Tuesday 1 July 2014

Oh Canada...How Do I Love Thee?


Oh Canada...how do I love thee?  Let me count the ways...

1.  Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
(a) freedom of conscience and religion;
(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
(c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
(d) freedom of association.

Often I think these freedoms are being misconstrued in our post-modern (or are we post-post now?) world of uber-secularism and hyper-rationalism.  Many take these freedoms to mean freedom from rather than freedom of the above.  This slight change of phrase has serious consequences.  Freedom of means that we are allowed to openly confess, discuss and be whatever we will be as long as it's done within the confines of civility and law...with gentleness and respect.  The lack of gentleness and respect by many participants in this and that cause of the past has lead many to wont for freedom from the above.  Meaning that whatever you want to believe or practice is okay within a private setting but, "I don't want to have your ideologies forced upon me thank you very much!  Keep it out of the public sphere!  Practice your religion at home!  What happens in the bedroom is your business!!"  And so on.  The problem is that is not real freedom.  I'm proud that I live in a country where we still have freedom of...at least for now.  Even if I believe what you believe is foolishness or you think my reasoning is ludicrous we should still be able to believe, confess and express ourselves as we feel is right and appropriate - with gentleness and respect.

2.  Canada = Kanata = The Village
Noam Chomsky in the book Power Systems briefly describes the rise of unions and the role they played in establishing the contrasting health care models used by the United States and Canada.  He said, "In Canada the unions struggled for health care for the country.  In the United States, the struggled for health care for themselves...That's a reflection of different cultural values and institutional structures in two very similar countries."  

Later in the book he talks about the public education system, "Public education is based on the principle of solidarity.  So, for example, I had my children fifty years ago.  Nevertheless, I feel and I'm supposed to feel that I should pay taxes so that the kids across the street can go to school.  That's counter to the doctrine that you should just look after yourself and let everyone else fall by the wayside...[public education] builds up a sense of solidarity, community, mutual support."  

This idea of civic duty, looking out for one another and community is a core Canadian value that I hold dear.  Though we are a vast and sometimes disparate nation we are one big village that needs to stay together, work together and continue to look out for one another.  This sense of community is what has made Canada what it is today.

Freedom of and the sense of community and solidarity are complementary values.  Even if we hold very different personal beliefs and values than our neighbours, we can still be unified.  If we hold to strong community values we will ensure that we express ourselves in a way that does not offend our neighbours or encroach on their rights and freedoms.  Likewise we will also defend our neighbours' right to express themselves rather than ask them to keep all of that to themselves.  

The problem lies in the danger of moving towards a self-serving sense of entitlement rather than solidarity striving sense of shared space and community.  When we concede to thinking about our rights above all others, rather than considering our neighbours' rights equal to ours, then will lose what has made this country glorious and free.  


God [help us to] keep this land, glorious and free!
Happy Canada Day!!

Monday 16 June 2014

The Days of Our Fathers

  What a wonderful Fathers Day weekend I just had.  The family and I spent the weekend at our church's camp on Silver Lake...well at least during the day.  At night we retreated to the comfort of the family cottage not too far away.

It was a perfect way to pass Fathers Day as it reminded me of past times spent with my father and grandfathers.  What better way to celebrate fatherhood than to pass on similar memories to my girls.  It's like a legacy of leisure that speaks to the things that are important and enjoyed by the generations that came before me.

My father-in-law is dedicated to his family more than anything else. He likes to say that the main reason he owns the cottage is for the children and grandchildren.  It is truly a blessing to have such a wonderful place to retreat to.




We went for a hike through the woods on Saturday - which always reminds me of Grampa Gideon (paternal grandfather).  I remember hiking with him on Manitoulin Island and him often having some interesting fact to share.  Like the one time he found some wild mint leaves growing, took some sap from a tree and made himself some gum.  I kid you not.  He was born in the forest up near James Bay and grew up in them so he was savvy to the ways of the woods.   My knowledge of the woods doesn't come close to my Grampa's, if I tried to make gum I'd probably choose the wrong type of leaf and give everyone a horrible rash on their mouths - not the memories I'm going for.  So I didn't pull out any cool tricks on my hike (unless you count getting to the end without running through a bunch of poison ivy a cool trick). However my enjoyment and appreciation of the woods and nature are on par with his and I'm glad my girls also seem to have a natural bond with the woods.

My Pappa's (maternal grandfather) main priority was always bent towards faith.  To that end I'm quite proud to carry on that heritage and raise my girls in an environment, surrounded by people of faith that encourage them to grow and experience faith in their own right.

These characteristics are not exclusive to my grandfathers; my Dad embodies them and in such a way has been a conduit bringing the past into the present and hopefully to see them live on into the future. My Dad has always been a fun-loving, out-doorsy, water-loving, family man of faith and in that regards  I believe I am cut from the same cloth.  I don't think I could count the hours spent outside (or at outdoors shows) mainly on or near a lake with my Dad.


I spent Sunday the way that I think my Dad would have liked to spend it.  Most of it was spent either in or on the water.  I was planning on going for a leisurely dip but that turned into a massive water fight with a bunch of kids (yes, I was probably the biggest kid there) - my girls were loving it.  Then my family took a canoe out for a nice whip around the lake.  It was perfect.

Nap time
Oh and the driving...yes my childhood reminiscing would not be complete without thinking about all the driving we did.  My Dad was born to drive and our trips always included an element of driving...for hours.  This was before any cool devices that could placate kids for hours existed aside from the radio and eventually tape players (I think my older sister got a walkman at one point which was amazing to us).  Yes our cool technology was mainly books, magazines and the great outdoors.


  We were constantly scanning, "keeping our eyes open" for any wildlife that we might see...







snake! 








Can you spot the deer?

Well in that regards my Dad would have been proud.  In our 2 hour drive (30 minutes X 4) from the cottage to the church campground we saw: 2 turtles, 2 snakes, 2 raccoons, 2 vultures, 2 deer, a butterfly, a daddy-long-legs spider and the shaggiest husky you can imagine.  In addition we saw a few blue herons, fish galore, and a playful chipmunk.  For awhile there, we were seeing two of so many kinds of animals I thought I might have to start building ourselves a boat.  It was wild.

So that was our Fathers' Day weekend.  A celebration of the legacy and heritage passed down that make us Gideons and Paavolas the type of men and fathers we are...a celebration of the past and the present with an eye to the future.  May you have had a similar time!

We stopped on an old wooden bridge to take this.




Saturday 26 April 2014

We do Judo!

We have finally finished up the hockey season and the girls have just started taking Judo lessons at the dojo down the street. I must confess that judo is a much more pleasant sport to have children in than hockey. I love hockey and I'm a proud Canadian but holy smokes its a commitment. The weird part about hockey in Ottawa is that there is really no non competitive leagues around. All leagues are set up with a rep like system with tournaments, travelling, and multiple games a week etc. I have no illusions about my kids sports carers they will likely, like 99% of players, end up just playing the sport for, well, sport. So when we signed the girls up for hockey a year or so ago I was hoping for a easygoing once a week shinny style type of hockey, after all they are only 5 and 8 years old.  Unfortunately here in Ottawa, where most hockey parents have good government jobs and plenty of disposable income, hockey is pretty full on regardless of the level of the players. Two overnight tournaments in two different cities, and several week day (during the day, like when people are you know, working) games later we are happy to be done.

So far Judo has been a happy alternative. The girls are often more engaged in the exercises during their lesson than they were in hockey as it is not so easy to hang back and watch at the dojo. Their teacher is a very soft spoken and calm Japanese lady who is the smallest thing I have ever seen. She also happens to be one of the best female martial arts experts in Canada and was a coach for the Olympic judo team for several years. Her family is also pretty impressive, with her two brothers competing at the Olympics and her sons winning dozens and dozens of martial arts competitions. The awards are so numerous that they have started to nail them to the ceiling at the dojo. So at least I know the girls are in good hands.

We are not sure what we will choose to do come winter. Hockey is a big part of Canadian culture and the girls for the most part enjoy playing. However our family really has a hard time managing the commitment of such an intense sport. If this is what house league hockey is like at 8 I shudder to think of what it will be at 12, 13, and so one. Plus we don't even have all our kids in yet. Mimi will one day join her sisters in what they are playing, as we tend to keep them doing the same thing  (mostly to cut costs).

If the girls continue to enjoy Judo through the summer we may sadly say goodbye to hockey, and just do pleasure skating at the outdoor arena near our house. At least if they continue with Judo in ten or so years I will have a gaggle of girls who can protect me in dark alley ways or at Ikea on Saturday mornings (it's just like Lord of the Flies at that time, I blame the Swedish meatballs there must be something addictive in them).



Judo Hug 

Judo Chop! 

Friday 25 April 2014

Signs of Spring


We finally survived another Ottawa winter and spring has finally started indoors at least. Here are some of the plants we have on the go. Lex is are main horticulturalist around here and I do the flower bed construction outdoors.
beans starting

Tomatoes 

Bigger beans and broccoli

Herbs


Thursday 24 April 2014

Sorry Ryan it's a mamma post...I'm still a feminist!

I seem to have come across a lot of media lately (talk shows, articles, blogs) bashing stay-at-home mothers. Most of these pieces make the homemaker out to be some sort of slave who sacrifices every inch of her self-worth and potential in order to be a stay at home parent. The worst part is when they say Mothering all day is anti-feminist. Now, I grew up on the ultra-liberal side of the feminist debate. I didn't (don't) wear makeup, I went tree planting, I  listened to a lot of Indigo girls, I read Naomi Wolf books, so yeah, really really feminist. As I grew older I drew strength knowing that generations of women had worked and fought for women's equality and the freedom for me to choose what I wanted to do in life.  

After I had my first child I knew that the right thing to do in my life was love and care for her at home full time. Because I felt like it was right for our family, for my daughter, and overall the healthy thing for us. Eight years on and three kids and one dog later I am still happy that I do not have a career that takes me out of my home everyday. I feel like I am doing the right thing, just as working moms are doing what they believe is best for their families and themselves. We're all just doing what we think is right. 

Some of the things people say about stay-at-home moms are indeed true. We don't have financial independence (although even career focused mamas have a mortgage and a visa bill, how independent does that make them?). We don't get breaks, we don't use our brains to our utmost academic level (mostly because we are exhausted), and we are dependent on our partners. Oh and we dress badly... that's totally true but if your going to be covered in puke what's the point in dressing up? 

But hang on a second! My husband depends on me too. We are in a fundamental way interdependent on each other. If I decided to go marry the hunky single guy down the road and move to Cuba, Ryan would be totally screwed. As wonderful as my husband is he could not look after our girls even close to the same way as he can now. And if Ryan decided to marry the hot single chick down the road and move to Cuba I would also be totally screwed. This is part of the reason that neither one of us views divorce as an option; apart from all the emotional trauma, it would totally wreck our lives...and the lives of our girls. In our society no one is supposed to need anyone else. Well thats just bananas! People need other people, to love, to do things for, for help, for support, for making mochas in the morning while you wipe sleep from your eyes (thanks Ry).

I am a stay-at-home mom but I am not a moron. I know that children are not young forever and that one day I will be alone with my husband. I will have no career to keep me busy in my fifties, sixties and so on. But guess what...I don't care! Na na na na pooh pooh! I am digging my life now! I feel important to many people and I feel valued and stimulated every day. I have learnt so much about the power and strength of women and how important we are to a successful society. I have also noticed how undervalued women's work is in our culture by men and women alike. I will continue to be a homemaker despite the confused looks I get when I am asked "so what do you do all day"? Or my personal favourite "aren't you bored?" No, somehow I have not found the time to be bored.

I feel like I am what feminism was manifestoed to do. We are feminists because we want a choice. 



Friday 11 April 2014

Reason to Celebrate

Tomorrow is a big day.  April the 12th is the day my Mom was born and also the day my parents and late paternal grandparents were married.  As much as it is more blessed to give than to receive, I cannot help but think about how much I have received because of the historic family events that have taken place on April the 12th.  I am thankful for the blessing that my Mom and Dad are and for the example they have set for our family.

Growing up my Mom was one of my heroes and still is.  Not only is she an awesome Mom and Mummu to my girls who does all the things that you envision an awesome mom doing, but she also had enough gumption not to give up on her dream.  So many years ago now, with three children, she went back to school to complete high school and nursing college.  I remember her studying her anatomy books well into the evening and on weekends finding time where she could while still taking care of us all.  She accomplished that which she set out to do and continues to succeed in her career as a nurse.  She now works in palliative care helping comfort those who have no hope for recovery and easing them into the sweet hereafter.  She handles her sacred duty with quiet strength (although she is not always quiet), resolve and compassion indicative of her character.  I am proud of my Mom and glad that my girls have such a great example that they can learn from and hope to be like one day (my girls are very fortunate with the number of quality women they are surrounded with).

My Mom and Dad have done it together for I am sure that my mom would agree that without my Dad supporting her decision to go back to school and encouragement, it would have been a heck of a lot harder to accomplish what she has.  They have stuck together through thick and thin, for better or worse, in sickness and in health and continue to demonstrate love, commitment and teamwork.  When I consider what my parents have given me I think about the faith they fostered in me, the values they instilled, the belief they had in me and the encouragement and support they continue to give to me and my family.  These are priceless... a rich heritage that I strive to guard as fervently as I would a precious family heirloom so that I may pass them on to my girls and them to their children.

So to my Mom and Dad I say Happy Birthday and Anniversary, may God richly bless you today and in the coming year and we thank you for all that you have given to us!



Monday 3 March 2014

Fatherhood is Like Gravity

Well another Oscar night has come and gone. I used to love Oscar night because I used to love films.  There were a few years there that I'm pretty sure I saw every movie nominated for a major award (working at a movie theatre and going to film school were certainly enabling factors).   I think this is the first time in eighteen years that I didn't catch any of the broadcast.  I didn't even know all the films that were nominated for Best Picture until after the telecast when I was reviewing the winners.  It was then that it hit me just how out of touch I am with pulp culture.  While fatherhood and family life tend to do that (at least to me) do not think that I am lamenting this fact.  I'd much rather be grounded in what matters (family) than caught up with my head in the clouds floating to and fro whichever way the wind may blow (divergent entertainment).

It all reminds me of that movie Gravity...at least what I imagine Gravity to be about since I've only ever seen the teaser.  If I'm correct the movie is about a couple of astronauts sent adrift in space after a spacewalk goes wrong.  That's it pretty much in a nutshell, isn't it?

I think parents need to be especially vigilant with the time they carve out for each other lest they end up like the two astronauts in the movie (although if I could end up looking like George Clooney when I'm 50, I'd be okay with that...and I think my wife would concur).  There are so many things willing to be your distraction du jour that it is tempting to lose sight of what's important and float away.  If one is not careful, it is easy to get caught up in the doing of the things of everyday life and be sent adrift in the inertia of it all only to look up and find yourself miles from where you intended to be, far from your partner and no notion of how to get back.  

So in the spacewalk that is life (how's that for some fromage?) even when what you're doing is filled with purpose, don't lose focus of the big picture and for goodness sake hang on tight to each other.


Wednesday 26 February 2014

Sea of Pink

Having three girls I should have expected a certain amount of pinkness in my life but sometimes for no reason it seems to really explode. In a good way. Although my girls are sporty and love things like star wars, lego, and Jack London stories, every once and a while they really have to get their pink on. Like on Saturday after hockey with their little cousin joining in. Enjoy! 


Monday 24 February 2014

No Play Allowed

I was at a school park with my kids the other day after school hours. My children were happily playing on the play structure which was fairly snowy, but since it was constructed mostly of wood and not very dangerous looking I didn't really see it as a problem. Now there is a sign on said play structure that says Ottawa District School has closed this structure until spring. "Ok that sounds clear enough Ryan", you say? Wait! The park near the school is actually owned by the city so while the school has rights to the structure during school hours they do not after school is over. So I took it upon myself to ignore the stupid rule sign and let my children play on the "dangerous play structure"; can dangerous play structure even go in the same sentence? I digress,,.

From the school came abounding two very well meaning ECE workers who help run the day-care within the school. " Sorry but the play structures closed for the season you can you it in the spring", they said in their patronising veiled with concern tone. "But, but, it's only a bit snowy, and it's after 4 pm, and, and, its a dumb rule" I said, somewhat reverting into a fourth grade version of myself. "Sorry it's just way too dangerous in the winter to use it" said the ECE teacher. "OK, fine, we will go play on the two story high snow hill beside the parking lot" I say. Which is actually dangerous but with no other options what can you do?

Now it's not that I think this is the teachers or maybe even the schools fault. This is an insurance problem. The schools insurance will not cover student injuries in the winter, so they have to lie to students, parents and even themselves and say that it is because the play structure is dangerous in the winter. The problem with this is that everyone starts believing this lie. Students really think it's very dangerous to play on a meter high playground in the winter in Canada. Where it is winter like 9ish months of the year.

Meanwhile we have a huge push in Ottawa schools to curb obesity. Fresh fruit Fridays, no candy, one candy a day after Halloween, and exercise themed days every so often. How bout we can all that crap, start teaching them to read more often, and open that dammed play structure. Free the children I say!

I know this will not be happening anytime soon. Not while there is a huge insurance company holding the play structures at ransom. I hope that Canadian children are able to shake off their imposed fear when they are older and learn the difference between real danger and a crazy town idea of danger. And I hope that the school boards ubber health strategy doesn't do more harm than good in their students lives. Personally I would much rather have a bunch of kids falling off play structures in the winter if it meant we could give them a more carefree existence during school recess. But maybe thats just me.





Thursday 16 January 2014

And Now for Something Completely Different - Snow Shoveling and Electronic Records


Hey, have you ever wondered how e-Records Cleanup is Like Shoveling Snow?  I know, who hasn't, right?  I explored that exact topic just a couple of weeks ago for my company's blog.  Perhaps electronic records disposition and cleanup is not for you, that's understandable, however I'd still recommend checking out the link to glean some tips for shoveling snow and to sample some more fine writing from yours truly.

Enjoy!!


Monday 13 January 2014

New Year's Coffee Revolution!!

The machine (in that background) that revolutionized the way I think about and drink coffee.

Latte.  Mocha Latte.  Mmmmm...yes these are items that only a few weeks ago I considered indulgent.  I have to admit I was a plain ol' regular coffee with a splash of milk kind of guy.

However since my wife and I received a fancy-dancy espresso machine for Christmas (thanks Mom and Dad!!)  my coffee habits have been revolutionized!  I have discovered the sheer joy of making and partaking in such delectable specialty coffees.  It is a fine feeling to sit down after a day at the office and enjoy a fine specialty coffee in my fine home with my fine family.  The whole experience is...well, FINE!!

My oldest daughter is a big fan of the machine too, she is quite proud of herself because she can now make her own hot chocolate.  Now the trick will be to teach her how to make a latte and then have her get up early each day (or maybe just on Sundays) so my latte is ready for me when I arise.  Ahh...to dream!

My first attempt at latte artistry...it's supposed to be a heart with an arrow
though it...made with love, for my wife!

Thursday 9 January 2014

Father's Perspective on Crashing

I don't want to dwell on our accident because as scary as it was it ultimately turned out alright.  It was a minor trauma that could have been a major tragedy...but wasn't.  So while I want to grant it its proper weight, I want to strive to keep it in perspective and avoid indulging in sensationalizing the experience.  That said I've had some stuff running through my mind that I wanted to write down and then that's it, it's on to other things (except when I have to deal with insurance et al).

As a father one of my main duties is to protect my family.  As a parent we strive to provide everything our kids need to be safe, healthy and generally provided for.  So much of my life revolves around what is best for them.  It strikes me that as vigilant and conscientious as we try to be, we are often on the edge of chaos and might not even know it.  I read a lot of westerns and one of the primary themes in westerns is the thin line that exists between civilization and basically just surviving.  We build up this illusion of control by making plans, working hard and preparing for anything...and in a moment it can all slip out from underneath us and make naught of all we've built.  We control so little.  Even something as foundational as our livelihoods are often contingent on the whims of the marketplace, the economy and a number of other variables beyond our realm of influence.  So what do I do with that?

Well for starters I beleive in a God that is in control, not even a sparrow falls to the ground outside of his care.  Even if we should fall, it's not the end of the world.  Even through or maybe especially through difficulties I believe God is working things together for the good of those who are called according to his will and his plan - even if what is happening is not good.  Put aside whether you believe God directly causes or simply allows some things or everything to happen and the theological implications of each (that is a big discussion for another day), because beauty can rise from the ashes of tragedy and there are many examples.  We may not alwasy be privy to the outcome...but I must believe.  As the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians to "live is Christ and to die is gain," he had a hard time deciding which he felt was better.I don't have too difficult a time accepting that on a personal level.

If this is true for me, then it is true for my wife and children.  While I do have a responsibility to them and for them, they are not mine.  So often I view my kids as extension of myself, forgetting that they are their own unique people with their own purposes and callings.  It's difficult for me to comprehend but God loves them more perfectly than I ever could and has created them for his own good pleasure and for his purpose - not mine.  I've been blessed with them for a time and as long as I live I will strive to be the best father for them, to protect and provide for them as vigilantly and diligently as ever.  That which I can control and plan for I will, that which I cannot I will trust that in my weakness and inability God will be glorified and his strength and faithfulness be known, and pray knowing that my family will remain in his will.

I found that it is not easy trusting someone else with those who are most precious to me...but isn't that what God has done and I'm simply recipricating?



Tuesday 7 January 2014

An Inauspicious Beginning

It has been a most inauspicious beginning to the new year for my family.  My new year's day Facebook status read, "Happy New year Friends!!  May the joy and peace that passes all understanding be yours in 2014 whatever may come."

It was my thought to encourage and challenge my friends to count their blessings and in all circumstances to give thanks for that which they have, even when times are tough.  True joy and peace (that I receive from God) should not be dependent on if we're having a good day, but should be evident through our struggles.

Little did I know that this sentiment would be thoroughly tested in my life almost immediately in the new year.  Thursday, January 2nd was a bitterly cold night.  Evie had a hockey tournament in Kingston on the weekend so my family and I were planning on braving the cold night to drive to the cottage to stay.  However our car battery was dead and needed to be boosted or charged.

I called my father-in-law who came over with his car and charger.  Boosting it from his battery didn't work.  So we decided to push it up the driveway closer to an outlet so we could plug in a charger and connect it to the battery.  The two of us were no match for the snowy driveway and as I jumped into the car to apply the break to stop the car from rolling backwards onto the road, my car door that was open because I was jumping into the car clipped my father-in-law's side mirror.  CRACK!!  Crap...

I dug out an extension cord, plugged it in and charged the car over the next hour.  We decided to postpone our trip until the next morning, thinking that would be the safest option. My Father and Mother in law graciously (considering we just smashed their car window) thought it would be nice to babysit and let Lex and I go have a coffee. I commiserated with Lex about how we just seem to be screwing up again and again. We were so depressed about what we had just done but determined finally to move on and try to be more productive in the days ahead. This was not to be.

We got up nice and early the next day, loaded up kids, hockey stuff, and suitcases. Thankfully my wife had put them all in warm winter coats and gloves; sometimes we just put warm sweaters on, as a long drive in coats often gives the girls a heat rash. The drive towards Kingston was easy going for the first forty minutes or so. We then started to notice cars in the ditch every few minutes. The weather was very cold but also bright and clear so we couldn't understand why there were so many accidents. We slowed right down to be safe and continued on.

A few minutes after Lex wondered aloud why we were seeing so many cars off the road we got our answer first hand.  The car started to fish-tail like a pendulum,. small little zig zag patterns at first that got wider with each swing eventually spinning our car a full 360 degrees.  I think it would have kept spinning if we had not crashed into and through three posts of the guard rail (taking them all out of the ground and splitting two in half), then for good measure we rolled our car completely over and before coming to a halting stop in the ditch, thankfully we landed tires down. We had hit some serious black ice.

I first looked at Lex and after and after seeing that she was okay turned quickly to the the girls.  I think the fraction of a second it took me to look at Lex then turn my head to look back was the most scared I've ever been.  I didn't know what to expect but worst case scenarios danced in my mind.  The instant after was perhaps the most relieved I've ever been as three sets of terrified eyes greeted me, terrified but alert and no visible signs of injury.  Everyone seemed scared but OK. The kids started crying in unison exactly 30 seconds after we stopped rolling, but once we got them out of their car seats and into our arms they soon stopped. Two cars pulled up to help us, one was a actually a family from our hockey team (I cannot tell you how nice it was to see a familiar face), the other car had two sweet grandparents from Cape Breton who offered to drive us to the Kingston arena where we were headed, "Don't worry, we won't leave you" the kind couple reassured my wife as I tried to sort out what we were going to do. I called my brother-in-law, Jason, briefly explained what happened and asked him to come to Kingston and pick up our family (they were staying at the cottage only half an hour from there).  So I grabbed what we needed from the wreckage that was our car, loaded everyone up and headed on our way making the requisite call to the police to report the accident, inform them we were all okay and that we were abandoning our car in the ditch because it was freezing.  Evie and I traveled with more friends from our hockey team who were a couple kilometers back when we crashed but also stopped to help, while my wife took Noli and Miriam in the nice grandparents' vehicle to the arena.

We actually made it to Evie's game on time for her to play, which I think was helpful as it was a fun distraction for the girls while we spent the whole time on the phone with various insurance and tow truck people. After the game Jason, his son and our family went to get noodles at our favourite place in Kingston and slowly started to process what had happened. After the day of hockey (Evie played in both games that day and beat the Ice wolves) I picked up a rental car in town and then we all headed to the cottage...slowly and extremely cautiously.   It felt so good to get inside and know that I would not have to drive again for the next 15 hours at least.

Our family as always was so helpful and supportive the next day. Jason and I spent our whole Saturday driving around searching for my car, where it was impounded and house keys (which I thoughtlessly left in the car).  We had to drive all over the place which perhaps was a good...get right back up on the horse!  It was odd surveying the crash site.

Meanwhile Kath  (Lex's sister) and Lex stayed back with the kids at the cottage. The kids had a cottage perfect day, spent mostly outside sledding or drinking hot chocolate. The children's resiliency and toughness amaze me!

My wife's parents were amazingly helpful and generous as usual.  They spent their Saturday coordinating with a locksmith to have my house door's open (lesson learned - always keep your spare key in its place because you just never know...) They have also generously offered to give us their much newer car for free; which doesn't even surprise me (they are very generous people).

We are all back home now and safe. Lex and I have very minor stiffness in our neck and back and arms. The girls have no stiffness whatsoever, and are mostly just sad about not being able to drive our old car again. We are all trying to relax and take life a bit more slowly and gratefully now. We have learnt a lot from this. We have resolved to treat winter weather with more respect, drive even more slowly and if necessary not at all when it seems too dangerous. Our other problems which we perhaps worrying about don't seem very important anymore either.   I am hoping for a more calm continuation of the year after 2014 started off with a literal BANG and pray that the joy and peace that passes all understanding continues to envelop my household.

God Bless.