Real Talk!

Someone who has made your life worth living for.

During the dark moments of life, there have been many people who have made it possible for me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Some stand out more than others.

Elizabeth Morden St. Clair-Hughes (nee Franklin)

When I was very young, my grandmother was one of my biggest supporters. Her joy for life and laughter kept me going.

During my teenaged years...

I had a truly GREAT teacher, Mr Parker. He was hard on us but he taught us a lot and we all loved him for it. He brought out the best in us.

I often consulted my aunt Linda ...

Linda Maureen St. Clair-Hughes

and I was rescued from a lonely 18th birthday by an acquaintance...

Kevin Shin

and I fell in love and married someone who made me laugh again...

David John King

in my twenties, Dr Nigel Jagan saved my life.

nearing my thirties...

I got a grant through the Canada Council for the Arts to attend the May Writer's Studio

and I met some wonderful people.

Bruce W. Powe

and my sister and brother (and their families) helped me through the sad parts.

John W. Noyes became my step-father and brought a whole new perspective to things.

and in my thirties...

Stanley came home from the Whitby pet shop

My longest relationship with a male, Stanny-boy was with me 23 years.

Baby Katie arrived.

&, my brother and sister (and their families) helped me through the sad parts of my 30s.

In my 40s...

as I lay trapped in a tangle of snow, trees, metal, glass and blood, it was thoughts of my Katie that brought me back from the brink

She was only 8. Katie taught me how to tie my shoes again. She helped me learn to read (by reading me the Harry Potter series) and she helped me learn to count, again. She loved me unconditionally and her angelic nature is what gave me back a life.

The better I got, the better choices I made and I kept thinking of what was best for "us".

Also in my 40s, Fabian (and his family) came into our lives...

and I met good friends, like Donna Thompson and Pam Stott... among others.

In my fifties...

the ski hill came along- and all the people that work with us there... they make the hard work, somehow, fun.... and my brother and sister (and their families) are helping me through the hard parts.

I know I'm missing some important people... but the most important mention goes to my daughter... Catherine Elizabeth Stewart... beautiful in so many ways...

she will always make my life worthwhile.