September 4

 Highlights of the last two weeks:

1. I went to Tisdale on Tuesday, September 1 to visit Mom.  I wanted to be with her when she received the results of her CAT Scan.  Good news!  The tumours in her lungs and the one tumour on her breast have not grown in the last 6 months.  She doesn't have to go back for imaging until March.  She still feels well other than the usual aches and pains of being 92 years old.  Mom and I had a nice lunch together, then we visited the site of the Humboldt Broncos accident.  I have heard many people say the site is junky, but the there is something poignant about seeing the hockey sticks, sweaters, and other sentimental artifacts at the site.  

2.  Last weekend, my crew was at the lake for one of our last hurrahs.  Morgan and I went for a round of golf on Saturday, then met Haley, Dustin, Mary, and Luvisa at the restaurant for dinner.  Luvisa lit up the restaurant with her piercing two year old voice when she saw her dad and her grandpa walk in...Her response drew a few laughs from the other patrons.

3.  The girls have been back at school for two weeks.  The students arrive on Monday.  Both girls are remaining calm and centered amid the controversy of returning to work during the pandemic.  Their greatest anxiety is "other people's anxiety".

4.  I am still playing ball.  Last week, I played on a team that took on the Saskatoon Traveling Team.  We swept them in a double header.  The bats were hot.  We scored 18 runs in one inning.  I've never been a part of something like that in all my years of playing ball.  Very satisfying!

I will conclude by saying: I loved my career as a teacher/principal, but the beginning of the school year was usually an anxious, exhausting time.  I feel incredibly thankful that I don't have to face the challenges that this school year will bring.  Please be kind to your teachers, bus drivers, EAs, caretakers, Administrators , and everyone else involved in the school system.  In fact, just be kind to everyone.  Be forgiving and be patient with everyone who has a different view on how to cope with the challenges we are facing.  Cheers.