Just $1.41 per liter was the price of gas this morning at Costco. I was quite delighted by that price but isn’t that crazy? It wasn’t all that long ago I was paying $1.09 or close to that. After picking up some gas I stopped at the store to pick up fresh bread and that was #1.49 for what I call a “short loaf”….it’s baked in the store but I remember my Mom sending me to the store with a quarter to get bread and coming home with change.

It was nice to see some pictures of Aiden, Laura and Mom together yesterday on Mom’s cruise ship. Family are so important. Let me write that again, family are SO important. I love our tribe, our branch of the Waters/Eastland clans. We are not many in number but the few of us that are around are important to me.

Family can drive you crazy—yes, it can—but that’s life, that’s family! I’ve been here for a while, and my view on life and people has changed quite a bit, but one thing that hasn’t changed is that family matters. One of the early memories I have is discovering at age 7 that my Dad had a sister who lived in Guelph. I then discovered later, around age 13, that he had a brother—both half-siblings.

Ida and her husband Chuck were not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination. Life was clearly one of working hard and being careful with money, but they were loving, kind and generous. They seemed to really love me – I remember their affection.

Speaking of family and affection I wish you could all join us for supper on Sunday evenings. Our tradition, now, of having supper together seemed well established and I hope it goes on forever. Yesterday Carlyle had a request. Could we have Chinese food? Of course and Phil and I drove to get our order, pick up dessert, and chat away.

After supper the kids had their baths, played for a bit and then headed to bed. Last evening, like most Sundays Fitz wanted “A Little Arthur” story. Now the history of that is really from the days when Philip was little and I would tell him stories a little boy who could build or repair anything, who drove machines and helped his neighbours and family. Now I do the same with Fitz and Paige and occasionally even Carlyle requests a story.

After our story last night Fitz cuddled up against me and asked if I would lay with him for a while. He pushed his back up against me and grabbed my arm and laid ever so quiet with his eye’s closed. I couldn’t help but think this is one of the most wonderful experiences a grandfather could have. I didn’t have this with my grandfathers or my grandmothers.

This is how you measure the richness of a life – family!

Speaking of family Jason and Celine are putting their families together and have bought a house that they are working to turn into a lovely home. They are spending a great deal of time in places like Home Depot as they get ready to make the move.