Baby Eliza

52 weeks in a year, times 61 years, plus 4 months…That means I have enjoyed 3189 weeks of life thus far!  Of all those weeks, this past one was one that I will always remember.

Last Monday Norah gave birth to an adorable little girl, Eliza. It is such a cliche but bears repeating. Life really is a miracle. To hold such a tiny bundle and see those tiny fingers and toes, those little eyes peering around, trying to make sense of their new surroundings, really stops you in your tracks. Such a tiny, fragile package to love and hold!

Pat and I were fortunate to be in Toronto for her birth. The four grandparents had their first meeting with the new little one, just a couple of hours after delivery. We have been here off and on since then. For the uninitiated, life with a newborn is like no other. The main challenge is, of course, for the mother, recovering from surgery while nursing around the clock. It's impossible to do that and take care of a two year old and a household so that's where friends and family come in. As our neighbour told us "This is work you love to do." She's right. We are more than happy to be here at this special time.

However I did go home to Ottawa on the weekend, to attend my father's 90th birthday celebrations. It was another momentous occasion. He and our entire family enjoyed the gathering. As I listened to him speak to the partygoers, around ten o'clock that night and tell a story from his early childhood, about riding a train in Saskatchewan, I was again struck by his incredible memory. As I said that night, we really lucked out in the dad department.

So, I wonder what is in store for Eliza? Will she have ninety years like Dad? Hopefully she will always be surrounded by the love of family, as Dad has been.

A daughter for Norah and Sean.  If she's anything like her mother, I know how lucky they are.

The Look of Love

What does love look like? I would like to offer my humble suggestion:

What, you might ask, does this used pasta container have to do with love? Well, it was a going away offering from my mother. It says a lot about her and the nature of love. For starters, love is about actions, not just words. When Brendan went to visit my parents, before we left for the east coast, my mom gave him that package, full of cookies. At 86, she is still baking and we sure were glad that she took the time and effort to bake for us. We happily munched on those gems as we drove on and on. 

The container is an example of Mom’s thriftiness. She is the original recycler, a common sense person who does not like to throw out anything that might be re-used. Her lessons on recycling and caring are remembered and practised by all of us in the family. Thanks Mom.

New Beginnings

Well, here we are again, at the start of another school year. In September of  2011, I had a piece in the Ottawa Citizen entitled Education is a long road. It was written as a thank you to all the teachers, relatives and friends who helped us to raise our three children. In it I stated that "this school portion of our journey is over".

Well, it seems that I spoke too soon. Our youngest "child", Brendan, who has been working as a French to English translator for the last 3 years, has changed course. He has quit his office job to go back to the books. On Labour Day he started classes in a journalism degree at King’s College in Halifax. We’re very happy and excited for him.

King's College, Halifax

So we have been busy, helping with his big move. Personally, I think I deserve an award for the sheer amount of stuff I managed to cram into our car for the drive to Nova Scotia. It was an intense week of packing, driving and setting up but it’s all over now. We're back home.

So for Brendan and all students, this is the new year: a fresh start, new surroundings, new classes and new people.  Norah and Sean will also have a new person in their lives soon. Baby number two is due to arrive later this month. We're excited to meet him/her.

Parenthood is a heck of an adventure, with all kinds of unexpected twists and turns. Somewhere I read that it is a job that you gradually ease yourself out of, but really, you’re a parent for the rest of your life. Although we’ve been saying goodbye to Brendan off and on for the past ten years, ever since he went to Guelph, the goodbyes don’t get any easier. Don’t sign up for parenthood if you’re not ready for an emotional ride.

This morning on The Sunday Edition, host Michael Enright spoke about dropping his son off at school. I liked what he said about having kids and starting school being acts of optimism.

So here's to all the students, teachers and young families out there…a very happy new year to all!