Monday, February 18, 2008

Family Day

Today was Ontario's first ever statutory holiday in the month of February. Following Alberta's lead, we joined them and Saskatchewan in celebrating our first Family Day.

Though mostly by chance, rather than design, it turned out that much of our local family did get together for lunch at the half-way point between those of us who live farthest apart. My son Jeffrey and I made the half-hour drive to meet up with my sister, her daughter, three of our first cousins and one of their sons. All eight of us gathered at a restaurant to share a warm meal, endless chatter, hugs, laughter, a few tears of frustration, tales of kidlet-induced angst and the comfort of each others company. It was a lovely afternoon spent with people I have known and loved all of my life. What better way could there be to spend our first Family Day?

Thanks, Barb for arranging it. I hope this was the first of an annual tradition.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well said.....much enjoyed... it's a date. Love, Andi

Frank Baron said...

Gotta love family. Where else but within their presence can one fart and burp - not just with impunity - but in expectation of high fives all around?

I'm gettin' misty over here....

Hilary said...

• Andi - this time next year! :)

• Frank, not one fart escaped from anyone while we were together. Two.. maybe three.. but certainly not one. ;)

the Bag Lady said...

Hil - sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate Family Day! We Albertans do have good ideas occasionally...

photowannabe said...

That's a great idea. There's nothing like family or those we bring in as extended family. That's what we did this weekend. Our friends are preparing to move to the area we live in now. they stay with us on weekends while we take them house hunting. Sunday was successful and in a month they will be residents very near to us. Ater they went home yesterday, our son and family dropped by to pick up something and I invited them to stay for dinner. What a fun impromptu time was had by all and nary a fart to be heard...LOL

Anonymous said...

We celebrated President's Day. Sort of. We had the day off work, but ended going anyway to catch up. At least the phone wasn't ringing!

This sounds like a much better alternative, except not everyone here gets the day off. What a good idea.

Hilary said...

• Baggie, indeed you do! The Calgary Stampede, the West Edmonton Mall, Chinook winds, the Rockies and Family Day! ;)

• Photowannabe it sounds like you had a wonderful weekend yourself. So nice for you that your friends will be moving nearby.. and that none of you fart. ;)

• Gawilli too bad you had to work on your "day off." Of course not everyone has Family Day off either. That poor wait staff at the restaurant had to work so we could enjoy our lunch. I hope you'll have a real day off soon. :)

Jo said...

What a wonderful day! I love old traditions, and creating new ones. This one seems especially emotional and lovely---light tears and heavy laughter :)

Designing Hilary said...

Hello Hilary! I'm a Hilary too and I found you from a Google alert I recently added to my account. Yours is a lovely blog and I'm bookmarking for further reading!

Shammickite said...

I spent most of Family Day worrying about the imminent arrival of a New Family Member! And then he didn't arrive until the next day. What a naughty baby.
Thanks for your kind words, I know I'm really going to enjoy my new role as Nana (or Grammy Shammy as Craver puts it!). He's gorgeous. (Baby Callum, not Craver.) :-)

Hilary said...

• Jo, every day is like that with a gang of menopausal women. ;) It was truly lovely though. Thanks for stopping by. :)


• Welcome, Hilary! I feel like I'm talking to myself.. again. ;) Thanks for your kind words and I sure do hope to see you around here again. Your jewelry looks lovely. What a talent. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Grammy Shammy! Congrats again. He's such a beauty. I hope everyone will click on your blog link and see for themselves - for a big collective "Awwwww!" I can't wait for the stories to come. Thanks for stopping by, ex-S. :)

awannabe said...

Thats nice, a holiday to see your family. With a little luck I will be able to visit my parents in summer 2009.

Reb said...

Well, I am glad that you finally have Family Day too. But you actually spent it with Family? ;)

Daisy said...

Hey! We don't have that holiday!

I want one.

Hilary said...

• That's wonderful Awannabe. How long has it been since you've been back home?

• Reb, go figure! ;)

• DaisyJo.. POOF! Now it's yours too. Go celebrate!

Thanks all for stopping by. :)