night, you turned out to be a wonderful sister. Giving up pets to have a sister . . . it's a good thing!

A Year of Good Things

Well, believe it or not, it has been a year since I started my blog! On June 1, 2010 I promised to write about something happy every week day for one year. Sometimes I had to dig deep to find happiness on a gloomy day. Some days were not happy, but I was always able to find a positive to talk about. Sometimes, I had to fit writing my blog into the end of a very busy day or the early morning prior to a busy day. Somehow I managed to do it, and I think I proved that you can “fool” yourself into being happy just by pretending you are. Along the way, I received many comments and I appreciated each and every one. I am amazed that I have had over six thousand views on my blog! When I check the stats, I find it incredible that people from all over the world have been reading my blog.
I will continue to write in my blog, but not every day. I will try to update it often, and I will continue to find positive things to write about. For those of you in the Prince Albert area, I now have a weekly column in the PA Shopper called (of course) “Through Rose Coloured Glasses”. If you are not in the Prince Albert area, you can access weekly editions of the Shopper at http://princealbertshopper.com. Between my blog and my column, I hope to continue to provide positive and happy thoughts and hopefully create an alternative to the bad news we seem to hear daily.
Looking at life through rose coloured glasses. . . it's a good thing!

Why Good Things Happen To Good People

I came across a book today called "Why Good Things Happen To Good People" by Jill Neimark and Dr. Stephen Post. Neimark is a science journalist, novelist and poet. Post is a bioethicist. They wrote the book together because they believe that giving is good for you. They claim that giving protects your physical and mental well-being. They profess that while you can't change the things that happen to you or the unkindness of others, you can create your own happiness and take care of your health through acts of generosity!

Together, they interviewed dozens of people who had suffered unimaginable fates including paraplegics, Holocaust survivors, and people who had had horrific childhoods. Those survivors who found a way to help others overcame their hardships and lived happier, more fulfilling lives than survivors who were not as generous. After interviewing people who had rebuilt their own lives by giving to others, Neimark and Post are more convinced than ever that we can make our own happiness and the best way to do so is by being generous to others. Being happy by giving to others, even is life has dealt you a difficult blow. . . it's a good thing!

The Brave and The Not So Brave

Sometimes things happen that make you feel braver than others. That happened to me today in the dentist’s office. Those who know me, know that I am not a very brave “go to the dentist” type person, and today was no exception. I had to have some weird dental surgery done (which is another story, but not a happy one so it has no place in this blog). As I was sitting in the waiting room, breathing slowly and convincing myself that everything was going to be ok, a muscular tall man in a Corrections Canada uniform walked into the clinic. The receptionist handed him a form to fill in and he brought it to the waiting area where he sat in the chair next to me. As he filled in the form, I noticed his hands were shaking. I naturally assumed he had just had some type of life-threatening event at the penitentiary and he was still recovering from an adrenal rush which was causing his hands to shake. I was then called into the office and as I sat in the chair waiting for the dentist to come in, I heard the corrections officer being brought into the room next to mine. He said to the dental assistant “I haven’t been to a dentist since the last time I was here”. She replied, obviously looking at his chart, “That was a few years ago”. “Yeah, I know”, he said “I don’t like coming to see you guys.” “Yes, we’ve been known to make grown men cry” she replied, I suspect only half-jokingly. The corrections officer went on “My teeth are probably in really bad shape because it’s been so long, but I keep putting it off.” in a voice that sounded shaky. “Well” she said, let’s have a look. Open your mouth” She then said “No, really, you have to open your mouth so I can have a look”. It was slowly beginning to occur to me that perhaps he had not just had a crisis involving an outraged inmate high on some type of inhalant. Was it possible that this man who was obviously in top physical shape and who deals every day with the worst criminals in our system – people no one else would be brave enough to deal with – is afraid of a little dental work? I found that hard to believe, but he certainly caught my interest and my ears perked up listening for more details. As a side benefit, it took my mind off my own fear.

A while later, I heard the dentist declare that his teeth were fine and he would require a cleaning and nothing more. The dental assistant, obviously having dealt with many children and grown men in her career, said, “OK, this is what I’m going to use on your teeth first, it doesn’t hurt it just kind of vibrates. Hold out your hand and I’ll show you how gentle it is”. A couple seconds, later, she said “C’mon, hold out your hand. I promise it doesn’t hurt”. He obviously allowed her to show him because she said to him, “See, it’s ok” to which he quietly replied “I guess so”. By this time, the Novocain in my mouth was working very well, and that, along the conversation in the next room, was causing me to feel braver and braver by the minute.

In the next room, the dental assistant was still cleaning the teeth of the corrections officer and asked him “You doing ok?” There was silence for a couple beats. Then she said “It’s ok to say no”. Silence again, then a quiet “No”. She chuckled and said “You know what, we are almost done here, I’m sure you will be just fine”. By this time, I had a huge smile on my face, albeit a crooked one because of the freezing. I wondered what the inmates back at the penn would think if they only knew.

My dentist came into my room then and asked me “Are we ready to go in here”. I said “Yes” and thought to myself, “You bet – bring it on. I am probably your bravest patient in the clinic right now”. Realizing that being afraid of the dentist is ok (even if you are a six foot, muscular, athletic corrections officer) . . . it’s a good thing!

A Good Day

I was driving to work this morning when I stopped for a red light in front of a school. A young girl walked across the street holding hands with a young boy who no doubt was her little brother. There was just something nice about this big sister caring for her little brother in that way. They both had smiles on their faces, and they put a smile on my face as I am sure they did for the other driver beside me. The older sister was making sure that nothing happened to her baby brother and he was happy having her take the lead. Somehow this show of love between brother and sister – the two of them walking together hand in hand – started my day on the right track. Looking at the two of them on their way to school as they walked in front of my car, I just knew I was going to have a good day. Taking time to appreciate little things like he love between a little girl and her brother . . . it’s a good thing!

Bringing Joy - One Picture At A Time

The people in the southern US who have survived the many terrible tornadoes this year have lost so much. Many no longer have homes or possessions. While the world has responded with donations and money for shelter, clothing and food, which is of course much needed. However, one person has done an amazing thing. It is a small in comparison with all that has been lost, but it is also huge. Patty Bullion lives in Lester, Alabama, which has escaped the storms of 2011. One day, in the aftermath of the April 27 storm, Patty noticed a piece of paper in the yard of a relative’s home. She picked it up and realized it was an ultrasound picture of a baby. Patty was adopted at the age of two and has no baby pictures of herself, and she immediately knew that she wanted the woman in the picture to have this souvenir back. She then began to look under trees, along roads and in fields and collected more and more pictures. There were old pictures, pictures of grads, weddings. . .so many memories, lost in the winds of the storms. She started a face book page called “Pictures and Documents Found After the April 27, 2011 Tornadoes”. She posted the pictures she had found and invited others to do the same. Eventually over 3,700 pictures were posted. Families who had lost everything began to identify the pictures on her site and gratefully claimed them back. Through these families, Patty now knows that some of the pictures she collected flew over 130 miles. What an amazing person Patty is. She has given back to people some of the memories which were lost and which they will now once again be able to pass on to future generations. However, when they pass on these pictures, as well as the story of the image itself, they will also tell of the journey of the pictures in the tornadoes of 2011 and of the woman who saved and returned them. Special people who go out of their way to make the lives of others just a little better . . . it’s a good thing!

Water Babies

My boys were water babies. They both loved the water and spent hours either in pools or at the lake. We spent many week-ends at the family cabin enjoying sun and water. For them, it didn’t matter if the water was cold or not. That did matter for me, and I spent many hours on the beach, wrapped in a blanket, while they played in the water. Why the stroll down the watery memory lane? I just read an article which said that according to studies done, babies who were allowed to splash around in a pool when they were two to seven months old develop better motor skills – and keep them. These children have better eye-hand coordination and better balance in kindergarten than those who had not. My kids did not swim at such a young age, but I found the article very interesting. The study also showed that babies who swam at an early age establish a strong relationship with their parents. There is no doubt that is true. As parents we spent a lot of time in the water with our kids and created many good memories. Raising water babies . . . it’s a good thing!

Zeus

Last week, my son TK got a puppy – a Rottweiler he named Zeus. We always had a family dog throughout TK’s childhood. Though he always loved the family dog, he always wanted a Rottweiler, and many times tried to talk me into allowing him to have one. I told him I did not want a Rottweiler in my house, that I disliked that breed of dog and that he would have to wait until he had his own home to have a Rottweiler. Well, that is exactly what he did. He now has his own home and, sure enough, a new Rottweiler puppy was in his plan. In fact, renos in his new home have been put on hold so that he can fence his yard for Zeus. TK planned the arrival of his new pet with days off of work so that he could spend time with him. On Saturday, he returned to work for a twelve-hour shift and worried about leaving the puppy alone for that long. He asked if we would “dog-sit” for him, which we did. As I have gotten to know this little dog over the past week, I have slowly but surely been falling in love with him. He is so intelligent that you often only have to teach him something once and he knows it! I think one of his most endearing qualities is how stubborn he is. When TK first tried to walk him on a leash, Zeus showed his dislike for the leash by simply flopping down on the floor and refusing to move (all ten pounds of him)! TK literally dragged him across the floor and he still refused to walk. I secretly thought to myself, “Oh, my son, you so deserve each other!” (Well, ok, not so silently – I mentioned this fact to my son – several times). Zeus has come to know each of us already in one short week, as we have come to know him too. His personality is becoming more apparent as each day goes by. I think we have found a new member for our family. Falling in love with a dog you were sure you were going to hate . . . it’s a good thing!

Drug-Free Pain Relief

“Drug-free pain relief”? Sounds too good to be true, but scientists at the University of Georgia have just released a study claiming just that! And even better is the fact that a natural pain killer is right in your kitchen. Ginger can help soothe the pain of inflamed muscles. Volunteers in the study did bicep curls for eleven days. After the gruelling workout, they were given 2 grams of ginger. The lead researcher said that they found the ginger to be at least as effective as over-the-counter pain relievers. The researchers acknowledged that ginger root has been used for centuries for colds and upset stomachs. Now they believe they have found a new use for it! Finding pain-relief for aching muscles right in your kitchen . . . it’s a good thing!

The Journey

Today my sister and I met with the director of our Mother’s care home. He had asked for a meeting with us to go over Mom’s care plan now that she has been there a couple months and has settled in.
It is a painful process having to place your mom in a special care home. Our hearts ache as her personality and intelligence is robbed by Alzheimer’s disease. The role reversal is difficult to get used to. In our lifetime, our roles have gone full circle. The mother who took care of us when we were children is now becoming the child. Just as she used to meet with our teachers for parent-teacher interviews, now we, her children, are meeting with the people entrusted with her care, to discuss the best plan of action for her. This cruel, unrelenting disease is taking our mother away, leaving a shell of who she used to be with a new personality clouded by vague memories and confusion. We struggle to come to terms with what is happening as she begins to forget her grandchildren, no longer understands finances and is no longer able to live on her own.
How fortunate we are that there are angels among us who step forward with love, patience and understanding to take care of our loved ones when they need it the most. How would families cope if not for the special care aids, LPNs and nurses who know what to do and how to care for our confused loved ones? While we struggle to understand what is happening to our mother, her care-givers wrap their love around her and provide her with a safe environment. All the things that are new to us, they have seen before and handle with caring hands and knowledge. Not only do they care for Mom, but they are teaching us as well about this disease and about growing old with dignity, no matter what. We are so grateful to have a safe place for Mom where she is cared for by these special people. This is a new road for my sister and I, one that we walk with our mother. Luckily, we will be guided by the experience and knowledge of others, and it is not a road we will have to travel alone. Those who care for the elderly and the confused with love, patience and a sense of humour no doubt earn their place in Heaven here on earth. For us, the families of those they care for, they are already angels who have our appreciation, respect and admiration. Angels who care for the elderly and the confused when families are not able to. . . it’s a good thing!

Biking For Brain Power

I love riding my bike. Our city has a wonderful walking/biking trail. There is nothing I love more than riding my bike on that trail on a summer evening, feeling the wind blowing through my hair. What a relaxing way to end a busy day. Now I find out that not only bike riding good for you physically, it is also good for increasing your brain power . . . especially in females! The Spanish National Research Council in Madrid has concluded that walking or biking at least minutes to school gives girls an academic edge. The Council looked over 1,700 test scores from urban teens. They found there is a definite link between exercise and better grades. It was even more pronounced in girls. So ladies, grab your bikes to improve your body and your mind. Biking for brain power . . . it’s a good thing!

The EXTREME Importance of Fun

Dr. E. Christine Moll of Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. has released a study that proves it is “extremely” important to have fun! Baby boomers are known for leading an “all-work and no-play” life style, and Dr. Moll says that has to stop. She says fun and leisure is just as important to one’s well-being as keeping proper cholesterol levels and getting exercise. She asks the question, “Why was the last time you did something just for fun or just for the health of it?” Dr. Moll states that her definition of leisure as anything that brings you personal joy. She says “For our physical, mental, spiritual and cognitive health, leisure is a necessity, not a luxury. It airs out your brain and renews your spirit”. Having fun can be anything from reading a book, going for a walk or enjoying a meal with your family. So, go ahead and have fun, you will be healthier for it. Having fun because it is extremely important . . . it’s a good thing!

That Hat!

Two weeks ago, millions of people watched the Royal Wedding. Those same millions of people also laughed (or recoiled in horror) at the hat Princess Beatrice was wearing. It was designed by Britain's leading milliner, Philip Treacy. He designed many of the hats worn to the royal wedding, but none drew the ridicule that Beatrice's hat did. In fact, he defended the hats, saying he thought Beatrice looked gorgeous at the wedding. While the public dislike for her hat could have been a devastating event in Beatrice's life, it has now become a positive because of a very clever decision on her part. She has taken the notoriety of the hat and created an opportunity to raise funds for UNICEF and Children In Crisis. The hat will go up for sale on eBay soon and it is expected to raise a great deal of money for the charities. Good for Princess Beatrice who obviously believes that when the world hands you a lemon, you make lemonade! Taking a negative and turning it into a positive . . . it's a good thing!

Friday the 13th

If you harbour a fear of Friday the 13th, you have parashevidekatriaphobia. There is really no explanation as to why people fear this date. Even those who fear it have no idea or explanation why they think that way. People just fear this day for no concrete reason - they just do. However, this superstition is widespread. Most hospitals and hotels have no room 13. Many hotels do not have a 13th floor - the floors skip from 12 to 14. Simalirly, some airline terminals do not have a gate 13. President Franklin Roosevelt never travelled on the 13th day of any month. Nor would he host 13 guests. President Herbert Hoover also had a great fear of the number 13, as did Napoleon. Personally, I am ok with Friday the 13th. I have never had anything happen to me that hasn't happen on any other day. Actually, it is sort of exciting to make it through that day without anything bad occuring. Taking the fear of Friday the 13th with a grain of salt . . . it's a good thing!

The Perfect Ice Cream Cake!

Dairy Queen in Toronto has set a new Guinness World Record. The employees constructed the world's largest ice cream cake on Tuesday. Lucky Torontonians were served free slices of the huge creation. The cake consisted of 22,000 pounds of ice cream, sponge cake, icing and oreo crumbs. The old record was set in Beijing in 2006 and it weighed in at 17,637 pounds. The cake was created on site with the first slab of ice cream poured onto a platform, then covered with 40 pound trays of oreos. Icing and sponge cake are added next and the process started over again creating a higher and higher cake. After two hours of serving the huge cake, there was still plenty left. Having your cake - especially a very, very large one - and eating it too . . . it's a good thing!

Wedded Bliss

This has to be the sweetest love story ever! Rose Pollard Lunsway, ninety years old, is shown here marrying Forrest Lunsway on his 100th birthday! Rose and Forrest met in the early 1980 on a blind date at a Seniors centre. They danced the night away. They have been together ever since, but Rose would never agree to marry Forrest. She liked things the way they were. She finally told him that she would marry him on his 100th birthday and he took her up on it. They live in a seniors complex and, with the help of the complex director, they arranged for a secret ceremony. They invited their friends and family to what they thought was a birthday part for Forrest. They walked in to find they had been invited to a wedding! The couple is on their way into the Guinness World Book of Records for being the oldest couple to get married. Have a look at the beautiful couple at this site: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/04/oldest-newlyweds-rose-pollard-forrest-lunsway_n_857312.html?ref=fb&src=sp Knowing that you are never too old to fall in love . . . it's a good thing!

A Long Goodbye

Because of Mary Hart, I have come to realize that I LIKE long goodbyes. Mary is the co-host of ET - a job she has had for 30 years! She joined Entertainment Tonight in 1981, after she herself was interviewed by the show. The producers liked her so much, they decided to offer her the co-host spot and Mary has never looked back. She announced in August, 2010 that she would retire during her 30th year. Retirement date is drawing near and Mary's final show will be on May 20. That means we have had nine months to say good-bye to her and get used to the idea of ET without Mary Hart. I really like this long, slow good-bye. One has plenty of time to get used to the change. It's been nice to see a long chain of entertainers pay special tribute to her. So unlike CNN. I hate how CNN changes its anchors without preparing its viewers for the change. Aaron Brown had his program for years and then one evening he was gone and Anderson Cooper had his own show in Brown's old spot. Don't get me wrong, I really like AC 360 but I would have liked the opportunity to ease into saying farewell to Brown. Now, I'm sort of afraid to get too attached to Anderson. What if they yank and replace him without a warning? No, I like ET's style much better: saying goodbye slow and easy! Having the opportunity to say goodbye months before the actual departure . . . it's a good ting!

Mother's Day Thoughts

I hope that your Mother’s Day was special, whether you are a mother or a child – or both. I think it is important that we celebrate the love we feel and the bond we have. Every daughter has that special connection with their mother, but for some people, it goes beyond the mother-daughter bond. Sometimes, mothers and daughters are each other's best friends. Who could be a more perfect friend than your mother? I love going out to events or shopping, and seeing mothers and daughters out having fun together. I think it is wonderful when I hear someone say they call their Mom two or three times a day, because they have so much to say to each other. Those fortunate women who develop a friendship with their mothers have the best of all worlds - they have a mother with her unconditional love and support and a friend who is fun to be with and shares the same interests, all in one person. Some relationships remain strictly mother-daughter and that is fine. However, the truly lucky daughters are the one who have the good fortune of being best friends with their mom. Enjoying Mother's Day and celebrating our relationships with our mothers . . .it's a good thing!

Harvey Ball

Who can look at a "Happy Face" and not smile? After all these years, after seeing it time and time again, we still love its little yellow face! Over the years, many variations have appeared - from the original yellow face to various colors to pencil-scrawled faces. Have you ever wondered where the Smiley Face came from? Contrary to popular belief, the happy face was not invented by Forrest Gump! It turns out that the original happy face was created in 1963 by Harvey R. Ball, who was a freelance artist in Worcester, Massachusetts. He never copyrighted the iconic symbol and this has resulted in its being in the public domain and it has been used and modified over the years.

Harvey Ball became concerned about the over-commercialization of his Happy Face. He developed the idea of devoting one day a year to smiles and declared the first Friday of October to be World Smile Day. He used his Happy Face as the World Smile Day symbol. That day would be dedicated to smiling at people and performing acts of kindness. The first World Smile Day was held in 1999. The theme that year, and every year since, has been “Do an Act of Kindness. Help One Person Smile”.

After Harvey passed away in 2001, the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation was formed and it continues as the official sponsor of World Smile Day. This day has been celebrated every year in many locations around the world, but nowhere is it more celebrated than in Harvey’s home town. On that day, The Foundations hand-delivers “You’ve Been Smiled” certificates to residents of Worcester who have been nominated by others. The Foundation has now developed a site from which you can send an electronic “You’ve Been Smiled” certificate to anyone in the world. You can also download a free copy of “The Smiley Face Song”! How perfect is it that the smiley face should be used in the pursuit of kindness?

Who cannot love a foundation with a name like “World Smile”? You cannot help but smile just saying it. Thank you Harvey Ball for giving us the Happy Face! How dull our lives would be without it. Putting on a happy face . . . it's a good thing!

Wet and Cold . . . But Not Guilty!

Have you ever felt guilty about something you thought you had done? Don’t you hate that awful feeling in the pit of your stomach? What if you found out that you had not done anything wrong after all – wouldn’t that be a relief? That is perhaps how a man in New York is feeling these days. The man (whose name was not released) was driving his car in New York state, when he was pulled over by the police. To the amazement of the law officers, the man jumped out of the passenger side of the vehicle and ran toward the Hudson River. He reached a bridge and jumped into the river! The river current carried him some 250 feet at which point he was able to grab onto a branch, where he stayed until the police arrived and pulled him out of the water. He explained to the police that he thought there was a warrant out for his arrest. To their amusement, after calling it in the police informed him that there was no warrant out for him at all! (The man was, no doubt, not as amused as the police). Wet and cold but no longer feeling guilty, the man was brought to a nearby hospital for examination and released. Finding out your guilty conscience is actually guilt-free . . . it’s a good thing!

Singin' In The Rain

It rained today. I know some people become depressed when it rains. I don't. I love how clean everything is and how green the grass and trees are after a rain. But more than anything, I love the first rain of the spring - the first one after all the snow is melted. There is a layer of dull dust and dirt on everything after the snow is gone. The newly exposed grass is yellow. The whole world looks gloomy and grimy. Then the rain comes and everything changes. The dust is washed away, the streets are clean, the sidewalks are shiny and the grass is beginning to turn green. The air is fresh. Just like Gene Kelly, pictured here, who is "Singin' In The Rain", I welcome the downpour as it washes away the final remains of winter. Tomorrow, after the rain is over, a new clean, green world will emerge. When the sun comes up, it will shine on clean city streets, renewed trees, growing grass and happy people. Enjoying the cleansing rains of spring . . . it's a good thing!

Election 2011

Last night was an interesting night – to say the least. This election will go down as the one most difficult to predict. Four weeks ago, the thought was that the NDP would lose some of their seats, and that either the Liberals or the Conservatives would form a minority government. What a different a few weeks can make! As amazing as last night was as the results began to come in, the next few weeks and the next four years will be very interesting. Canada has never had such a fervent right-wing majority government or such an ardent left-wing official opposition. These ideologies will no doubt clash in Parliament. Can two parties so far apart in philosophical beliefs find common ground on any issue? Would we even want them to? Perhaps Canadians want the politicians who are representing them to stand firmly on their dogma and tow party lines. Possibly, voters were determined to send politicians to Ottawa who were firmly committed to the beliefs of the party they represent and that may be why the Liberals were so decimated. It just might be that there was no room for centrist politicians in yesterday’s election nor will there be in our new political landscape. This is new territory for us all. The next four years will be interesting, indeed. Keeping an eye on our politicians in Ottawa . . . it's a good thing.

Make Sure You Vote Today

If you think you are not going to bother voting today, turn your tv on and have a good hard look at what is happening around the world. In the Middle East, South America and Africa, people are protesting, demonstrating and being killed in their quest for the freedoms we take for granted. They are literally having to put their lives on the line for the right to vote and the right to live in a democracy. People are tortured and imprisoned by dictators who will do whatever they can to ensure that democracy will not exist in their country. If you have the chance, speak to immigrants who have recently become Canadians. If they will talk about it, ask them to tell you what the horrific experiences they suffered under dictatorships. Ask them how they feel about their newly-found right to vote. They will all tell you, some with tears in their eyes, how fortunate we are to live in a democracy where we can choose our leaders and what a wonderful thing it is to be able to vote for your government every four years. They will also tell you they cannot believe how we take our freedom for granted. Don't for a moment think that they will not be voting - they know far too well what it means to not have the opportunity to vote. So, take a few moments today and exercise your right - and freedom - to vote. Show the world that Canadians are proud to live in a democracy and we all take an active part in deciding who our leaders will be. Rocking the vote . . . it's a good thing!

Royal Wedding

I am not a "royal watcher" nor am I fascinated by their lives. I was absolutely NOT going to get wound up over this wedding. I shook my head in disbelief at the number of people from around the world (many from Canada) who staked their place on the street two or three days prior to the wedding. Many of my friends excitedly planned their night in anticipation of staying up to watch the wedding. I told everyone I was going to bed and that I would watch the re-runs the next day. Which is what I did. However, I have to admit that when I tuned into Canada AM this morning and saw the clips from the "moments", I could almost understand what the hype was all about. I like this Kate. I like her style, her classiness and her beautiful smile. Most of all, I love how confident and strong she is. I hate to admit that I am old enough to say that I remember when Dianna and Charles married. I was never impressed with how Dianna carried herself and how she never seemed to be able to lift her head up. She was always looking down. It made her appear weak. That bothered me all the years that she was a paparazzi favorite - I wanted to yell to her to just hold her head up and stand straight! I'm glad I won't have that problem with Kate. My favorite moment of the wedding? When Harry looked back as Kate was waking in and leaned over to William and said, with a huge smile on his face, "Wait until you see her!". That was a sweet brotherly-love kind of moment. I don't know if the monarchy will survive or not, but if it does, I think William and Kate will bring to it dignity and a quiet grace. Watching a prince marry his true love . . . it's a good ting!

National Day of Mourning

Today I attended the National Day of Mourning flag raising ceremony in our city. Although this is not a happy event and doesn't seem to fit the criteria of my blog, there was a strong and positive feeling among the people in attendance. It felt right that the people lost through job-related injury and illness this year were acknowledged today as each of their names were read out. It is no doubt a comfort to their families to know that their loved ones have not been forgotten. There was a strong resolve among the politicians in attendance to design stronger legislation that will protect the men and women who go to work every day. The men and women today were determined to create safer work sites so that those who have died will not have done so in vain. Today was a reminder that there are still work places that are not as safe as they should be, and that those who have paid the price for unsafe job sites will never be forgotten. Working together to ensure we are all safe at work . . . it's a good thing!

Loving Our Pant Suits

If you look at pictures and paintings of women throughout history, you will find that prior to the twentieth century they are all wearing dresses and skirts, never pants or trousers. What happened in the twentieth century that caused women to start wearing pants? Well, what happened was Coco Chanel!

Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel was born in 1883 in Saumur, France. She was born into a poor working family. At the age of twelve, Coco’s mother died and her father left the family. As a result, Chanel spent the next six years in an orphanage, where she was taught to be a seamstress by trade. I am sure she could not imagine then how her trade would someday make her millions of dollars. In her lifetime, she became famous for her hats, her perfume (Chanel #5), the “little black dress”, her signature cardigan jacket and of course, pants for women.

Chanel worked in a milliner in Paris as a young woman and in 1912 opened her own shop. In 1919, she founded a couture house. She decided it was time to revolutionize woman’s clothing. She began by encouraging woman to wear casual but elegant clothing and to liberate themselves from corsets. Coco Chanel created clothing for woman that was simpler and more practical. Many of her styles were inspired by men’s clothing. Chanel launched a line of casual women’s clothes for sport and leisure. Eventually, she created casual clothes made out of jersey – which until then had been a material used only for men’s underwear. Women loved Coco Chanel’s new clothes, which were comfortable yet attractive. However she is most famous for her controversial (at the time) approach to fashion when she introduced trousers and pant suits for women – something which had never been done before. As someone who wears slacks more often that skirts or dresses, I am grateful for Coco’s vision. Most women have far more pants and slacks hanging in their closets than they do dresses and skirts. Can you imagine Hillary Clinton without her pant suits? How would women have survived the corporate boardroom in the 80’s without their power suits? Because of Coco Chanel’s ground-breaking and rule-busting inspiration, women began to wear comfortable but beautiful clothes. Clothing we take for granted today, such as blazers and pants, were ground-breaking in the 1920’s. Only an influential and confident woman would dare to introduce this line of clothes in her collection.

The 1920’s were a period of liberation for women. It was the decade in which women received the vote in many countries. Women slowly began to work in professions and jobs which had previously been held by men. Coco Chanel’s fashion was a reflection of these social and political changes.

Although Chanel passed away in 1971 at the age of eighty-seven (still working and overseeing the preparation of her new spring collection), the fashion changes she created are still an influence in woman’s clothes. Tomorrow, when you reach in your closet for a pair of slacks or a pant suit, remember to think of Coco Chanel with gratitude and appreciation for her fashion leadership and her vision. Loving your pant suits and slacks . . . it's a good thing!

Toad Detour

A toad detour? Yes, it's true - in Upper Roxborough, Philadelphia, a Toad Detour went into effect for the third year in a row as American toads begin their journey to the Roxborough Reservoir for mating season. Every year, between March and April, thousands of toads awaken from their winter hibernation and begin the dangerous trek across busy highways and roads and face certain death from traffic. One car can kill hundreds of toads crossing the highway. To protect the toads, volunteers have received special permits to close off sections of those streets to enable the toads to cross safely. Volunteers work at the barricades and re-route traffic. Only local traffic is allowed through. Last year, over a hundred volunteers saved thousands of toads and thousands of toadlets (yes, apparently, that is what baby toads are called: toadlets). The offspring of the first toads saved by the volunteers in 2009 are old enough to mate this year and will join in the migration towards the Roxborough Resevoir. I find it incredible that the volunteers were able to convince city officials to block off busy roads and streets in order to save migrating toads. Dedicated volunteers helping Mother Nature . . . it's a good thing!

Helen Beard

Helen Beard is a British tourist on a two week holiday in Orlando, Florida with her family. On Friday, a celebration was held in her honour to recognize her heroic action. While sitting poolside as her family swam, she heard a scream and looked up. To her horror, she saw a one-year-old little girl dangling from the balcony four stories up. She quickly ran to a spot under the balcony. Suddenly, the child could no longer hang on and she let go. Helen was in the right spot and caught the child. The little girl was not seriously harmed, thanks to Helen's quick action. At the ceremony, local officials awarded Helen with the Medal of Merit, which is rarely given to anyone other than law enforcement officers. She was also presented with a Guardian Angel Award, created by the Florida Department of Children and Families especially for her. A true hero, Helen is anxious to get away from the spotlight and back to her life, stating "I did what needed to be done. I didn't want a fuss. Anyone would have done it". She further said, "I just want to get back to the holiday". Doing what needs to be done and getting on with your life . . . it's a good thing!

An Easter Miracle

I have known Alma for many years, but I did not know that she had a very special Easter story until I read it in our local newspaper. On April 8, 1954 a Canadian Air Force plane and a passenger plane crashed in mid-air above Moose Jaw. Everyone on board was killed. One women on the ground was also killed as the wreckage scattered over the city. As the news of the tragedy was reported, Alma had no idea that a card from her brother was on one of the planes and that it would eventually find its way to her. A few weeks after the crash, just before Easter, Alma received a letter. The envelope was stamped "salvaged from a TCA wreck". When she opened the envelope, Alma pulled out a card, or what was left of a card, signed by her brother. It was an Easter card which he had sent Alma several weeks before Easter and it had found its way onto the ill-fated plane. The card itself was singed around the edges and most of it was a brown colour, obviously having survived a fire. What Alma finds even more amazing is that, while part of the card is burned, the flames did not touch the picture of the cross and lilies. Every Easter, Alma is reminded of the card, which she still has, and what she considers her Easter miracle. To this day, lilies are Alma's favorite flowers and can be found in her garden each year. Sharing stories of Easter miracles . . . it's a good thing!

The Class Ring

I love stories with a happy ending - especially if the story spans fifty years! In 1959, Juan Gonzalez lost his class ring while swimming on vacation in the Caribbeans with his family. The ring meant a lot to him and he was very sad to lose it. He thought it was lost forever. Fifty years later, in 2009, a FedEx pilot named Bill Dobbretz had a layover in Puerto Rico. A hobby treasure hunter, Dobbretz took a metal detector and began to search the beach and water. The detector beeped a discovery, and Dobbretz found a class ring! Bill Dobbretz examined his discovery and found Juan's name engraved in the ring and contacted the school's alumni office. Two days later - fifty years after he lost his class ring - Juan Gonzalez received a FedEx package at his home. Unbelievably, Juan had his class ring back, after all these years. Juan's wife of sixty-two years, Carmen, was also amazed at the return of the ring. After all, she said, the ring spent fifty years under water with five hurricanes going through Puerto Rico! Last night, Juan Gonzalez was back at his alma mater, as the guest speaker at the dinner honouring this year's graduating class and the night when they each received their 2012 class ring. He had a very poignant and amazing story to tell them about his own fifty-two year old ring. Stories that end well, even if it takes a lifetime . . . it's a good thing!

Prince Albert Poets

I love to support local talent - musical, visual and written. I attend many local concerts, art shows and author readings. It is important that we celebrate the creativity of people in our own community. I never fail to be amazed at the calibre and quality of our homegrown talent. Last night I went to a poetry reading by two very brilliant poets who happen to be friends of mine. Both have published books of their poetry. Lynda Monahan read from her latest book, which is not yet published, "Red Shoes In The Snow". Lynda is an amazing poet. Her words draw you into her world as she writes about the pain of losing her mother as a young girl and losing her brother as a young adult. She wrote a poem for a lifelong friend who passed away last year, regretting that she did not write it for him when he was alive. An important lesson taught through her prose: make sure to tell the people you love how you feel. Don't wait until it is too late. Veryl Coghill read from her new book, also not yet published. The poems in her book were about her husband, Mark. Mark and Veryl separated after many years of marriage. Two years after their separation, Mark was told he had terminal cancer. Veryl brought Mark back into her home, into what had been their home when they were married and with their two children, nursed and took care of Mark. He died in that home on Christmas Day, 2009, laying in his bed overlooking the river, a view he loved. Veryl's poetry is about the pain of losing Mark, first through separation then through death. Mark and I were very close friends. Veryl's words brought him back to life for me and reminded me of the wonderful, loving person he was. Mark will remain alive and vibrant through his wife's poetry. His sense of humour, his love of family, his passion for life and his artistic ability are sealed forever in Veryl's poetry. His children, only in their teens when he died, will come to know their father better through those words. Two amazing women with amazing poetic abilities who joined together to share their poetry . . . it's a good thing!