Ottawa Homecoming!

A big THANK YOU to family and friends who came out in droves to support the “home team.” There are many ties that bind us to Ottawa. We lived there for a dozen years. It is the birthplace of our elder daughter, and the home of my parents, brother and some of our closest and dearest friends. The welcome began with a beautiful bouquet of flowers awaiting us at the book launch. Thank you Judith and John! Then about 70 people poured into the elegant Nicolas Hoare bookstore and quickly stripped the store of copies of the book. There were many role models to celebrate. Three of my role models - Laurier, Ricardo and Blair were there - looking very dashing – as was my father. (See photo above.) Several friends of my parents (also role models) came to support me, and some friends brought their own role models. All in all - a most celebratory crowd!

While in Ottawa I was a guest on CBC’s Ontario Today phone-in show with host Bill Brown. The topic was Aging and they asked the listening audience, “What kind of old person do you want to be?” People phoned-in with terrific examples of their role models and the half-hour flew by.

Here are more examples of wonderful feedback.

Bonnie writes: “The way you integrated the interviews with your extensive research, general eclectic knowledge, and especially your personal journey can only be appreciated by someone else who has attempted that kind of editing—how hard it is to achieve the balance and tone which makes us put ourselves on the journey with you. You did it!! I’ve asked my husband to read the book next because I want to talk about lots we have to think about—where we live, what each of us does next, whether we are putting our temporal and fiscal and physical resources in the best places. Looking forward to that continuing dialogue.”

Lynn writes: “The best awareness you have given me is the importance of a challenging, creative interest that is up to me and mine alone, to share when asked or should I not be able to keep to myself any longer.”