Life, there you are

It has been a while since I last wrote - a combination of busyness and finding other ways to communicate. And now it's almost scary contemplating what to say. There's so much going on in the world - everywhere. On a micro and a macro scale. Right here in front of me, in this city of Toronto, across our great country, and beyond our borders, in all directions.

Our federal parliament is prorogued again - which has caused much consternation throughout the nation. What happened to that friendly, accommodating, democratic land we lived in? Now, to prove we care, we're forced onto the streets to say yes, Mr. Harper we care. And then he flies off claiming to have discovered a brand new cause - the welfare of women and children everywhere. Wow, he may be getting the message after all.

Right over the horizon, we're hosting the Olympics. So much work and sleepless, dedicated effort has gone into the games - from way before the bid was secured, throughout the official preparation and now in the last two weeks before the opening ceremonies. 2010 is here. Go Vancouver, Go VANOC, Go Tourism BC, Go Canada!! And more than that - Go Athletes, from everywhere, as you are the heart and soul of it all. Do well, have fun, make friends and enjoy. We're proud of you already. (And hopefully you, and not the politics, will prevail - as it should be).

Then there's Haiti. It's hard to know where to begin. We've managed to pretty much ignore their plight until now, despite the number of countries involved in their business over the decades. We're all there now for the right reasons. And hopefully the immense emotional, physical and monetary support will begin to have a real impact on immediate needs first, and then help to build a sustainable infrastructure in the future.

Everywhere you look, there are accomplishments to admire, heartbreaking crises to endure, and many challenges big and small. Then, there's the recognition that we're here and able to breathe it all in. Life, there you are.