Transitions-Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga Real Estate Blog

The final countdown is upon us in Oakville, Ontario (and elsewhere) as we head into a busy weekend of last minute shopping and festivities.
I'm almost finished my shopping after a whirlwind day yesterday braving the congested roads and bitter cold. The stores are not as busy as I remember them being many years ago, before the advent of gift cards.

On everyone's wish list this year in Ontario is an item of great need, the bluetooth. No longer is it legal to talk on a cell phone while driving and if you know of anyone with a cellphone, this would certainly be a welcome package under the tree.

Every year I prepare gift baskets for those family members who seem to have everything.
I line a big wicker basket with a colourful Christmas tea towel and fill it with a variety of teas, smoked oysters, chocolates, cheese, jams, gourmet mustards, pickles, buiscuits, coffee and usually some whimsical items like special mugs or ornaments.
These are always a welcome gift and I know they'll be put to good use.

We don't have any snow covering the ground yet, here in the Oakville-Burlington area, however almost every day lately sees a light sprinkling of fluffy flakes falling gently to the ground.
I'm hoping the snow falls enough to give us a white Christmas however holds off on the day before Christmas and on Christmas Day itself when so many people are busy traveling.

This is the first year as long as I can remember that I won't be hosting a Christmas dinner! My brother Clayton and his partner Shanine have decided to have everyone to their house on Christmas Day. I'm fortunate that they live just 15 minutes away.

This time of the year, more than ever, we are reminded of how life is not ideal for all people, and the ones who feel this the most are the children who are going through troubling and hard times.

My heart breaks for all of these children and I ask the universe to bless each one of them, keep them safe and warm and dry, bring plenty of unconditional love their way and help them to believe in themselves and to know that they have the ability to fulfill any dreams that they may have.

Most of all I wish that all children, the world over, could be kept safe from abuse, hunger and homelessness.
The suffering of children in the world is something I will never be able to understand. I hope that everyone takes time out this busy season to bring some special joy into the life of a child.

We can never tell our children we love them often enough and helping them to believe they are capable of accomplishing anything, will always be held close to their hearts as they grow older and face their own trials and tribulations.

I've heard that a child will turn out well and have good self-esteem as long as there is at least one person who believes in them and consistently shows it by word and deed.
Perhaps you could be that 'one' person in the life of a child. I'm a firm believer in the old adage "It takes a village to raise a child" and each and every one of us is a member of that village.

©2009JoSmith