The Play - Magical Mystery Tour Revived

(Part Two of the Magical Mystery Tour Revived)
(Posted January 25,2020. Part One you can read here.)

How it played ....

A family tradition that was revived last night goes to show that we do make a difference in our kids lives. I have always felt that all the love and effort we put into raising our kids comes around full circle! There are no rules on how to parent and we always just did so from the ❤️ heart.

We felt the love right back.  We came home with a new family hashtag #cellylikeakelly

4pm and it starts with an IPA and a couple very creative clues carefully written and presented in numbered envelope. Later the clues kept coming; using audio texts, code breaking challenges and word problems! We explored Gastown, Vancouver hitting many of the local spots and despite the uncertainty of the unknown, it was an absolute riot.

We even got iced! 

3 clues and a puzzle we discover our destination 

Escape room - Smartypantz  

Crazy creative hockey caper 

Awesome dinner and drinks at Calabash  

Puzzles and Beer 🍺 confusing 

You guys got us big time ❤️

Our hope is that the tradition continues and that others start one in their own families.

#ThePowerofPlayfulness 

Hate to say it, but the title “Beer By The Pier” caught my attention!

Living in a community that I love, I often feel that I am selfishly isolated in my own little world.  I am raising a family, trying to be a good wife, supporting my aging Mom and taking care of myself as I move into my next 50.  Like many we are also trying to earn a living to support our lifestyle in a very challenging/expensive and quickly changing world.  We pick our friends who share similar values and in my house, we make time to laugh, keeping us connected and reducing the stress in our lives.   We donate to those who knock on our door and support various charities to fight cancer.

We hear local stories about those fighting with homelessness and suffering with mental illness and addiction and other real life changing problems.  It is splashed over social media and in our local community paper.  We see pictures of grand events such as black tie fundraising galas and other high ticket events,  where people have donated $1,000 + to attend.  It all leaves me feeling hollow and frustrated that I never could find a way to offer to help support those families in need in my own community.  I sometimes honestly felt that only the rich were making a difference in the lives of those suffering.

Then up popped an invitation to 1^st Annual Beer by the Pier event in September via email.  In support of Family Services of the North Shore, tickets were reasonable and the venue caught my eye!  Beer tasting-Adam Woodall Band-Smoke & Bones BBQ at a trendy, hip venue at the restored Pipe Shop at historic Shipbuilders’ Square.  Our tickets were donations themselves.

Talk about tapping into a new demographic, Family Services you have succeeded!

Thank you for opening up my eyes to the opportunities available to help support those by raising funds in an enjoyable way.  I was thrilled to see so many others from my community whom crossed our similar demographic and together we reunited for a great cause. 

Family Services of the North Shore, in my opinion your event was a success.  You drew in my demographics of boomers who are searching for ways to support the families and those suffering in our own community.  After all, some of those are our friends and neighbours who might be suffering in silence.

Sign us up for next year.

As a result of the event, I myself am meeting up with the North Shore Neighbourhood House one of your affiliates, to see how I can give back here in my treasured community of North Vancouver.

Unconditional Love

When I asked them what was the best part about having a sibling, it amazed me how similar their answers were. 

She said "effortless company and companionship"

He said "having a friend within reach" 

Later themselves both amazed of their similar heartfelt answers.  

And Mel makes 3

Great to know as a parent your own children have a special bond that will carry them through their journey of life when you are gone. My parents instilled in us the same. 

I think that's what siblings are for. While we need to recognize the differences in each other, there needs to be something there that gives you that security, safety and confidence that you have others in "your court" that love you regardless of the mistakes you make along the way. 

My favourite early memories myself with my siblings, would be riding in the estate station wagon on the way to the cottage.  All 6 of us packed into Woody the wagon with two cocker spaniels and a weekends worth of food. My brother once wrote a poem about the experience from his lens that still brings laughter as it reflects our personalities perfectly at that time!  Including my parents' second hand smoke billowing from the front seat! 

Recently with the loss of my Dad last year,  it was almost like an awakening itself. My siblings all came together to support each other and my Mom, but it was the observation of how each of our children presented themselves as siblings and cousins and coming together as a sincere genuine close family. Guess all those family dinners and traditions reinforced such along the way. 

In fact it was just the four of us siblings who stood by my Dad's bed reminiscing, sharing and laughing as we said good bye to him together. He too would be proud.  He taught us to stick together and express the love we have for one another (and those in your court) such that you would never regret what was never said. 

I think parenting is about following your heart, showing respect and to not over analyze.  Carefully sift through the materials presented. Teach respect in your children so they will grow up respecting themselves, others and their siblings.