I would like to share with you the chronicles that happened to me over the last couple of days – now that I have my emotions in check. If you are missing loved ones who have passed away, I hope this detailed accounting will boost your faith that your loved ones can get through to you from Heaven.1.1.   Late this past Monday afternoon after putting in a 12 hour day, I was exhausted so I did what I have been doing since David passed, swiping reels while relaxing. It passes the time as the evenings are lonely without my husband. A singer on Britain’s Got Talent, Stacey Leadbeatter, hit me with a ton of bricks. I didn’t even know I was crying until the song was over. No other song, ever, has had that type of effect on me. I set her performance on ‘replay’ and watched it for over 2 ½ hours. Every single time I listened, I got chills – the good ones. My iPhone seemed to ramp up the performance – the volume was louder than usual, even though it was on max and it sounded like I was watching her live. A very emotional experience.

2.   I finally went to bed, but woke up at 2 AM. Just as I came to, I heard these lyrics from the song (Run, by Leona Lewis) in my mind – ‘Even if you cannot hear my voice, I’ll be right beside you dear, light up, light up, as if you have a choice’ Do you know what David always called me? “Dear”. Sure, he called me by name to get my attention, or when we were doing business with clients – but 99.99% of the time it was “Dear”. In the line ‘light up, light up as if you have a choice’ – David would say that to me, “as if you have a choice” when I wound up talking to a bunch of people rather than fading into the background – which is what I prefer – David would say, “I know, but you don’t have a choice, it’s instinct that makes people want to chat with you and you can’t change that.” Those lyrics resonate incredibly high with me. Yesterday, while working, I had it on replay again as I was cleaning up a few chores on my laptop. I am thrilled that she is releasing ‘Run’ on December 7^th.

3.   Mid-afternoon yesterday, I decided I needed a rest. I was thinking about what to have for supper and this popped into my head – go to Smitty’s and order breakfast for dinner. Huh? Aside from my daily Ensure, the only time I eat breakfast is when we are on vacation. I know I have NEVER ordered breakfast for dinner – but David did, all the time. Upon waking after a short nap, I ran with it and went to Smitty’s for breakfast. I sat leisurely eating my meal and scrolling. When I was finished eating, my lovely server told me that my bill had been taken care of – someone had paid for it. She didn’t know the person, but, said, “They just asked me to tell you to pay it forward.” They even left a tip! Well guess what! Paying for someone’s meal was always our thing. Our kids loved surveying the restaurant and picking out the table that we should pick up the bill for and would tell our server “Please tell them that we don’t know them and to simply pay it forward.” We picked up a tab in December of last year for a family of 4 at Swiss Chalet. We were sitting adjacent to a family and heard a young boy say, “This is so good. I wish we could eat this more.” I don’t remember the dad’s response but he made it clear, in a gentle way, that eating out was something they could only do once in a while. We had just gotten to the car when David told me he would just be a moment as he went back into Swiss Chalet. He returned a short time later and I asked him if he forgot his phone. He said, “No. I got the family three $50 gift cards so they can get out a little more often. It was such a sweet thing to do.

Here is the link to Stacey’s cover of ‘Run’ by Leona Lewis. You will NEVER forget her singing that song.

https://youtu.be/szoM2gwNt5Q?si=ZyY5nii6lREom05s

Well, there you have it and thanks for reading. After a visit from David’s spirit (the most mind blowing thing I have ever experienced) then the sign he sends for Hannah, Misty, Sharon and myself when we are together have made me 100% sure, absolutely positive, with no doubt that David can get to me from another dimension.

These occurrences have left me awestruck (cannot describe how I feel in words) and I know David is there – just beyond the veil nudging me forward – until we meet again…..

Postscript:

I did have a visit from David’s Spirit a couple of weeks after he crossed over. Just like Stephanie Leadbetter’s voice, I can’t find a word to describe that either, even with a prolific vocabulary. I have shared my encounter on a group site and found that many other spouses have had very similar experiences.

In my spare time - humph – not much of that – I need more of me to get the work done and I am fighting three antibiotic resistant bacteria – again. I am writing a paper detailing – the best way I can – my happenstances in order to show other spouses what to look for as signs their partner is trying to get through in nondescript ways. I will share it when I am finished. It will also demonstrate how my faith told me that David was in Heaven. But, after actually being enveloped in his spirit, it left not one smidgen of a doubt. Posting this when completed will, hopefully, give people the reassurance they need to be sure there is a Heaven and their loved ones are there.

 

 

 

SAMPLE PIECES for

Eulogies/Obituaries

Professionally penned and available at this link

https://ko-fi.com/paulinemilner/commissions 

Extended Obituary Example:

 

After a beautiful life lived, Harold Angus Petrie passed on to Heaven peacefully on the evening of March 31^st, 2021.

Harold was born on April 25^th, 1949 to John and Annie Petrie. He grew up in Marlin, Oklahoma and moved to Barton, Illinois when he and Susan married then to Lisbon, Florida after his retirement in 2014. His favorite recreation time was spent at their family’s cottage and cruising the lake in their catamaran in Palm Lake, Illinois where Harold and his family vacationed every summer.

 His career as an independent accountant afforded him the opportunity to give his clients exceptional service and they admired his dedication and his attention to the smallest details.

He spent time as a coach of the Ramblers little league baseball team in the 1980s and 1990s. One night, on a dark highway near Bains, Illinois, Harold learned that the ‘E’ on the gas tank gauge did not mean ‘enough’ leading to a prolonged trip where the other van they were traveling with had to set out in search of gas.

 Harold was very involved with his children’s activities as they were growing up. He faithfully kept the statistics for their basketball teams, drove players along hours of road trips to play in tournaments, and went along as a chaperone on their school trips to New York and California in addition to assisting them with endless school projects throughout their education.

 A lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs and with his children being unwavering Yankees fans  it made it interesting for Harold and he took much ribbing about cheering for the Cubs, though he did have a kindred spirit in his sister, Hazel.

Together, Harold and Susan raised two children, Shawn and Samantha. Annual vacations were fun-filled times, always with new adventures. In addition to time spent at the family cottage in the summer, they traveled to the U.K and Italy. Their children were always thrilled when they took a week each year to travel to theme parks around the country. During their travels, they did many activities together which included horseback riding, an air boat ride in the Florida Everglades, roadside picnics and exploring many national parks.

Like his father, Shawn became an accountant. He left his long term employment with a large firm to take over Harold’s clients when he retired. Samantha is an accomplished writer with many works credited to her. Shawn’s two sons, Gregory and Carter, love all things sports with soccer being by far their favorite. Samantha’s daughter, Amelia, loves ballet and has had lead roles in several local productions.

Harold’s last six-and-a-half weeks were challenging after a shocking diagnosis of Stage 4 Liver cancer that had spread to his bones. This was complicated by his severe Osteoarthritis. Through the truly appreciated help from incredible caregivers, nurses, doctors, family and friends, he was able to remain at home until his last day – which was his wish – duly fulfilled. Both Harold and Susan credit the dedication of those amazing people who gave him the best quality of life possible and they could not have asked for anything more.

 Harold is survived by his loving and devoted wife Susan, children Shawn (Marianna) Petrie and Samantha (Randall) Court as well as his grandchildren, Gregory and Carter Petrie and Amelia Court.  Also mourning his passing are his sister, Karen Wainwright and his sister-in-law, Christina Petrie. In addition, he will be missed and forever remembered by an extended network of family and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, John and Annie Petrie, his brother, Henry Petrie and his brother-in-law, Alex Wainwright.

 Arrangements have been entrusted to McLellan’s Funeral Home, Lisbon, Florida where visitation will take place on Friday, April 2^nd from 2 PM to 4 PM. Harold’s funeral will be held on Saturday, April 3^rd at 1 PM at the funeral home. Interment will take place in Illinois at a later date.

Donations in memory of Harold to the Lisbon Museum Association or to a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family.

 

 

Portrait of a Life

Karen Smith

 

If you knew Karen Smith, then you will not be surprised that we have already celebrated her life.

When Karen found out that the cancer ravaging her pancreas was terminal, she spent her remaining time planning and throwing a memorable party where she could enjoy the company of her family and friends one more time. Her philosophy was – ‘Why come to my funeral? Make time to visit with me when I am alive!’

So it came to fruition that three short weeks ago, everyone gathered to share joyful reminisces, look through photos of days gone past and sat down to a delicious dinner - with Karen at the center of it all.

Tuesday, May 6^th, was Karen’s last day with us. She passed quietly just at twilight but the welcoming she received when she crossed over was surely celebratory beyond imagination with the harmony of choruses sung by the Angels.

Our broken hearts at her loss will be mended knowing that she is free of the pain that kept her from doing the many things she loved and that her soul lives on for an eternity. We will all continue moving forward with Karen watching over us.

Karen graduated from Mount Garrauount High School and went on to earn a degree in business administration. She spent the entirety of her working life with BLK Communications where her career led her from a receptionist to head of human resources. 

She championed the importance of respect between co-workers and made it a priority to settle workplace conflicts expeditiously which often required accommodations for those involved.

Outside of her employment, she continued her talent for dispute resolution whenever an issue arose. Her advice was always appreciated and she used ‘common ground’ to develop her many personal relationships. Karen carried no prejudices and always went by the adage, ‘If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.’

Karen’s life was chronicled by her many adventures shared with family and friends. From her senior high school year class trip to New York City to the many vacations with her husband and children, Karen loved to travel. Visits to places nearby her home as well as overseas gave her a chance to experience how the locals live.

Her and her traveling companions would usually forgo the organized excursions and set off on their own to explore the area. She said the locals always knew where to find the best restaurants and the phenomenal hidden gems.

Both her family and friends were the building blocks she used to create an extended support system that was important as she faced her last few months in excruciating pain and the weakening of her physical and mental abilities.

Karen leaves behind a memory of her in the heart of everyone she loved. These remembrances will get them through the tough times ahead.

We thank each person who made Karen’s final days comfortable. We will not post a list identifying you all as we would surely forget to include someone.

Left here to carry on her legacy is her husband of 48 years, Kevin, and her children, Amanda (Gregory Townsend) and Alexander (Orillia) Smith. She also leaves her sister, Maryann (the late Shawn Cavet), her brother, Curtis (Susanna) and their children, Rory and Lacy Townsend and Sara Cavet.

Karen’s family that went on before her was her parents, George and Mabel Garnett, her infant sister Diana along with several aunts, uncles and extended family members.

Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held June 6^th at 2:00 PM at Fairfield Cemetery with a time of fellowship to follow at The Gathering Place on Rosewood Avenue.

 

Basic Obituary Example

 

Louise (Creighton) Johnson, 82, of Connelly Creek in Dover, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on May 14^th, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Louise was born in Nashville, Tennessee to the late Bert and Sara Creighton.

After graduating high school, Louise went on to teach elementary school until her retirement in 2008. Her and her beloved husband, Terence, made their home in Dover where they raised their three children. Louise loved to make homemade crafts as gifts at Christmas. She was a member of the Dover Senior’s Group where everyone looked forward to her delicious pies when they had pot-luck suppers.

Louise is survived by her son, Christopher (Lauren) Johnson and daughters, Anna (Bruce) Boyce and Emily (Sean) Seaver and grandchildren Margaret-Ann Johnson, Michael Johnson, Caleb Boyce and Carson Seaver along with her fur-baby Duke.

Besides her parents, Louise was predeceased by her husband, Terence, and her sisters Laveena Gregory (the late Robert) and Laura Huntley (the late John).

Following Louise’s wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be a memorial informal gathering at Cassidy Hall, Dover, Mass. on Monday, May 19^th from 2 PM to 4 PM. All are invited to attend.

Internment will take place at Grace Cemetery at a later date.

Donations in memory of Louise may be made to your local SPCA or the charity of your choice.

“What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller

 

Adieu

Katherine Watson

 

        If my beloved granddaughter, Grace, is reading this memoir aloud then I have seen my last tomorrow. This is my final journal entry, my own eulogy, saving everyone the anxiety of figuring out what to say now that I have passed on to whatever comes next.

        My promise to every one of you, given at different times – I could not vow that I would be here for the rest of your life, but I pledged to be here for the rest of mine – now duly fulfilled.

        I knew five months ago that the diagnosis of Glioblastoma would ensure I would not live to comb grey hair. Please understand that I did not share this with you earlier as I wanted the time I had left to be normal and without my loved ones starting to grieve prior to my passing. Before my symptoms became most troubling, we had time to say our last words before I knew I would slip into a coma then gently drift away. I know as my next journey approaches, those last days will likely find me sometimes incoherent with my responsiveness fading in and out. It was the disease that ravaged my brain, but my soul still remembered your friendship and your love.

        It was July 22^nd, 2015 and we were all enjoying our family reunion. Planning that special weekend was made all the more sweet because everyone who wanted to be there were able to attend. Those five days filled with BBQs, playing washers and horseshoes along with the entertainment of you all belting out your favorite tunes via karaoke made memories, well documented with photos and videos, that will last all of you a lifetime.

        On September 1^st, 2019, we were able to pull off another reunion where our family and friends spent a magical 10 days at Disney World. We put on a lot of miles park-hopping, enjoying shows and were even able to score two nights where all of us could dine together. It has warmed my heart to look at all of the photos taken by Disney photographers. They truly documented our Disney adventures so we didn’t have to see one another from behind a camera lens. I am sure you all remember and smile, or even giggle, when you think about the epic water blaster competition that took us in and out of the resort. It was great that the staff enjoyed the battle as much as we did – They had a super time pointing out which corner someone was hiding around.

        Over my years as a resident on this planet, I have learned a lot about our species when it comes to being a happy and productive citizen. As well, I have taken advice, given in kind, that has made life easier and more enjoyable. Here, I give you bits I have used that made me a better person in addition to helping me become acclimatized to the challenges we face during our time on earth. Here, I will pass on words of wisdom and advice that were present throughout my life and this is a more fitting way, I think, to say my farewell.

Please do not practice what John Steinbeck described as ‘inactive kindness’. When you tell someone you will be there if they need you or that you will visit more often, make good on those commitments. Many times, people already have an excuse ready, in regards to why they can’t help, before someone even calls on them. Consider your priorities carefully and reorder them if needed. Being there when someone calls on you trumps the errands you were planning to do that day or the two hours you were going to spend reading.

Always engage your brain before you speak – in any situation. You can apologize for saying words, but they can never be unsaid. Also, note that the phrase ‘forgive and forget’ is inaccurate. You can always forgive someone but you can’t forget what happened.

Be careful of what makes its’ way into your brain. You cannot ‘unsee’ an atrocity shown in an online video as much as you can’t ‘unhear’ the howls of an injured animal. Don’t ignore the bad that is in this world – it needs to be addressed – but take the time to look for the good. When you have more positivity in your life than negativity, both your mental and physical health will benefit.

Give your loved ones ‘unconditional love’ and guard their secrets. Everyone needs someone in their life that they can trust who will not turn their confidences into gossip. Be that person.

I will conclude with a bible verse and poem that you can use to help you through your grief – yes THROUGH your grief. There is no way around allowing yourself to grieve. You cannot outrun it as it will be nipping at your ankles no matter how fast you run away. Let yourself heal, cry when you need to – letting that emotion out is a good thing – think about me, but keep putting one foot in front of the other. Grief can drain you of energy and rob you of sleep – Please get counseling if sorrow is dragging you down so you can live a full and happy life.

My faith is strong and I am there, just beyond the veil – nudging you forward when life gets tough, perched on your shoulder and stroking your cheek when tears flow and being your best cheerleader from the other side.

Until we meet again…

From the Bible, Corinthians 13:13 – And now these three remain: faith hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

 

A beautifully written poem by Mary Lee Hall:

 

Turn Again to Life

 

If I should die and leave you here a while

be not like others – sore, undone – who keep

long vigils by the silent dust and weep.

For my sake – turn again to life and smile,

Nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do

something to comfort weaker hearts than thine.

Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine

and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

 

 

More Than A Pie or Jack-O-Lantern:

Let’s Talk Pumpkins

       

        Whether it’s before, during or after Halloween, pumpkins are versatile and have many different uses.

        While it will always be traditional to bake a pumpkin pie and carve out a pumpkin in order to place a candle inside to light up the spooky Jack-O-lantern, the lowly pumpkin has too many uses to stop there.

        Here are suggestions to make your holiday more ‘pumpkiny’.

 

·         If your kids or even people in nursing or special care homes want to stick with having Jack-O-Lanterns, cut down on the mess and possibility of injury by getting creative. Let them draw the faces on the pumpkins or use white glue or even tacks to decorate the faces with the shapes, sizes and colours your provide. If you still want to carve a face, use battery powered candles instead of real ones.

·         Mix the pumpkins with gourds and fall foliage to make a table center piece or to decorate a hall table runner. You may choose a larger pumpkin for the centerpiece surrounded by various gourds intermixed with fall branches or foliage tied together with a fall themed ribbon. Fill and add a bowl full of apples on each side of the pumpkin and your theme will pop even more with colour.

·         Add a flare of fall to your place settings. Whether it is for a private dinner party or a wedding, small pumpkins with the addition of a name printed right on the pumpkin, or with a toothpick stuck into the pumpkin with the name attached to the toothpick, they add a touch of fall to the table.

·         Get two or three small pumpkins and gourds (depending on how many kids you have). On a nature walk pick up things such as fallen leaves, tree bark, pine cones, thin sticks and maybe even pick up some corn husks. Purchase several different fall colour themed paints. Put plastic or a sheet over your table to protect it. Cut the pumpkins and gourds into various pieces of variable sizes. Put the paint in shallow dishes. Give the kids a blank canvas and let them each create a fall scene by dipping the items in different paints to make designs and using the twigs to paint with. You can proudly display their creations in a grouping on a wall. Have them ‘sign’ their paintings with a hand print and be sure to write the date on the back.

·         If you are hosting a Halloween party, use a pumpkin or two to hold the ice. Remove the insides of the pumpkin, add a plastic bag and store your ice – complete with a cover!

·         Draw black eyes on a pumpkin and cover it with a white sheet with the holes cut out for the eyes and you have a ‘ghost pumpkin’ decoration.

·         Use strips of old rags with some glue to hold them in place, again cutting out the black eye holes and you have a ‘mummy pumpkin’ decoration.

·         Looking for a kids Halloween Party game? Try pumpkin bowling. Paint 5-10 2 Litre plastic soda or water bottles white, drawing two eyes and an oval elongated mouth on the face. (Tip – Save time and fill them with white stuffing or cotton balls). Try to find smaller pumpkins that are uniform in size to use as bowling balls. Fetch some score cards and let the games begin!

 

Heather Stone of Sackville, N.B., went to a fall festival years ago where participants carved the pulp out of giant pumpkins. In their individual pumpkins, they had a race on the water in the vessels that actually floated.

 

A preschool teacher from Saint John, N.B., Karisma Page, sometimes hollows out a pumpkin and uses it to make a Halloween themed volcano for her students.

 

After Halloween

 

        When the spooky time is over, give your pumpkin a continued use with some of these ideas:

 

·         Think bird feeders! Cut off the top part of the pumpkin to make it shallower for the birds to easily reach inside. Add their favourite birdseed and treat them to some pumpkin seeds too.

·         Use pumpkins as fall planters for your fall flowers, including colourful mums, to decorate your doorstep or porch.

·         Trim down your existing centerpiece to fall foliage with the empty pumpkin as the vase. (Tip – Place a cutting board or other protection under the pumpkin vase to avoid moisture damage to your table)

·         If no longer using it, remember to add your pumpkin to the compost bin instead of sending it to the landfill.

·         Your local zoo may appreciate a donation of left over pumpkins as a treat for their animal residents.

·         Save some of the unroasted seeds and store them in a cool, dry place over the winter. In the spring, start growing your own pumpkins!

 

Don’t forget your pets

 

Posted on the site ‘Bella and Duke’, Jude McCoy reminds us that pumpkins and their seeds are healthy nutritional supplements for our dogs and cats.

 

·         Roasted pumpkin seeds are good for your dogs and cats too!

·         Slice the seeds into manageable bite size pieces that fit your pet after being roasted.

·         Seeds can also be ground into a powder and served over their food as a special nutritional bonus.

·         Remember to chop up the pumpkin pulp into bite size pieces as it can be difficult to swallow due to its stringy nature.

·         Pumpkin insides and seeds are a great source of zinc, fiber, among others.

·         You can also simmer the raw pumpkin pulp on the stove. It will boil down so you may need to add water during this process. When the pulp is well combined and boiled down to about half, it can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks.

·         Pumpkin pulp is also a natural remedy for occasional loose stools.

 

Tradition is okay too

 

          Even if you decide to go with the classic custom of picking out pumpkins with your family and then carving them together, that is certainly okay too.

        All the time spent away from a screen in order to spend family time together can only strengthen the bonds between you and make lasting memories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9|11 - Requiem for the 10 Second Falls

 

        Whether you stood on a sidewalk in Manhattan or watched via live television as the disbelieving seconds of September 11th, 2001 ticked by, you may have witnessed what you thought, at first, was debris falling from the upper floors of the World Trade Center buildings only to slowly realize it was not inanimate objects, but people. It has been reported that as many as 200 victims jumped or fell to their deaths, but their mode of dying has remained almost unspeakable, even a quarter of a century later. Perhaps it is time to confront the unsettling truth and give those souls a final voice.

        Conditions on the upper floors must have been horrendous. Though the jet fuel would have burned off within minutes, the contents of those offices would have given off toxic smoke the kind of which stings eyes and sears lungs with each breath. It was reported by one family member that their loved one "couldn't move", a phrase which sounds ominous when considering the circumstances. Were they pinned in by pieces of the airplane or fallen debris or boxed in by a wall of flames? It is expected if they could have bettered their situation, they most certainly would have. For those who fell from the towers, they provide, perhaps, the most insight into the dire predicaments caused when airliners ripped through office space.

        Some may have clung to a small hope of survival as they repurposed table cloths or drapes as makeshift parachutes. Others, unaware, ignoring, or oblivious to the laws of physics, may have envisioned outstretched arms at the bottom, catching them seconds before hitting the ground. Though hope may have trumped logic, most would have known that jumping meant certain death.

        So, why then do people shun any talk of those who leapt from the windows?  Possibly, it is because we think those victims epitomize a horror that is too much to bear even though their fate was the same as those who perished in the collapse as one floor pancaked onto the next. However, maybe we should be looking at them in a different light, one that can give us all strength even in the direst of situations.

        Terrorists may have orchestrated the fate of almost 3000 people, but, by stepping out into the cool fall air, giving them one last pure breath; those who jumped on September 11th, 2001 decided how and when they would die. 

        Some have felt compelled to identify those who fell from the towers but maybe it is good that no one can really be sure who the individuals were in those grainy images. Collectively, those victims demonstrate that even if someone else's actions seem to dictate the outcome of any situation, some form of control can still be mustered.

         When we think of their silent journeys, we should remember the last 10 seconds of life for each person who jumped as acts of defiance when faced with an impossible choice. Their very public way of dying shows how they took some power away from the hijackers that day, a final act that should never be forgotten.

 

 

 

Through the Years:

Why Labor Day matters and why you should care

        Keeping our lives moving in perpetual motion and maintaining an orderly society would not be possible without the workers that layer every aspect of our world.

        No matter how technology keeps pushing us forward, people will always be needed to develop the strategies with workers implementing their visions.

        Some employees are openly valued with appreciation for a job well done with a simple thank you and covet raises and bonuses while others schlep daily to and from their place of work without even a nod of thanks from colleagues they meet.

        A special day set aside for members of the workforce that began with great celebration has seemingly been mostly downgraded to a long weekend marking the unofficial end of summer and the start of a new school year.

        Perhaps an informative history lesson will turn the tide back toward the real meaning of Labor Day – acknowledgement and gratitude for the workers that keep the wheels turning.

        In the year 1894, Labor Day officially became a holiday in Canada but its inception took over 20 years to come to fruition.

        Beginning in January, 1872, what was penned as the ‘9 Hour Movement’ was an effort to reduce working twelve hours a day to nine. Also known as the ‘9 Hour Workday’ and ‘Nine Hour League’, it was initially unsuccessful but the leaders who began the movement should not be delegated to the annals of Canada’s history books but rather continue to be celebrated. Were it not for their efforts, the benefits now taken for granted by workers, such as legislated vacation time, fair wages and hours may not exist today.

        Knowing the existence of strength in numbers and collaborative efforts, four main leaders travelled between Canadian cities drumming up support.

        James Black, an employee with Grand Trunk Railway in Montreal; James Ryan, an engineer with Great Western Railway in Hamilton together with John Hewitt, a cooper (one who makes or repairs casks or tubs) and J. S. Williams, a printer from Toronto, led the charge.

        Black became the leader of Montreal’s ‘Nine Hour League’ that included 2,000 members.

        In a show of solidarity, ‘Nine Hour Leagues’ were formed across Canada with union and non-unionized workers standing shoulder to shoulder toward the same goal – better working conditions and rights for all.

        On March 25^th, 1872, it was the Toronto Typographical Union (TTU) that went on strike after soliciting and been denied a change from the 12 hour, six day work week to a nine hour day by Globe Publisher George Brown.

        A full fifth of Toronto’s population attended a rally to support what became known of the ‘9 Hour Movement’.

        With Union movement’s illegal under Canadian law, strike organizers were arrested for committing criminal conspiracy.

        Toronto’s support for workers did not go unnoticed by Ottawa who, on September 3^rd, 1872, organized a conglomerate of seven unions who, together, led a parade that stretched for more than a mile. Ottawa’s fire fighters marched, led by an artillery band.

        Surely by design, the procession swept past the house of Prime Minister Sir John A. MacDonald.

        MacDonald, determined to abolish the “barbarous laws” used to incarcerate Toronto’s TTU workers, championed the Trade Union Act the passage of which protected and legalized union activity within Canada.

        Despite the fact that ‘Nine Hour Leagues’ eventually became defunct, they did lay the foundation for the formation of the Canadian Labor Union (CLU) in April, 1873.

        Leading up to the CLU, workers fought long and hard battles to obtain concessions such as rights to form and be members in trade unions along with changing legislation that had previously prevented them from taking action against their employers.

        After the establishment of Labor Day, great planning went into celebrating all workers and their contributions to society.

        Across Canada, on the first Monday of September, in cities, towns and villages, citizens marched in parades followed by a day of speeches, entertainment, community picnics and specially dedicated church services. Sports also figured prominently with lacrosse matches and various footraces. Among the activities, workers were reminded of their rights by prominent banners and posters being carried in the parades and displayed throughout the festivities.

        By the 1950s, parties mixed with a day of leisure became the norm and while parades are still held, Labor Day is not paid the significance it once held.

        Even with the festivals being downgraded over past generations, Labor Day has spawned other traditions and beliefs.

        Canadian Football League’s Labor Day Classic is held over the long weekend, adding fun competitiveness for fans across the country.

        Since 2005, motorcycle enthusiasts have flocked to Digby, Nova Scotia for the annual Wharf Rat Rally which runs for five days beginning on the Wednesday before Labor Day.

        In the cultural sector, Labor Day has also had influence. Owing to changes in acceptable social norms, the once hard and fast rule of not wearing white clothes after Labor Day has fallen by the wayside.

        While not official events representing Labor Day, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) held in Toronto and the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) held in Vancouver are highly anticipated annual festivals attracting visitors from across Canada and beyond. Attendees enjoy entertaining shows, rides and delicious eats reminiscent of early Labor Day revelry.

        Even as modernization has given way to automation, society can never function without human hands.

        No matter how you choose to spend Labor Day 2026, taking place on September 7th this year, take a moment to pause and think of how we got here and the strife endured by so many to earn workers the rights and respect they all deserve.

       

       

       

       

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I transferred to a new company, my co-worker delivered my final pay stub. We've now been married for over 25 years.

 

When I transferred to a new company, my co-worker delivered my final pay stub. We’ve now been married for over 25 years.

 How can you work with someone for years and not know they are the love of your life?

·        My future husband and I were often alone but there was never a spark of romance

·        In the span of three months, I got a new office and a new fiancé

 

I have read and heard about ‘love at first sight’ many times, but my true love story is somewhere on the other end of the spectrum.

When I worked as an insurance agent for a brokerage, David was the CFO (Chief Financial Officer). We saw one another most days and occasionally were the only ones working in the building when the official workday had ended, but reams of paperwork still covered our desks.

 After a phone call from a client got on my last nerve, it wasn’t unusual for me to grab a cold soft drink and hide in his office for half an hour.

 

I got to sit on David’s lap every year at the staff Christmas party when he played Santa and handed out gag gifts.

 

You don’t ‘need’ your pay stub

I liked my job, but I knew a good deal when I saw it. An offer of a third more than I was making as a base salary? Higher commission and owning part of my book of business? Yes, please! After giving my notice, I took the summer off, excited to dive deeper into the insurance industry.

On the following Friday, around noon, my doorbell rang. David looked a little sheepish when I answered the door. He said, “I thought I would drop off your pay stub.” I invited him in for lunch which turned out to be a couple of subs, quickly thrown together.

When payday came at my former office, David would deliver everyone’s pay stub to their desk. Mine went right into the paper shredder. I let my accountant figure out my income and deductions come tax time.

 After an hour of jovial conversation, David reluctantly said he needed to get back to the office. Insurance agents could keep whatever hours they wanted but the CFO, not so much.

 There may be echoes of it being written for a daytime drama, but it’s all true

 As he reached the door, David turned around, car keys slipping out of his hand. We each bent over to pick them up, our eyes meeting and locking together as we stood upright again.

A few uncomfortable seconds passed before David leaned in for a kiss that lasted for several minutes. When the hottest kiss I had ever had was over, he fumbled over the words, “I should…”

At the same time, I said, “You’ll call?” David told me he would call and as he headed back to his car, I leaned against the door. Whoa, I thought. Where the heck did that come from?

Typically, if two people willingly share a kiss, it won’t make either of them angry

I expected David would call maybe the next week, giving me time to absorb what had happened and what it meant. It turned out that I didn’t have that much time.

David’s number came up on my phone later that evening and I answered tentatively. “I just wanted to make sure you weren’t mad at me for, you know, what happened today,” he said.

I surely wasn’t mad – maybe a little confused but definitely not mad.

We talked for over two hours and made plans for dinner the next week. I had no qualms about David picking me up.

 Do people still fuss about what to wear on a first date?

 Having spent five days deciding what to wear as I stood in front of my closet, the clothes yet again staring back at me, I opted to buy a new dress. At the mall, I was able to find a dress and a matching purse – all in under an hour. But, it turned out it was the shoes that caused the most indecisiveness. I wanted to wear flats in order to avoid getting my heel stuck in the cobblestone sidewalk but David was six foot six so we already looked like Mutt and Jeff. I picked out a pair of stilettos and would take my chances.

That evening brought to us a revelation – we were meant to be together. We had both been in a prior long-term relationship that didn’t work out, we each had a child and we genuinely liked one another.

Just over a month later, we were engaged.

 Where was the spark?

Do we really need to know why it took us four years to find one another? After 25+ years together, it doesn’t matter anymore.

Here is the link to the published article on Insider. Please note the typo at the end - we have been together for over 25 years not 50 years.