It’s unanimous with the world – everyone is ready for 2020 to end.
There’s a pervasive sentiment that folks can’t wait for the new year to arrive so we can gleefully kick the current one in the butt and be done with it.
Sadly, it’s all band-aid wishes on a wound needing a tourniquet. A flip of the calendar will not stop Covid19 from decimating our world. That’s going to take everyone working together, giving up a bit of their freedom and rights for the big picture adjustment needed.
We can do it. We just have to stop yelling and truly become our brothers’ (and sisters’) keepers. If we adopt a healing, helping mind-set 2021 might be the improved year we are hoping for.
Hopefully residents of B.C. will go back to being leaders in modelling the effort it takes to bend the curb back.
Normally my New Year’s column is a prediction filled blog – however many Angels still need mentioning from last week’s article. Here they are:
Al Paterson writes,” I nominate Gavin Hamilton of the Kelowna Rockets for helping me with great seats to a Rockets game this past season, and also for helping me surprise my brother-in-law with a gorgeous Rockets jersey with his name and favorite hockey number on the back. Gavin has always been a class act, and I appreciate his help since I couldn’t do it by myself because I now live in Grand Forks.”
Susan Marshall nominates brother David Prosser and wife Kendall. “They’re very involved in the community often mentoring up to five people each all the time! So many people have benefited from their kindness, knowledge and unconditional support. If someone needs a place to stay the doors are open. Their holiday tables often include many of their success stories, it’s really quite amazing and I am so incredibly proud of both of them!”
Carol Trenn nominates, “Cathy Haig and Julia Craig. At the beginning of the lockdown when the library closed I had finished reading my library books. Cathy and Julia generously loaned me a bag of books which I picked up at the end of their driveway. Since then I’ve borrowed quite a few books, wearing my mask and social distancing. Reading a book with a cup of coffee, my little dog on my lap, and TV on the nature music channel, is a way to escape Covid19 for a short time.”
Phyllis Litz nominates Clifton Highlands Community Association President Tara Godwin. “When we were under lockdown Tara sent out an email advising she would shop at Costco and Superstore for anyone that would like her assistance. Her suggestion that it was better for one person to be shopping rather than many made sense. This is not the first time Tara has stepped up to make a difference in our community. For the past few years she’s organized volunteer work groups to clear out forest fuel in our area. Her and her volunteers worked tirelessly and did an amazing job! She is conscientious about keeping our community connected, advising us on different neighbourhood matters.
“Tara is our energetic, enthusiastic neighbourhood Angel, always with a smile!”
Wilf Pauls lists Royal Lepage realtor Terry Courtney. “For over a year Terry kept a lookout for us, showed us over 20 places. He was trying to get us a decent place in Kelowna we could afford. He cared about so many parts of our move, made sure all the paper work went well, strata documents completed faster than expected. As we were emptying the Big Steel Box, guess who showed up in his work clothes to help us unpack? His wonderful wife, Janet came along side us with first class ideas on how to continue to improve this wonderful new home. This couple has helped many people, in many different ways. It’s not about the money but about meeting the needs of people in a cheerful, kind manner. Thank you, Terry and Janet.”
A few other community Angels nominated include Cam Fryer for shoveling several neighbour’s driveways on Centennial Crescent (nice touch), mechanic Theo Pauls for helping so many people out with their cars and keeping the tab very low, Ben Groener and Jim LeGuilloux for their community caring not only through their music but their mentoring of many young folks who need kind and clever direction.
On a personal note I have several angels including beloved brothers by choice Curtis Tulman, Jim Krahn, Josh Stilborn, John Carter and Dr. Graeme McCauley for their above and beyond willingness to help me out with so many things I can no longer do. Denturist Dr. Chambers for his brilliant work and advice.
At City Hall I want to thank Jan Johnston for all her kind, hard work and two councilors in particular for the little things they have done the past year – Mohini Singh for bringing me my council package often and Brad Sieben for rides home routinely.
Two readers were remarkably kind to me recently and I thank them: Arlene Huxtabull and Paul Mathon.
