First Person

Confessions of a reformed conversation-dominator

As a first-time dad starting parental leave, I had a lot to learn

Watching an old TV series is helping me to forgive my immigrant parents

Instead of trying to ‘find myself,’ I let everyday wonders find me when travelling

What would you pack if you were suddenly told to evacuate your home?

I’ve learned to embrace vulnerability during my cancer treatment

In the Philippines, I dreamed of playing in the snow. Then I moved to Canada

I’m moving on from my old friends but will always cherish our shared history

So much for castles. Our kids connected to their Scottish heritage in a souvenir shop

Dry January reminds me that being ‘dry’ is not the same as being sober

Our annual First Day Feast starts the year off right

Euchre is the card game that keeps us together

Long walks with my stepfather brought us together later in life

At UVic, I fell in love with the precise language of biology

Our first Christmas apart stung as we divided up the holiday hour by hour

The carollers who brought joy and music to Mum’s last Christmas

No. More. Turkey. I’ve had it with cooking the big bird

The storm that almost wiped out Christmas taught me a lot about people

When playing Santa, I have one fleeting moment to convey the right message to children

My Secret Santa surprise taught me a lot about people – and the power of small gestures

Learning to listen with equanimity is the first step on the road to healing

A shift toward diversity forced me to speak up for my name

Each time I return to Ireland, I draw strength from its ever-changing light

Losing a tree so soon after my Mom helped me see her a little better

I didn’t want to tell anyone I had cancer (so I could pretend my life was normal)

Brisket, latkes and knish: Jewish food that connects me to my family’s past

A ‘wind phone’ speaks to the heart, not the head

Toronto, I just can’t support your major league teams any more

I’ll never get rid of my old address book – it’s a road map of my life

My partner needs my kidney but can I handle being a living donor?

My child has changed but my love has not

Technically, I’m a senior but I’m very good at hiding it