Likening myself to the magical sighting of the jolly old man in the red suit, it appears to be a rare occurrence for me to put words to my dear old blog these days. But as Santa and his reindeer begin their magical journey across the universe, it seemed appropriate to take a moment to put pen to paper, so to speak.
The holiday season brings with it, a myriad of feelings. It can be a stressful time, attempting to balance all the expectations this time of year seems to bring.
But beyond all of the chaos, it is a time of reflection and a season of tradition.
There are traditions carried out to honour generations who came before us, those we have created through the journey of raising our children, and newer ones adopted as our children become adults with their own families.
My grandson honouring the tradition of placing his Dad’s ornaments on the tree❤️
The common thread created in those traditions, seems to be the nostalgia they bring to mind and the stories shared, weaving together past, present and future generations.
There may be loved ones no longer physically seated at our tables but they will forever hold space in our hearts as long as we continue to share their stories. Their traditions carry on from generation to generation; their spirits remain..
Wishing you & yours the very best of the holiday season.
Whenever possible , I rarely say no to travel. As the years tick by at an alarming speed, I recognize both time and ability are at a premium.
And so, when a dear friend reached out last year to ask if I might be interested in joining a group of 9 other women to hike the West Highland Way in Scotland, my immediate response was, YES!
Our fab group of 10 phenomenal women!
Less than 2 weeks out, our journey begins in Glasgow, where we will spend 3 nights to acclimatize to the time change, do a little sightseeing and brush up on our Scottish brogue!
Hitting the trail on April 30th, we will begin a 7 day hike along the West Highland Way, our final destination Fort William. Here is a breakdown of what the hike for us looks like:
Day 1 – Milngavie – Drymen (19.3km)
Day 2 – Drymen – Rowardennan (24.14km)
Day 3 – Rowardennan – Inverarnan (22.53km)
Day 4 – Inverarnan – Tyndrum (19.31km)
Day 5 – Tyndrum – Kinghouse (28.97km)
Day 6 – Kinghouse – Kinlochleven (14.14km)
Day 7 – Kinlochleven – Fort William (24.14km)
Total distance, if my body allows, 152.53km.
To be honest, there have been moments when I look at those numbers and say to myself , “Girl, what are you thinking?” Just shy of turning 64, I am no stranger to my share of foot issues, achy joints & sore hips.
But then I remind myself, it’s not about the numbers. It’s about the incredible opportunity to challenge myself, to connect with like minded people on and off the trail, and to take in what I have no doubt, will be an incredible journey.
Of course my goal is to complete the trail in its entirety, but I will tackle this adventure just as I would any other challenge of this nature. I will approach it with a sense of optimism and excitement, but also with grace and humility for what my body allows me to do. I am in competition with no one but myself.
This is the wisdom that comes with age; knowing when it’s time to just head to the pub!
Although I doubt I will have time to write in the midst of this journey, I do hope to give you an update when I return!
For the last few days, we have been watching the 4 Nations Hockey Tournament consisting of Canada, U.S., Sweden & Finland.
Anyone who knows anything about Canada, knows that hockey is our most beloved and celebrated sport. Young Canadian kids learn to lace up skates from a very young age, and for many, the dream of one day playing at the NHL level.
It comes as no surprise that the most anticipated game to watch in Canada, is when we play the U.S. A rivalry that dates back to the beginning days of the NHL, they are the team, we Canadians, most want to beat.
With high hopes of an exciting game last night, it began with resounding boos from the spectators as the US national anthem played. If that wasn’t bad enough, I watched in utter disbelief and disgust as gloves were dropped and 3 consecutive fights broke out, prior to the puck even being dropped.
I felt like I was watching a gang of thugs, rather than sport we so dearly love as a country.
To add further insult to injury, let’s back up to the beginning of the tournament, when team captains of the 4 Nations were introduced.
I found it very interesting that the young man who proudly wears a maple leaf jersey outside of this tournament, who stands respectfully before every game listening to the national anthem of Canada, who plays his heart out for a Canadian team, was met with vehement boos, as he stepped on the ice in the jersey of his home country.
The flip side is the Canadian player, who spends his season wearing the “C” playing for a U.S. team. Quite honestly, he is not all that fondly thought of by many Canadian fans when he wears the black and gold jersey. Yet, all was seemingly forgotten once he donned the jersey of our beloved country, for he was met with cheers and applause.
Listen, I get it. We are pissed with U.S. It’s become very personal.
But sport, in my opinion, is not the place for politics.
Come on people, we are better than this.
We cannot succumb to the hate spewing, egotistical orange asshat to change who we are as a nation.
We need to rise above and show respect to the athletes who have spent a lifetime to compete in their sport and in this case, to compete in the jersey of their beloved country.
We are a nation of resilience, we are a nation of strength and tolerance and peace.
We are better than stooping so low as to boo another person’s national anthem.
Let’s show the world what it means to be Canadian.
A few years ago, I overheard an American DJ being asked what the difference was between Canada and the US. He quipped the following quote which apparently (in part) originated from Dustin Hoffman:
Canada is like the nice family living over a biker bar.
Which, in light of this week’s events, has become the jump off point for this post.
Barely two weeks into his lease, the current manager of the biker bar has created a whole new level of chaos, to which the nice family is not receiving very favourably.
To be honest, they are quite frankly, feeling a little verklempt! Okay, they are downright pissed!
In spite of years of negotiations to ensure both the biker bar patrons and the nice family living above were feeling adequately heard, not to mention countless acts of good will on both sides to reassure their relationship was solid and of great value, the new biker bar manager feels the right to break promises made.
He has even gone so far as suggesting it would be best to just take over the apartment.
Well, you can imagine the response from the nice family. They are not actually feeling very nice at all.
Now let me say that the nice family has developed some wonderful relationships with patrons in the biker bar. They recognize that not all of the patrons agree with the mindset of the manager.
Because of those relationships, and the wonderful history shared, the nice family would be absolutely heartbroken to have to break their lease.
With 30 days notice given, the nice family is hoping they can once again live harmoniously with the patrons downstairs but also recognize that the new manager is a bit of a shyster!
He has a track record of spewing falsehoods & hatred, all in the name of making the biker bar great again. The nice family is not buying his rhetoric!
All kidding aside, this is a very serious matter. Whatever your political alignments are, this madness needs to stop before irreparable damage is done.
Let’s hope we can all stand together for what is important. To continue to live side by side with mutual respect and the ability to celebrate our differences as we have done for so many years.
The time of year when many vow to eat better, exercise more, achieve goals, make travel plans, be kinder, be smarter, get more sleep, find a better work/life balance. 
The list goes on and on. It can be enough to make our heads explode!
I have mentioned in previous “New Years” posts, that I am not one to make resolutions. I tend to adhere to the, I am a constant work in progress, theory. I try to continue to learn and to grow, often finding myself humbled by how much I still have to learn.
Which leads me to a question and the title of this post.
At what age do we start believing we are enough?
It seems to be an ongoing question we ask ourselves, perhaps this question is key to our growth as humans.
So here’s my take on it, as I approach 2025 and my 64th journey around the sun.
If you are a human who attempts to put their best foot forward, who tries to show up for those who matter in their life, who works towards making some sort of dent in helping to make this world a kinder and more equal one to exist in, I believe you are enough.
As a spouse, a mom, a grandmother, a sister, a friend, a work colleague, and just a good old human being, I have come to understand on many occasions, that I don’t always quite hit the mark. Goodness knows I try, but I am learning that it is okay to be perfectly imperfect.
With age comes wisdom I guess! With wisdom comes the ability to recognize that some days I do better than others. And that’s okay.
The barrage of being enough seems a constant challenge. Know that you are not alone in feeling that you may not always hit your mark! We are all a work in progress!
As we turn over a new year, I wish you moments of reflection to determine what growth you may seek. I wish you joy and laughter and love. Remember to congratulate yourself on all that you have accomplished for yourself and those that you love.
May you continue to grow in whatever capacity is worthy of your efforts.
Family Day originated in Alberta in 1990, but is not observed in all Canadian provinces. Perhaps the provincial government of the day felt we Ontarians were missing out on a holiday observed by our western provinces, thus jumping on board in 2008.
Whatever the reason, family day is meant to be a day in recognition of the importance of home & family.
Which got me to thinking…
Family comes to us in various forms over the course of our lifetime.
There is the family we are born into and there is the family we choose along that winding road we call life.
Family are the people we turn to for all things. To celebrate milestones, to seek guidance, to offer respite, to receive comfort, to share joy. To lend an ear, offer a shoulder to cry on, or to give an honest opinion when we really need one.
It doesn’t matter who you deem to be family, only that you have family in your life who offer you a sense of belonging.
For isn’t that the true definition of what family is? A sense of belonging.
And so, as I reflect on those people in my life I consider to be family, know that I hold each & every one of you deep in my heart. I am ever so grateful to have you in my life.
On this day & every day, I want you to know, not only how much you mean to me, but how much you enrich my life by just being in my circle and giving me a sense of belonging .
It’s that time of year again folks, the start of brand new year, and a time when humans all over the world vow to do or be better in some capacity. 
Eating better, drinking less, finding more work/life balance, exercising more, travelling more, being kinder, being more tolerant, being more caring. The list is endless. 
Although I have never been a fan of making resolutions, even I will admit there is something refreshing about turning over a calendar and beginning a new year.
Which brings me to the reason for this post and one of my favourite sayings from the wonderful series, Ted Lasso.
Be a Goldfish.
Ted takes us on a journey of what it looks like to be a good human. To have integrity, to chose positive words and actions when it comes to the treatment of other people. He touches the lives of each and every person who has the good fortune to come into contact with him.
Good, bad or indifferent, it matters not.
Ted is an eternal optimist, definitely a glass half full kind of guy. 
And so, when one of his players feels the frustration of missing an opportunity on the field, followed by a fellow teammate calling him out, only adding to his frustration, Coach Lasso calls the irritated player over and asks him a rather odd question. 
Do you know what the happiest animal on earth is?
Looking at his coach rather perplexed, Ted goes on to explain that the happiest animal on earth is a goldfish, because they only have a ten second memory. 
Huh?
I’ll just let that percolate for a wee moment.
In a world where judgement and unkind words are thrown around carelessly and often anonymously, without concern for how they may impact another human, when another persons actions feel more like an attack than encouragement, it can be easy to react negatively and to lash out.  
Be A Goldfish.
Thanks for that little nugget Ted, and the hundreds of other wonderful moments written into this character and series!
Be A Goldfish scene from Ted Lasso
Wishing you a very happy new year. May 2024 bring you all that you wish for. 
As always, thank you so much continuing to read my little musings. 
As we race towards the finish line of this holiday season, it seems a good time to pause and reflect for just a moment.
So many of us have such high expectations as to what this time of year should look like. The reality is, not many of us fall into the picture perfect category, in spite of our best efforts.
And so, with that in mind, here is my wish for you & yours this holiday season.
I hope you find yourself surrounded by those you love, whether they are physically present or with you in spirit, may your heart be full of love.
I wish you precious moments of absolute joy. The squeal of delight from a little one, a shared belly laugh, a quiet moment to just breathe, may you find joy in whatever makes your heart sing.
I wish you stories to reflect on, both past & present. May you share laughter and tears in recalling these memories and recognize the importance of both remembering them and creating new ones for generations to come.
I wish you patience. The patience to just let the chaos happen & the patience to accept the not-so-perfect moments, for I guarantee, they will!
Lastly, I wish you the grace to take a moment and give thought and understanding to this precious time spent with those you find in your company this holiday season.  There can be no greater gift than the gift of time. Time is fleeting and so very precious.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and holiday season.
As many of us Canadians find ourselves sitting around a table this weekend, celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends, we will most likely take a moment to give thought to what we are grateful for.
In the dictionary, Gratitude is defined as the quality of being thankful; a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
I liken gratitude in the same category as wisdom.
With each passing year, we have the opportunity to collect a little more life experience, thus filling our hearts with as much love as we possibly can, and our minds with a little more wisdom we may have gathered along the road of life.
With gratitude, comes more wisdom, with wisdom, comes more gratitude.
The longer the road, the more grateful I feel.
I hope that you are surrounded by loved ones and friends, feeling a sense of gratitude for everyone and everything that is good in your life.
Have you ever given thought to the number of people we cross paths with in our lifetime and the impact they may have in doing so?
Some we may only meet for a brief moment in time, some ebb and flow in and out of our life over the years, some are a constant for the duration of our time here on earth.
It is in the crossing of paths we feel the impact of that person touching our life, for however long that may be.
I was recently reminded of this kind of impact through a long-lost fellow classmate, someone I had not seen in 40+ years.
Allow me explain.
In May 2020, my graduating year from high school was planning a 40th reunion. Unfortunately, Covid put an abrupt halt to those plans, but after 2 1/2 years of rescheduling numerous times, in October 2022, we finally managed to get a date on the calendar.
Thus our 40+2 reunion happened.
I feel so fortunate to have had a very positive experience in high school. I had a wonderful group of friends and a solid place to fall while navigating my teen years. I recognize this is not the case for everyone.
What I find most interesting in having the opportunity to reunite as adults, thus crossing paths once again, is to listen to everyone’s stories and experiences, how they perceived life in those formative teen years and of course, where life has taken them.
As adults, the differences &/or misconceptions we may or may not have felt as teenagers, all but fade away as we share laughter and stories of our memories and experiences of those days we spent together oh so long ago.
Class of 79/80 represented!
While in the midst of planning our reunion, one of our committee members shared with us that sadly, one of our former high school classmates had just been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.
His journey & his openness to share his experience, is largely what prompted this post.
Peter Bacon was a talented musician, remembered by anyone who attended our high school in that era. To be honest, I didn’t know Pete all that well in those days, our paths didn’t cross a whole lot in our social circles, but I certainly knew who he was. He was that cool guy, much too cool for the likes of me, who blew us away with his talent, as he cranked out tunes on the piano during our Folk Club concerts.
Iconic pic of Pete doing what he loved most, playing his heart out during a Folk Club Concert Photo Credit – OCVI Acta Ludi ’78/’79
Until recently, I knew even less of what Pete’s life had become beyond that era.
But it seems our paths were destined to cross once more, through his candid and open attitude in sharing his challenging journey.
What struck me most in every message he shared, in spite of the diagnosis he was facing, was his positive attitude, his never-ending sense of optimism, his immense gratitude for each and every day he was gifted, and for all of the love bestowed upon him.
Sadly Peter lost his fight with his cancer on May 10, 2023. A few weeks after his death, Peter’s family extended an open invitation to share in his Celebration of Life, live-streamed from Cabos, Mexico, where Pete resided and performed for the past number of years.
I found myself opening my computer and listening to his family and friends honouring his life, learning so much about the classmate I once knew briefly, so many years ago.
I learned of a man who lived his life doing what he loved most, entertaining & touching the lives of people who had the opportunity to hear his music. His smile, his goofy faces, his love for music and his positive energy shone through in every picture, every video and every person that spoke about him.
As his Celebration of Life drew to a close, I closed my computer and found myself uttering, “WOW”, out loud. Although Pete’s life was taken much too soon, I couldn’t help but think what a full & glorious life he lived.
Peter, thank you for inadvertently and perhaps even unknowingly, meandering back across my path. Thank you for reminding me how very precious life is and that regardless of the challenges we are facing, there is joy to be found in each and every moment we are gifted.
I wish your family and those closest to you, lighter hearts in the days ahead, as they move forward without your physical presence. May they find peace in knowing you were surrounded in love, and clearly left an impact on each and every life you touched. I hope wherever you are, you are have found yourself a piano, once again basking in the sharing of your joyous gift of both music and love.
We can never know the impact we may make in crossing paths with people as we make our way through life. I encourage you to carefully & lovingly leave your footprint in the most positive way possible.
I leave you with one of Pete’s inspiring videos he shared, post brain surgery & in the midst of treatment. His attitude inspires me and I have no doubt he will forever be held in the hearts of all who loved him. Play on my friend!
Life After 50 