There's an old African proverb, popularized in the West by Hillary Clinton: "it takes a village to raise a child." It takes a village to raise a child. It's a beautiful sentiment, really, this idea that community and connectedness is vitally important both to the healthy and happy development of … [Read more...]
Having Needs Met Unexpectedly
Before Christmas, I wrote about being the unicorn - about being a bit of luck for someone else, and how these kinds of kindnesses can keep circling on the breeze... if you keep your eyes open, you never know what might fall on you. I have no doubt this is a true phenom because it happens to me all … [Read more...]
Wife Approved
Being one of the two dads who write for UrbanMoms, it would be difficult to function in this environment, however virtual, without some semblance or history of successful mixing with women. While classically a ‘guy’s guy’ - sports talk, steak eating, scotch drinking, nut scratching - I have always … [Read more...]
THANK YOU NOTES
How often do you receive a thank you note by mail? It's rare these days when it's so easy to shoot off an email ...and yes, we're being responsible and green. But I've been taught the importance of a proper thank you. My mother-in-law has always written heartfelt notes even when there is no special … [Read more...]
my indian name is foot-in-mouth
The other morning my daughter came into my room to find me still in bed "What is the matter, momma?" she said. I don't ever stay in bed, especially on a school morning. I was feeling a bit off. I had had to make a speech the night before at a party for someone really important to me. But I had … [Read more...]
It was a good day.
Despite the weather and the crazy slushy crap that fell out of the sky all night and me having to shovel the heavy, wet snow, today was a good day. It started off at 4:00 a.m. yep. with little guy talking in his sleep and hubby coughing. Awesome. But I've learned to not fight it. I always figure … [Read more...]
Celebrating 30 Years of Friendship
I often look at my children as they grow and am conscious of the people in their lives, especially the constant ones. The forever kind of folks like my daughter's pal across the street. They have been buddies since toddlerhood. And my teenage son whose best friend since grade 1 is a regular fixture … [Read more...]
a perfect day
In an effort to give experience this year rather than material gifts, my dear friend Sam and I gave our children another famous JORO outing. (These have ranged from AGO, ROM, Science Center, Beaches, cottage, toboganning,skating and 10 days in Jamaica together) It was on Thursday and it was 15 hours … [Read more...]
My Good People and The Abundance of Friendship
I have a bevy of excellent neighbourhood peeps. Since the less-than-warm temps of October, and with the suddenly-dark afternoons since turning the clocks back a few weeks ago, the leisurely summertime sit-downs on park benches with my peeps while we watch the kids play, sometimes with a cup of … [Read more...]
That Time I Picked Up an Old Lady at the Grocery Store.
I met this lady the other day. I was checking out at the grocery store, and Ava Scarlett was busying herself pressing buttons on the Coke machine close to the exit sign. I stuffed my receipt into my wallet, and watched as an elderly lady bent down to pat her on the head, looking around to see who … [Read more...]