The Annual Holiday Letter
It is time for my annual Boyd Family Holiday Letter. It usually goes into the cards that get sent out but as those cards are becoming fewer and fewer, it makes more sense to share the letter here and on social media. -- Merry Christmas
Happy Holiday's from the Boyd's - December 2015
"I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love." - Linus Van Pelt
Every year we have a tradition here in our home. We watch the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. This year Charlie's holiday opus is Fifty years old! Where has the time gone? It seems that busy lives have an affect on time, doesn't it? But busy is good.
In 2015 our family counted down to September where all three of our lives changed dramatically. In September Harrison left for Ontario to go to school. He is attending my alma mater Fanshawe College and is taking Music Industry Arts. The three of us had a chance for a fun family trip as we packed the truck and headed west. We are so grateful for the welcome and support we received from family and friends in London. Lorraine and I know Harrison is in good hands and has help he might need. Both Lorraine and I are very proud of him and what he has accomplished so far. He is working very hard and as results come in we can see that it is paying off.
So as empty nesters we looked to fill our time. As usual, Lorraine is the "cruise director", making sure I don't spend too much time in the house. Lots of hikes with good friends, camping and the occasional dance have taken up much of our time. Some of you may know that the NS Government did a little shake up back in the spring and Lorraine's department was closed. A few weeks later she was placed into a new department. The job was very different from her old one but Lorraine has a way of putting her head down and getting the job done attitude. Her hard work and patience paid off. The department of Municipal Affairs inherited much of her old work and in October she interviewed for the brand new position of REN & BRE Program Coordinator. So she is back doing what she does best.
Of course travel and vacations play a part in our lives. We did our usual camping this summer but this year's special trip was four days to New York City over the US Thanksgiving Holiday. It's funny, this is the third time we have been on vacation during this holiday. It always makes for an interesting time. In New York we took a boat cruise on the Hudson. Our boat left just a few hundred yards from where "Sully" Sullenberger brought that plane down a few years ago. We got up close with the Statue of Liberty. On dry land we went to the top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center), walked by the NBC studios. Of course we spent a lot of time in Times Square, visited Central Park and the Museum of Modern Art. We also went to Ground Zero to see the memorial. I found myself getting very emotional. You can't help but feel that way when you stand there watching the waterfall memorial. We got to see Kinky Boots on Broadway starring Wayne Brady. Lots of fun. Lorraine even got to visit the NYC Cake Boss location for some treats. We ended our visit at the Brooklyn Diner, a favorite hang out for Jerry Seinfeld and Nathan Lane. It was a great visit with my old friend Utpal who I had not seen in 15 years. It was a definite highlight for me. Then it was back to reality and home to NS.
The world is so much smaller than it was when I was younger. Recent events should give us all pause. We look for answers and pray for peace. Take the time to let others know you love and care for them. Embrace opportunities to get to know strangers and don't ever give up on any of us. The world may be a little fractured right now but healing is possible. That power is within each and every one of us.
Season's Greeting and Bless you all.
Mike, Lorraine and Harrison
