Had I been a child removed from mum, dad, sisters and a visit to Santa, I can imagine the trauma of no stocking hanging on the mantle, no tree, no presents, no Christmas songs to sing along with (“All I want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” and Gene Autry singing “Frosty the Snowman” were my favorites) and no turkey dinner!  I would have found a way to celebrate in some way.  No matter what! . 

This wasn’t going to be easy.  The place where we were staying had no fir or pine trees to chop down for a Christmas tree, let alone a stove to cook a turkey.  Heck there weren’t even any turkeys in that part of the planet.  What about gifts?  Presents?  Oh, what to do?  When in doubt call an emergency meeting!   We huddled up and agreed ….if there was a will there was a way…. we needed to capture that magic of Christmas spirit found in a child. The adventure had begun!

“Once upon a time not too long ago there were these two guys.  One guy was pretty big so he was called Big Guy. The other guy wasn’t so big yet so he was called Little Guy.  They were pals!  They loved to go on these adventures together and each time Big Guy brought his compass and Little Guy brought his whistle.  One day…………………….”

 

These words are taken from a relationship formed between a grandfather and his grandson.  They took shape through circumstance, imagination and love in a series of bedtime stories.  (We now share them as Big Guy and Little Guy Adventure Stories.)  They echo the joy of nurturing and the need for young boys to have a positive male role model. This relationship is an example of the unexpected that can happen to families at any time.  We can make plans but we can’t plan outcomes!  

 

As in most cases the outcome was a joyful experience.  Somehow, through the twists and turns of life, a father with grown children found himself as surrogate father figure to his grandson.  When a father helps rear his son and daughters there is an intuitive knowing the relationship will last a lifetime in some shape or fashion.  However, little thought, if any, is given to one day being a “father figure” to a grandchild.  Well it's happening!  

 

 

Like many others, on November 11^th, I took the time to pause, reflect and honor those who have gone to war.  I watched the ceremony on television and said a quiet "thank you".  What am I saying thank you for and why do I feel a sense of sorrow?

Obviously, I’m grateful to live in a democracy.  I’m grateful that I have not officially “had to go to war”.  Really, I have no idea of what front line battle feels like.  Or do I? 

I feel sorrow for the loss of life, for the families that have lived with that loss, for the soldiers that have lived with the first hand experience of going through a war.  I also feel a tremendous sadness, that despite the testimonials of countless active soldiers, veterans and their families reflecting on the futility of war; we are, in fact, still going to war.  

I watched the soldiers as they partook in the Remembrance Day ceremonies and wondered what it would be like if we did not have a need for soldiers or for the guns they carry.  What if Remembrance Day was a day for honoring the past and celebrating peace?  What if we lived in a world without distinction of borders, without a belief of “them and us”?

How would this be possible?  Many are “for peace”, attend peace rallies, and support peaceful movements.  Why have we not learned from the past and why does worldwide peace not exist?

All of sudden my heart began beating and the challenge was on! I got my start close to VE Day. Voila, a bundle of joy delivered on the eve of 1946 - a kind of Preemie Boomer; blessed to be born into a time of peace, and prosperity; sort of marooned in the north west of North America. Nice gig if you could get it! 

We didn't so much pick up the ball, as we had it handed to us by a gutsy generation that came before. Along came: fridges and the Lone Ranger on TV; Jackie Robinson and Civil Rights; Pensions and Medicare (I'm Canadian!); JFK and Rockets to the Moon; Elvis and the Beatles;  The Internet and iPods. We boomers are the great receivers and the great adapters.

Far from the maddening crowds and competition of Beijing, and oblivious to  the power plays in other far away places; it’s August on Vancouver Island.  The morning sunrise over Craig Bay is truly a blessing to behold.  It’s going to be another hot one today!  Freshly brewed coffee in hand, I take it all in.

 

 

A WORKPLACE WELLNESS SEMINAR 

Engaging & Retaining Staff Through Generosity at Work  

 

TwinkleTone Productions provides educational & entertainment resources

to homes, schools, communities and places of work.  Our Generosity Seminar reflects a growing desire in the business world to look beyond self interest & help others. In addition to being an increasingly important career building skill, the seminar enhances workplace culture by impacting teamwork, loyalty, productivity and community profile.