For the first time in thirty-two years, Deb and I will be spending Christmas Eve without any of our children. That’s not bad. Considering that each of our kids are either married or are in serious relationships. There are other family schedules and traditions to honour. And if the other families have more than one…
We were able to spend six days at my cousin’s cottage. And in that time, we also got to spend time with all three of our kids and their partners. What a gift. Our kids didn’t arrive or leave at the same times, but there was some cross-over. So all the siblings got to see…
Not everyone is meant to be a parent. Some people want to be one, but it doesn’t work out for them. Some people don’t want to be one, but they become parents anyway. I always wanted to be a parent. It’s not like I dreamed of being a dad or anything. But I always knew…
One of the things I love the most about my wife, Deb, is her maternal instincts. She has always had them. It was the epiphany that she would be a great mother some day, that made me see her in a new light almost forty years ago. One of her qualities that made me love…
When I was a kid and people asked me what I wanted to be when I was grown up, I would say: Famous. It was my stock answer and it usually got a laugh. I didn’t specify what I would be famous for. I figured it would have something to do with acting or writing.…
Okay, full disclosure. I don’t really know how to be a good parent. When my children were growing up and people would ask me why my kids were so well behaved, I would usually say “I’m lucky”. Or point to Deb, because she is an awesome mother! My kids are now 26, 23, and 20.…
Last week, I was invited to go see some young poets read from their works at a Chapters store. My friend Kevin teaches grade two in an elementary school and runs a writing club after classes. He had arranged the reading. The club is made up of kids from grades 3 to grade 8. I…
peter gruner 