I don’t care if you have three graduate degrees and a PhD in Metaphysical Philosophy – you can never be prepared for the fear that comes with being a parent. It’s the worst kind of fear, because it’s a special kind of fear that seeps into every corner of your life. The thought that our kids will grow up without understanding the importance of giving back or being charitable citizens? Activate fear response. When your teenager starts dating a guy named "Big Easy" she met at the movies? Fear. That …
Breast Cancer: Everyone Has a Story
"Yes, that first morning after that life altering diagnosis, when we get up and put one foot in front of the other and begin our first official day as someone with breast cancer, we become Survivors...finding the strength we never knew we could summon and a fight to survive that we never imagined we'd need. Yes, that is the day we become survivors." I hung on every word that Colleen Curtis spoke this past Sunday at the CIBC Run for the Cure. "Breast cancer decimates the entire family …
Jumpstart Pedal for Kids – Getting Kids in the Game
Ugh. Is it really September? I was just easing into summer and now I have to mentally prepare myself for the approaching chaos and I'm not talking about homework. I'm talking about competition season which starts in earnest for my cheerleading daughters in September and ends sometime next spring. It means countless hours at the the gym for them, hours and hours in the car for me, and several out-of-town trips to compete. It also translates into "big money" and while I've been known to speak with …
Sandals Foundation Sea Life Sanctuary
When traveling I tend to gravitate to companies and agencies that don't just pay lip service to being good corporate citizens, they actually do something. Part of the reason I sing the praises of Sandals and Beaches to friends and family is because of their hard work and honest dedication in making the communities they live in better for all, not just the tourists. A few years ago we were lucky enough to travel to a school in Jamaica to see how the Sandals Foundation helps with education …
Jumpstart for Young Athletes #JSAmbassadors
Yesterday I drove four young girls to their competitive cheerleading practice. In and of itself there is nothing terribly unique about that usually, but this week it was for two reasons. First, all four spoke excitedly about the Winter Olympics and how many medals we had. I was surprised to hear them shout out the names of so many of our amazing Canadian athletes and speak so proudly of our country. They were practically boiling over with excitement. I love the patriotism that our Olympic …