T enjoyed trick or treating with friends this year. Halloween fell on a Friday and we stayed up later without worry of school or work the next day. T dressed up as a child being abducted by an alien and I chuckled at his grandparents asking who the alien was when we sent them aContinue reading “Thriller Night”
Tag Archives: gratitude
A Strong Sense of Justice
At a parent-teacher interview a few years ago, T’s Grade 1 teacher said T has a strong sense of justice. Despite the challenges we navigate with T, his general sense of right and wrong, and doing the right thing and speaking up when he feels he or others are wronged, gives us hope he willContinue reading “A Strong Sense of Justice”
Regrouping: Finding Resilience in the Caregiving Journey
A subtraction worksheet drove me into a meltdown with our neurodiverse 10-year-old. I had an early start to a typical Tuesday work day, followed by a two-hour evening meeting of a Family Advisory Council that I volunteer with. After the meeting, I was hungry, brain-dead and just wanted to crawl into bed. But math homeworkContinue reading “Regrouping: Finding Resilience in the Caregiving Journey”
From One Caregiver to Another on FASD Awareness Day
September 9 is recognized annually around the world as FASD Awareness Day and to raise awareness of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. This year, I was honored to be part of Surrey Place’s FASD Day event this recent Sunday. The hubby and T also attended the event and T spent most of the event playing withContinue reading “From One Caregiver to Another on FASD Awareness Day”
Good Things Are Worth the Wait
2 siblings, 2 generations of cousins, and T’s 1st summer tall enough to go on the biggest of the big roller coasters at Canada’s Wonderland. The hubby’s sister and her daughter, T’s beloved cousin, A, visited us over Labour Day weekend. They were in town from New Brunswick to watch the Dua Lipa concert onContinue reading “Good Things Are Worth the Wait”
Full Moon at the Bay
We celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary this weekend, halfway through our two-week visit to T’s grandparents in New Brunswick. It was peak full moon – sounds about right 🤣 – and we enjoyed a morning barefoot walk on sandbars during low tide. The breeze, cold salt water, soft sand and gentle waves were soothing. WeContinue reading “Full Moon at the Bay”
Sarang Kitchen: A Restaurant For Minds of All Kinds
Delicious Korean fried chicken with a side of inclusiveness for neurodiverse people and dogs. That was the impressive, yummy and heartwarming experience we enjoyed at Sarang Kitchen, the first social enterprise and restaurant in Toronto that welcomes and employs neurodiverse people, including autistic individuals. I’ve been wanting to visit this place since it opened inContinue reading “Sarang Kitchen: A Restaurant For Minds of All Kinds”
“Every Day is a Blessing”
T snuck up on me while I was reading on the couch and with a mischievous grin, he said earnestly, “Every day is a miracle.” I still chuckle at this exchange and I also see the wisdom, intended or not, in his innocent words. Yesterday morning, I attended the funeral of a family friend andContinue reading ““Every Day is a Blessing””
The Hours: Lessons from a Windswept Pine at Killbear
The windswept pine tree on sunset rocks at Killbear Provincial Park is beloved by visitors. Over 100 years old, standing on rocks over 2 billion years old, it has witnessed many untold moments. I’m thankful that we are a part of each others’ passage in time, from the hubby and my first visit before TContinue reading “The Hours: Lessons from a Windswept Pine at Killbear”
Canada Day Fireworks in Timmins
We kicked off T’s summer with our annual family roadtrip and headed back to Northern Ontario. I planned this 7-day trip in April. As the days grew closer, the excitement was palatable in our home. On our first day, on Monday, we drove 4 hours from Toronto to Sudbury, making a pitstop at Killarney. WeContinue reading “Canada Day Fireworks in Timmins”
Driving Mr. T
3,500+ car rides together. That was my best guess when I tried to quantify how many drives T and I have had in our 9 years as a family. We’re celebrating our 10th Fathers Day today. Nine years flew by. One minute, the hubby and I were meeting him for the first time at hisContinue reading “Driving Mr. T”
When a Child Loses A Pet
Our sweet Lanaya unexpectedly left us this week, the first time T has experienced the loss of a pet. Lanaya was a wonderful part of our family for 10 years and for almost all of T’s life. She came into the hubby and my life on Canada Day 2015, when we adopted her and ourContinue reading “When a Child Loses A Pet”
It’s All in the Details
An important lesson that school teaches kids is that details and presentation matter; and they help move average towards excellent. Two weeks ago, we learned that T had to complete a diorama about a Canadian region of his choice and accompanied by a research report and presentation. My first thought was “What fresh hell isContinue reading “It’s All in the Details”
This Grateful Heart
When chaos disrupts my peace, gratitude helps reframe my focus to face the challenges ahead. On our recent flight home from a wonderful family vacation in Mexico, T had a full-blown meltdown during boarding. The hubby had deleted his favourite game from the phone, which I had advised the hubby against giving to T beforehand.Continue reading “This Grateful Heart”
On the Edge of Saturday Night with Kylie Minogue
An ice storm couldn’t keep us away from a night 16 years in the waiting with pop queen Kylie Minogue. The Australian icon brought her Tension Tour to North America, with her first stop at Toronto’s Scotiabank Centre on March 29. The weather was miserable; freezing rain and ice storms further north of the city.Continue reading “On the Edge of Saturday Night with Kylie Minogue”
The Deadly Walk
Writing helps me process my world. Reading T’s school writing work, I see he might’ve done the same. As an ice storm descended in our city, I settled into my Friday evening and noticed an artwork that T had created in his school folder. Upon closer inspection, it was an image of what looked likeContinue reading “The Deadly Walk”
Another Lap Around the Sun
I celebrated my 44th birthday weekend with my two favourite guys on a rare Saturday night out at a glow-in-the-dark trampoline park. We piggybacked on one of T’s peers’ birthday party. It started at 8:30 when I am usually getting ready for bed. 😂 I enjoyed sitting on a couch watching T have a blast.Continue reading “Another Lap Around the Sun”
March Break in Mexico
For March Break last week, our family returned to Cancun, Mexico and had a blast. The week leading up to the trip, T’s excitement was palatable. On the Friday before the break, I picked T up from school at lunch, to let him relax in the afternoon, as we had to get up at 2Continue reading “March Break in Mexico”
The Exceptional Caregivers Life
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”
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”
My Life With T 