Many people feel sad at this time of year and it’s not related to the festive season. Rather, they’re experiencing seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is associated with fewer hours of daylight and can be exacerbated by spending too little time outdoors. While some people react to the first signs of seasonal change around the […]
SALUTARY SOJOURNS
Although it’s been a few months since Glen and I went on a sojourn, we can easily recall the pleasure of our last one to Parksville and Victoria. Sojourns bring happiness in the planning and anticipation before departure, enjoyment at the destination, and in the memories to discuss once they’re over. Studies increasingly show that […]
LIVING OBITUARIES
Recently I had occasion to write a tribute on behalf of the McPhails to a longtime family friend, Nancy Power. Since Nancy attended the memorials of our Dad and Mom, true and loving friend that she’d been since 1958, the McPhail children were happy to send a few recollections to a celebration of her life. […]
DONATING ORGANS
Forty years ago I became an organ donor, on paper that is, by registering with the Kidney Foundation of Canada and the Eye Bank of Canada. I also volunteered to recruit new donors, which at the time was no easy task. Many people feared they would not receive the utmost care from doctors if their […]
MUSEUMS AS MEDICINE
Today is International Museum Day (IMD). Every year since 1977, the International Council of Museums has organized IMD to raise awareness that “museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.” In 2018 over 40,000 museums in 158 countries participated. In recent years […]
THE HAPPINESS PURSUIT
Happiness is a butterfly which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.” Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-64) Just as a butterfly has never landed on me, happiness continues to elude me, even when I sit quietly. Instead I follow measures recommended for feeling happy […]
WHAT’S IN OUR GENES?
Genetic-testing kits have become hot-selling items as gifts in recent years. For a reasonable cost, individuals can learn about their ancestry. A brother requested posts about controversial subjects. This might be one! Although I’ve neither given nor received a kit, I looked into the process and formed an opinion. As a boomer growing up in […]
INTERGENERATIONAL VACATIONS
With summer on the horizon, many of us start thinking about vacations. If we want to include other generations — adult children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews — in our plans, we need to confirm arrangements soon. Multi- or intergenerational vacations require a considerable effort in conceiving, coordinating, executing. I’m not talking about adult children visiting us […]
SPECIAL OCCASIONS: FETE OR FEAR?
I don’t have cherophobia, an aversion to happiness, but may have acquired a mild case of situational phobia, a fear of specific situations. As year-end nears, for instance, I anticipate the special occasions — Christmas, our wedding anniversary on Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve — and admit to feeling slightly anxious. Perhaps it’s because we cannot […]
LOSING A SIBLING
Laurie — my only sister and the eldest of seven children in our family — would have turned 70 this year. If she had not died suddenly, unexpectedly, at age 27. On International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (November 17), I recall the circumstances leading to Laurie’s disappearance from our lives. In May of 1975, […]