Grandson advice

Choosing who you want to be and the life you want to live is an active decision that requires you to listen to your inner voice and trust yourself. Every day you have to choose to be the person you want to be and choose to be the person you’re supposed to be. It’s not enough simply to decide. You must actively choose each day. If you don’t, the world will make the choice for you. This is your life, and you only get one chance, so choose the life you want.

It's important to remember that other people may have their own agendas or motivations, so it's essential to make choices based on your own desires and values. You should not let fear or regret hold you back from pursuing the life you truly want. Instead, embrace the journey and the lessons that come along the way, even when mistakes are made. People, for the most part, are good, so judge them by what they do and say, not what they say they will do. Remember most people are only concerned with themselves and how your actions will reflect on them.

Don’t feel you need to have everything figured out. Just listen to your heart and let it guide you. This next part may sound strange. Don’t listen to others when choosing the life you want, not even your mom, dad, granny or me. Don’t rely on others to choose your path. Friends will come and go but true friends will always be with you. Many adults will try to tell you what sort of life you want. They want you to buy their products or work in their companies and if you truly want to do those things, then go for it.

As your granddad, I love and support you, but I can’t make your life choices for you. Do not make your life choices based on my suggestions and guidance, or your mom and dad’s suggestions or guidance to please us. Where will that leave you when we’ve gone? We may not always agree with all the choices you’ll make, but we know they are your choices to make because it’s your life. Your granny and I love you and we support you and we know your mom and dad love you and support you as well.

Speaking of not being around forever… You don’t have any guaranteed time on Earth, either. So don’t - do not - waste a single moment of regret or fear. Ultimately, you should be proud of the life you choose for yourself, knowing that you took ownership of your decisions and stayed true to your heart. The love and support of others are important, but ultimately, it is up to us to shape our own lives and create the future we desire.

Accept that mistakes will happen, but don’t let them stop you. Learn from them and let them guide you toward the life you truly want. Trust your heart and act. And be proud to live the life you’ve chosen for yourself.

Dare to take a chance

Earlier I posted a letter that I will share with my grandson, when he is older, but I would add the following to the ideas that I told him. 

In ages past we accepted that life was full of hardships. The odds were simple; either succeed or starve, kill or be killed. As civilisations discovered fire and then electricity and gas to keep warm, bought food from markets and built houses of stone, people became less willing to deal with any unexpected events that threatened to turn their cosy life upside down. 

We all want something to cushion the impact of the unexpected.and for some it has weakened their strength as individuals. I know that we can surmount any problem or situation that life throws our way. Unfortunately, it's all too easy to reel off a list of bad things that could happen to us. For most people it's easier than thinking of the good things that could happen. People can become slaves to their vivid imagination that conjures up bad news items that could happen to them, and they allow these images to cripple their actions. 

If people dwell on the negative they could become:

• Too afraid to start that great business idea because of all the things they imagine that could go wrong. 
• Too frightened to sell up and buy a larger house in another area because the house prices could drop or the children won't like the new schools, 

or... and so it goes on for an endless list.

Every child loves surprises and life for most children is fun and exciting. If you want to make sure you don't stifle your need for excitement keep your childlike sense of life and fun and:

1. Dare to be individual.

2. Dare to develop your own style - instead of following fashion.

3. Dare to study and work to improve yourself in your profession.

4. Dare to have a positive mental attitude and the courage to try.

In other words: Dare to take a chance.

Father's Day in Canada

My father was killed in an accident when I was in my early 20's and I never was able to resolve the disputes that fathers and sons grow into as boys become teens and then men. As a teen, my father and I at times did not see eye to eye on many issues, and as I think back I realize that on some of these he was correct and on others I probably was correct.

Sudden death of a parent or a partner is unsettling, and can have long term affects on a person. When my father was killed I did not know about the stages of grieving and went through the stages with my wife whose support was strong and needed. One of the interesting things that occurred is that as the oldest son, the role of what I had to do was well defined by my mom's family. Because of the expectations given to me, I was able to handle the role and fitting into the role, helped me through some of the steps in the grieving process, but during this time I was probably not a nice person to those that wanted to help and support me.

So as you think of your Father on Fathers day, enjoy the day, and embrace the feelings that you have for each other. 

As we grow older, many of our generation, will start to loose their parents and my wish is that you are able to resolve any and all issues that you have in a meaningful manner. As our parents become seniors, they may have a need to tell their story, 

I hope you take the time to listen and cherish your parent’s story as it is also part of your story. Father’s Day celebrates the contribution that fathers and father figures make to their children’s lives. It is a day for people to show their appreciation for fathers and father figures. Father figures may include stepfathers, fathers-in-law, guardians (e.g.. foster parents), and family friends. Father's Day in Canada is a day to remember fathers and father figures.

Many people in Canada celebrate Father’s Day in a variety of ways to express their love and gratitude to fathers or father figures. Father’s Day activities include (but are not limited to):

• Participating in Father’s Day fun runs and other events in which the proceeds go towards charity or prostate cancer research.
• Buying presents such as neckties and other items of clothing, chocolates, books or equipment for various types of hobbies.
• Giving handmade or purchased cards.
• Breakfasts, brunches, lunches, or dinners either at home or in restaurants.
• Taking fathers or father figures out to the movies, the park, the zoo, or another place of interest.

Some people organize joint Father’s Day parties and activities with close friends and family. Those who live away from their fathers or father figures may make long-distance phone calls, send an email or online card, or arrange for gifts to be delivered on Father’s Day. Some museums and other venues open to the general public may host special Father’s Day celebrations where fathers and father figures can enter free of charge.

There are some suggestions that the idea of Father's Day may originate in pagan sun worship. Some branches of paganism see the sun as the father of the universe. The June solstice occurs around the same time of year as Father's Day so some people saw a link between the two.

The idea of a special day to honour fathers and celebrate fatherhood was introduced from the United States. A woman called Sonora Smart Dodd was inspired by the American Mother's Day celebrations and planned a day to honour fathers early in the 20th century. The first Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910. 

Bonds Baby Search

My daughter has entered my grandson in a baby search contest in Australia, voting starts March 5th. Check him out and vote for him if you think he is cute. I do. The link is here:
Ryder S | BONDS Baby Search 2013

Family

 My daughter, her partner and my grandson live in an Area of Australia that is undergoing a heat wave and a spate of bush and grass fires. When we were in Australia, the heat was not extreme, and the fire danger was not high in her area. Since we returned home the area she lives in has been in a high fire danger zone and we are very worried. Worried but not concerned as I have every faith in their plan and their access to information about the fire danger.

A couple of days ago, my daughter phoned to say that they may have to evacuate their home because of the fires burning close to them. The fire was between them and the nearest town and the only place for them to go was up to the mountain. I looked on the CFA the Australian Country Fire Authority website and saw that the fire was large and they were on a  Watch and Act warning. 

As a parent and as a grandfather, my heart was in my boots, I knew I could do nothing, and the feelings of helplessness are not ones that I like. So we waited and within a day one of the fires had been contained, so my daughter did not have to leave her home. I was relieved but as the summer heat intensifies in Australia and the extreme heat continues, I will be kept on alert and will be checking in with the website every few days, rather than worry her with my concerns.

Climate change is a fact of life and with it comes more extreme weather, the science is clear, but because of politics and vested interests we are not moving as quickly to counter the issue, which I find sad and frustrating. My daughter and her friends in Australia, do not believe in Global warming and deny that it exists, and this belief is a strong one in Australia, and in the minds of some of our political leaders in Canada.

I hope that the summer heat gives way and that the area my daughter lives in is given some relief and that she and all of the people in Australia affected by the heat are and continue to be ok.

First Xmas

We cannot spend his first Xmas with our new grandson, but we enjoy the pictures, next year he will know more about what is going on and will be more excited, and will start to learn the true meaning of Xmas. Enjoy your first Xmas Ryder

 



Grandparent day

As I sat at lunch yesterday with an old friend, we talked of life, opportunities, sadness and joy. As the conversation moved to its natural pauses, I found my sight wandering to the young mother and her baby at the next table. I found myself thinking of my new grandson and the joys and sorrows that he would have as he grew into a man, and I thought about how I had missed the privilege of knowing my grandparents. I was intrigued when one of my cousins posted information about grandparent day on my Facebook page, so I did a little research when I came home.

I missed grandparent day in 2010 as I was not yet a grandparent, however, I will not miss it in 2011. For those who are not aware, here is a brief history.

In 1970, a West Virginia housewife, Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade, initiated a campaign to set aside a special day just for Grandparents.   Through concerted efforts on the part of civic, business, church, and political leaders, this campaign expanded statewide. Senator Jennings Randolph (D-WV) was especially instrumental in the project. The first Grandparents Day was proclaimed in 1973 in West Virginia by Governor Arch Moore. Also in 1973, Senator Randolph introduced a Grandparents Day resolution in the United States Senate. The resolution languished in committee.
Mrs. McQuade and her team turned to the media to garner support. They also began contacting governors, senators, and congressmen in every state. And they sent letters to churches, businesses, and numerous national organizations interested in senior citizens. In 1978, five years after its West Virginia inception, the United States Congress passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. The proclamation was signed by President Jimmy Carter. (September was chosen for the holiday, to signify the "autumn years" of life.)
Today this event, begun by only a few, is observed by millions throughout the United States.
In Australia, Queensland was the first Australian state to officially celebrate Grandparents' Day - on the first Sunday in November 2010. I missed it but my wife was there for it, but I don't think she and my daughter knew to celebrate it.
National Grandparents Day began in Canada in 1995. Motion Number 273 submitted in the House of Commons by Mr. Sarkis Assadourian read:

That, in the opinion of this House, the government should consider designating the second Sunday in September of each year as grandparents day in order to acknowledge their importance to the structure of the family in the nurturing, upbringing and education of children.

The motion was agreed to, but Grandparents Day remains relatively unknown in most parts of the country as of 2010, so I am spreading the word so more of us will be aware of National Grandparent day. Finally,  more pictures of Ryder

Another proud grandparent moment

More photos of my grandson, in a warmer climate, while here the first breath of winter is making life interesting for all of us. I can hardly wait until Feb when we will be in Australia for the month. My daughters back yard, sure looks like any West Coast yard, hard to believe it is in the mountains of Australia.



Being a grand father

My daughter told us that she was pregnant and I am very happy about the news, but I got to thinking about what this means. My daughter lives in Australia and holds dual citizenship. Over the past ten years she has come home on a fairly regular bases, but this is about to change. I will have to rethink my plans for next year. I know that many of my generations have teenage grand kids but this is new territory for me and my wife. I am not sure if being a grandfather makes me a senior or do I still qualify for being a boomer. I am not yet ready call myself a senior although I suspect that younger people would think I qualify.

I went down to the US for a conference on Thursday night and arrived at the border around 3:45, and spend the next hour and 15 minutes waiting to cross the line. The problem was not in the lineup the problem was that my car or I set off a radioactive warning devious. I thought it was strange, and when I arrived in the line there were about 20 people all with the same issues. I think the computer calibration of the sensors was out of whack but the guards were very busy filling out the forms and asking the questions. Near the end of the hour one of the guards realized that all of us were there for the same reason. I heard him mention this to another guard, but neither had the authority to do anything except continue to process the people. I lost count of the number of times the guards scanned the crowd with the Geiger counter and then walked out to the cars and scanned the cars. Computer glitches happen, many of the younger crowd were angry at the delay. I kept thinking I am missing driving through Seattle in rush hour traffic. I also enjoyed the idea that I was suspected of setting the world on fire again even if the reason was a computer glitch.