NANA SAYS BIRTHDAY CAKE IS FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES

The one celebration that is universal is the birthday! Everyone has one. It is a time where the individual has a special day and is honoured. At a recent reunion lunch, one of the teachers in the group was commenting how one of her students did not remember ever having a birthday cake. She makes an effort to try to celebrate her students' birthdays and felt she was becoming broke buying cakes for them.
Imagine not being able to celebrate with a simple cake! Of course, there are many places in the world where one meal a day is the norm. Children everywhere need and deserve the opportunity to celebrate and eat! For the adults-celebrating the milestone birthdays in a special way has become customary!
Birthdays need to be celebrated as a reflection of the blessing that we reached another age. Another year has occurred! For the little ones it will create family memories! Lots of photos with the child blowing out the candles is something in everyone's collection of pictures!

Cake- chocolate or vanilla, cupcake or slab style, lots of icing is always enjoyable! Of course today, I have a little grandson celebrating #4! Number four, you're a sweetheart we adore! Number 84, here's to lots more! Are you going to be celebrating someone's birthday today? Do you love the birthday cake and all the hoopla?

NANA SAYS GRADE ONE IS LOTS OF FUN

My granddaughter starts Grade One today. Everyone has been concerned that after Kindergarten is so much tougher with homework and a long day. We all went to Grade One at some point in our lives. I remember my Grade One teacher- Mrs. Morehouse at Pelmo Park Public School in North York. She seemed so old at the time. However, she was so gentle and sweet. I don't remember her yelling or centering out any children. I learnt to read and really enjoyed school. The teachers in the younger grades must have the patience for the range of differences in ability and academic knowledge. Some children are reading well and others are just getting started. To blend all those children together and help the class emerge is a huge responsibility. Here's to all the Mrs. Morehouses out there! Do you remember your Grade One teacher? Did you like school?

YOUR KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR

Are you a knight in shining armour? Do you try to rescue people when needed? It's not just in fairy tales or the Middle Ages long epic poems that find people that rescue us- our doctors, teachers, nurses, police and fire people, military personnel, parents and even the odd social worker or 2 can be our modern heros. They get paid anyway. There are so many ordinary people in our lives and world that make a difference for the good. It does not have to be anything too special or over the top. Kind words to the store clerk, a good morning when encountering someone near your home, holding the door for that gentleman with his arms full, well you get the picture! Make sure you are a good Knight and not a Black Knight! Do good more often because you don't want the armour to get rusty!

INSPIRATION

Is a wonderful word that conjuresup different meanings for different people. A stimulation for creative activity says the dictionary. We can be inspired by God, a teacher, a parent, a friend, an idea. Our own actions can inspire another to do a task, complete a dream. We all have been both in our lives- getting inspiration from someone or something or inspiring others to tackle their aspirations. Look beyond the mountain to the other side- it is waiting for you. Have you been inspired lately? Are you following a dream? Tell me your story!