H+M

A lovely woman contacted me to let me know she had won the bid for the letter 'h' through the Canadian Artists for the Poor fundraiser and wondered if I would consider adding to it as a gift for her husband and I was thrilled.  What a wonderful idea...to have something that not only commemorates your family but that is also original and unique to you.

It's been a sad week in Alberta which is yet another reminder to appreciate and value those who are close to me.  Life is too short and it really is about those relationships that are important to us.  Even though we live far away from our immediate family, I have always appreciated their love and support...when we first moved here seventeen years ago, my parents helped with our belongings and our then 3-year-old...while we lived here my mother-in-law flew out to help us with our home and children, a newborn and six-year-old...and while raising the girls, my aunt and uncle became honorary grandparents, dropping everything to help when we needed it (and making the best homemade chicken noodle soup and German pancakes regularly - thanks Tante Eva & Uncle Hein!).

And there are so many others, not necessarily related, but who with an encouraging word or an offer of assistance have made a difference in our lives.  It really does take a village to raise a child.