I’m excited to share that a podcast I worked on has launched! The Exceptional Caregivers Life features real and compassionate conversations about the highs and lows of caring for individuals with disabilities and complex needs. Created by Surrey Place’s Family Advisory Council and hosted by members Liz Phipps and Wendy Robertson, our podcast features stories ofContinue reading “The Exceptional Caregivers Life”
Category Archives: gratitude
Awards Season
We all need recognition sometimes, as it boosts confidence, motivation and self esteem. It’s Sunday night and T is taking a bath while I’m relaxing with the Oscars. They just handed the first award to Kieran Culkin for Supporting Actor and he gave a joyful speech. Oscars night has changed since my 20s when friendsContinue reading “Awards Season”
At Age 10, We Threw Our Son his First Birthday Party
Our little guy is 10! 10, double digits, how is this possible?! It was just yesterday that he was learning to walk, we had just started potty training and I was counting with one hand the number of words he could say. T had his first-ever birthday party on Saturday at Skyzone Trampoline Park. I’veContinue reading “At Age 10, We Threw Our Son his First Birthday Party”
His First Real Sleepover
A weekend in December gave T his first taste of a beloved childhood tradition. As a parent, I wish for T to enjoy all the common childhood experiences, such as camping, birthdays and sleepovers. He had his first “sleepover” two summers ago at his grandparents’ cottage. He slept in a tent outside with his AuntContinue reading “His First Real Sleepover”
Window to His Soul
Art is healing, inspiring, a form of self expression and for caregivers, a glimpse inside their children’s thoughts. Before Christmas break, T’s teacher sent home his fall school work, which included his journal. This past week, I started reading his daily journal entries and they are a delight. I remember my very first journal, aContinue reading “Window to His Soul”
You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile
Christmas was full of relaxation and melancholy. We kept plans to a minimum – family dinner on Christmas Eve and dinner with friends tonight – and otherwise, lazy days at home. On Christmas, I opened my eyes at 7 am and T’s head was poking through our door like a ferret. I quickly shut myContinue reading “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile”
Lazy Weekend
I’m on staycaytion the next two weeks and my goal to do nothing got off to a wonderful lazy start. I stayed in PJs all weekend and binged Abbott Elementary – hilarious and highly recommended. I told T he’s going to daycare during the break and he better not screw me over by getting sickContinue reading “Lazy Weekend”
Miss Americana, Taylor Swift
T and I celebrated the hubby’s birthday with a night out at Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated Eras Tour show in Toronto. We had purchased the tickets, nosebleed seats, last Fall and were lucky to get them at face value. The hubby’s sister visited us for his birthday week and it was nice they got toContinue reading “Miss Americana, Taylor Swift”
Story of My Life
I made it home just in time for a special unexpected bedtime routine with T. With thanks to the hubby, I had a rare weeknight out to support colleagues at an event. As I texted the hubby on the subway ride home, he let me know it was a rougher night; T was very disregulatedContinue reading “Story of My Life”
Running for Life: “I’m Not a Quitter”
Thanksgiving is quieter and simpler this year. Two years ago, I hosted dinner for Ma and my sister; the latter had just moved in with us after receiving her terminal cancer diagnosis. Last year, Ma was at the Philippines for an extended visit and I don’t remember if we even did anything for Thanksgiving. SoContinue reading “Running for Life: “I’m Not a Quitter””
Cooking for the Soul: The F*ck Off Cholesterol Edition
When my family doctor asked to meet about my bloodwork, I knew I had to start taking cholesterol meds. He let me know last summer that my cholesterol was high and we tried to lower it through changes to nutrition. I’m a fairly healthy person – eat, sleep and exercise mostly well – so I’mContinue reading “Cooking for the Soul: The F*ck Off Cholesterol Edition”
The Stories We Tell
Stories inform, inspire, and illuminate life’s complexities and contradictions. Earlier this week, our team at work participated together in a learning and reflection activity to pay respect to National Truth and Reconciliation Day, which is observed on September 30. We watched a short documentary that featured interviews with survivors of the residential school system. MyContinue reading “The Stories We Tell”
“Up My Butt!”
This is a wholesome and positive post, I promise. Two weeks into the new school year 4, T and our family are settling into more structured days. Some good news, T still has his Child and Youth Worker support for academic subjects. It is very rare for a 4th grader to have this support andContinue reading ““Up My Butt!””
Riding the Rollercoaster of Life
The build up often outlasts the thrill themselves, but boy, are they worth it sometimes. Our annual Labour Day weekend camping plans were thwarted by bad weather and we kept it local and chill instead. We took T to Canada’s Wonderland on Saturday, a beautiful day, our first visit in two years. Going in, weContinue reading “Riding the Rollercoaster of Life”
The Tumbles and Polish of Sea Glass
Picking up treasures on pebbled shores reflected the journey through life’s imperfections. One highlight from our visit to T’s grandparents in New Brunswick was picking sea glass. Wonderopolis describes sea glass as pieces of glass smoothed over time by the tumbling of water, waves, and sand. As glass soak in salt water and get tossed againstContinue reading “The Tumbles and Polish of Sea Glass”
Swimming at Nigadoo Falls: An Off the Beaten Path Oasis in New Brunswick
Often times, the best activities are those known to the locals. At the top of T’s list to do during our annual summer visit to his grandparents in Beresford was to swim at Nigadoo Falls. It’s a beautiful, rocky and fresh water spot tucked in the woods, off the unassuming Rue du Moulin in Nigadoo,Continue reading “Swimming at Nigadoo Falls: An Off the Beaten Path Oasis in New Brunswick”
Born This Way
We kicked off T’s summer by marching in Canada’s largest Pride parade and championed freedom to information. I have a leadership role on my work’s Pride employee group and was part of the team that organized our march. For the second year, we chose the theme of intellectual freedom and reused signs from last year,Continue reading “Born This Way”
Goal Posts
Grade 3 is in the history books and we’re kicking summer off with soccer. T has recently developed a love for soccer. Thanks to his CYW, he had his own soccer ball and played soccer at recess with a group of boys. There were bumps along the way, as T gets upset when he doesn’tContinue reading “Goal Posts”
Going Off the Deep End
T loses control of his emotions on a regular basis, but today, it was for the best and proudest reasons. The outdoor city pool opened this weekend and it’s a summer tradition for us to spend time there. It’s a small plain pool but it is special place for us, because it saved our pandemicContinue reading “Going Off the Deep End”
The Joy in the Meander
Slow down, take the detours, be open to the unexpected, stay present, soak in the moment. We all end up at a finish line, so what’s the rush? It’s a valuable lesson I’ve learned as T’s parent. Our family recently helped celebrate the 18th birthday of a friend’s son. It seemed like yesterday that heContinue reading “The Joy in the Meander”
My Life With T 