Dear editor,
Jim and I have worked very hard over the last five years fulfilling a dream that our son Stephen had to help children in need.
We had no idea what “I need to help them Mommy!” meant.
We have met some incredibly dedicated volunteers and we could not have done any of this without their help.
From my personal experience, I have learned in 2010 that our health is very precious and as visionaries focused to help and reach out, we forget a very important thing. Our own health and well being is equally as important.
I have taken much time this season to think about this and to ponder, “What is a healthy balance?”
Our family has made a commitment to achieve more of that balance in 2011 by entering the kids into swimming lessons, joining the Inches A Weigh Challenge for eight weeks, family game night once a week, walking with my daughter three times a week to catch up on school life. We are also working even harder in the new year to collect backpacks, shoes and help families to get off the street.
It was through a conversation with Shelley at Inches A Weigh that I realized that I needed to achieve more balance.
Life is difficult for all of us. There are stresses beyond our control and stresses we can control.
To all of you outstanding volunteers in Airdrie, whatever your passion - remember you are a volunteer because you are priceless in all that you do.
People like you make Airdrie the compassionate, united and wonderful place that it is to live in.
As you look after others, be good to yourself, take some time to reflect, keep some quiet faith-filled times, cherish family moments and never forget how valuable you are to humanity.
Happy New Year,
Nancy and Jim McPhee, Airdrie
