On Family

This past weekend in Alberta, we celebrated a unique holiday - Family Day. While every day should be 'family day', too often in our busy lives, we forget those who should mean the most to us - our families. I had the unique opportunity to share some wonderful family time and it made me appreciate just how much of a gift they can be in our lives.

We celebrated my father's 80th birthday this weekend - and it was all the more special because of the difficult year he has had this year with his health. But his sparkling wit and ready smile are back and was nice to again be able to share a meal and some laughs and even a few memories as we made a few new ones. Thank you Dad (and Mom!) for always being there for me and especially for teaching me the strength of family.

Enjoyed a different group of family the following day. It was a bit of a bittersweet get-together as we all joined to wish my cousin's son farewell as he left for his military posting in Afghanistan. Graham is just a little younger than my own son and it's difficult to reconcile this 'mostly' serious young man with the boy I remember from not long ago. I've watched him grow and turn into a young man whom I am proud to know. Good luck Graham, keep safe, and come home to us soon.

As my own family grow and moves on with their lives, we find less time to get together - but there will always be a home for them in my heart. I'd like to leave them, and you, with some words of wisdom from a very smart bear: "If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together.. there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart.. I'll always be with you." Winnie the Pooh (A. A. Milne)