When I was a kid and we learned about Anne Frank or the Underground Railroad, I took it for granted that if my family had lived through a horrible time, we’d do the upstanding thing. After all, it seemed obvious: if a Jewish family needs to hide from slaughter and you have an attic, give …
On a recent road trip to Tofino via several other destinations, I had my dog for company and remembered a post I wrote in 2020 about how the same dog had changed my pandemic experience. This morning, I re-read that reflection and saw how much of it holds up (other parts were a weird trip down …
One year ago today, you were the cutest new year’s date. We took the dog for a walk in the afternoon, on a hill overlooking downtown. Afterward, we went home and popped the tops off a couple bottles – prosecco for me, formula for you. We cuddled and watched something on Netflix; I don’t remember …
A few years ago, a recruiter saw my resume and said it looked like I was two different people. My CV outlined a decade or so of work in corporate communications, and another few years of non-profit management. In the middle, I had earned a master’s in social work. So, I could see her point: …
In advance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, my workplace held a few different learning events – including a talk about the intergenerational effects of residential schools. The woman who presented is the daughter of a fellow employee, and I wondered as she talked (beautifully, kindly, firmly) whether it was unnerving for him …
It was a month of moms. I kicked off May by attending a three-day workshop where leaders from charitable foundations gathered to figure out whether we can donate money in ways that are better aligned to the values many of us espouse. (Spoiler alert: we can and should. Second spoiler alert: for a variety of …
A few days ago, I woke up from a nightmare. In it, I was with my friend and our dogs. We were all enjoying a summer day by the river. Out of nowhere, a tidal wave came upstream and drowned some of the people near us. My friend and I somehow stayed afloat. This scene …
Without a doubt, you are the person who taught me the most this year. Not a day passes where I don’t think, wonder or worry about you. In late January, I was licensed as a foster parent, and you came along about ten days later. With three hours’ notice, I opened the door to you …
About 15 years ago, I stored photos with an online service. Even though I haven’t added new photos in years, the company still emails me with reminders of past moments. One of those emails recently included a group photo from a holiday lunch with people from work, and I immediately forwarded it to a friend …
I still remember the feel of string cutting into my neck. I was so proud of that aching feeling; it meant the little orange box was full of money for what I understood to be a good cause. I understood myself to be making a difference. Years ago, I trick or treated with a UNICEF …
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