RELATABLE STORIES OF RESILIENCE

Happy World Kindness Day!

When Kay passed away


Today my elderly neighbour Kay passed away.  She was a lovely lady, full of spunk and an avid knitter. 

She and I had a few nice chats over the years.  Nothing deep or allowed either of us to really get to know the other but she said something to me once that I'll never forget. 

Make mine a triple decker - the sandwich generation redefined


The sandwich generation has forever been defined by people in their 30s and 40s who are caring for their children as well as their parents.

My sandwich has an added layer - my husband who at only 50 years old has been suffering from glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.  

Laughing at the absurd


​I recently ran into an old acquaintance who learned of the return of my husband's cancer.  

It took them by surprise that while I was sharing his symptoms, the 10 days of radiation that followed and aggressive intravenous infusion that he was now taking bi-weekly that I laughed about it. 

Flying on her own - how my daughter exemplifies resilience


My baby, my first born, the one who has trained me in parenting.  She's left on her first solo flight.  Albeit on a school credit trip, with many others studying the same marine biology course, but she is not travelling with us.  

As many times as I have encouraged her to take advantage of these opportunities, I couldn't deny the mixed feelings I had while leaving her at the airport.

I reflected on the story that Alana Salsberg contributed to RESILIENT PEOPLE on motherhood.  As she put it, "This is what I wanted: happy, excited, confident, resilient kids who have become happy, excited, confident, resilient young adults."

The Tragically Hip's farewell concert and our own brain cancer story

 
The Tragically Hip were one of Canada's most beloved bands.  Although I couldn’t count myself as one of their lifelong fans I did get caught up in the farewell fandemonium.
 
Part of my reason for wanting to watch the show was to see the band’s lead singer Gord Downie perform that night.  Only a few months earlier it was announced that he had stage 4 brain cancer, specifically called glioblastoma (GBM).

Little did I know that watching his performance would signal my own family's upcoming battle with this same illness.

How The Ring Theory helps people in crisis find their circle of support


​How The Ring Theory helps people in crisis find their circle of support

When my husband was diagnosed with brain cancer and our family was in crisis mode, it became clear to me who was in my circle of support. ​

Betterhelp offers 24/7 online counselling


BetterHelp provides online connections to licensed behaviour therapists and counsellors via text or phone conversations.  

What volunteering has done for me

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I was quite young when I started to volunteer.

My first memory is being around 10 years old and calling constituents on behalf of our local municipal candidate in a Toronto election.  All I remember is saying to people, "I hope we can count on your support for Yuri Shymko."  

Are we jolly?


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This time of year we are hard-pressed to go anywhere and not hear jolly carols, receive happy greetings, and watch movies about the joy of the season.

Beating the bad weather blues


Fall is here.  

The leaves have all turned different colours and the trees are halfway bare.  

As much as I love this season, I still feel apprehensive about what's to come.  Winter.

Talking with our parents about elder care


It may not happen easily but it's a conversation that needs to be had.  What to do with a parent when they can no longer live alone.  
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