Tag: Family

Catching Up

It’s been a couple of weeks since I posted anything, so this will be a quick effort to catch up. I’ve been wrestling with some more pithy pieces. Those aren’t really coming together, and I needed an excuse to park them for a while.

The first thing I wanted to mention is that my Dedication Sale is still on.

For the rest of September, you can pick up a copy of Stroke of Luck on Amazon, at a 20% discount, in either print or e-book format.

Don’t miss out!

A Major Milestone

Deb and I marked a special occasion in early September: our 40th wedding anniversary. Although the day seemed to come up quickly… it’s been that kind of year… we did enjoy a quiet dinner together.

Apparently, the 40th anniversary gift is ruby. I can assure you that no rubies were exchanged. Maybe we will plan a vacation for early 2025 to mark the occasion.

It was fun to pull out our wedding album and confirm how little (?) we’ve changed over the years. No comments, please!

Street Scenes

Last week, I was reminded why it’s a good idea to always carry a camera. (I still don’t count the one in my phone.) I happened to be in the East Village during what would usually be the commuting hour. Good thing that I don’t have to bother with that anymore. It was a beautiful morning. The light was so amazing that I had to stop the car. I was at the corner of Centre Street at 11th Avenue SW.

I hadn’t seen a specific image, but I felt there might be some good shots for the taking. I didn’t have far to go. Overnight rain had conveniently left some puddles on the sidewalk. Looking east down 11th Avenue, the buildings were perfectly framed, with the sunrise reflected in the building across the street. I crouched down and snapped a couple of shots. Here’s the result.

East Village, morning commute (13 September, Ricoh GR III)

Two days later, I was driving north on Crowchild Trail with no real plans. Every time I pass the Eamon’s Bungalow Camp sign at the Tuscany LRT station, I think about stopping to have a look. As that isn’t my part of town, it took me a few minutes to actually find the station. The reason I’ve wanted to stop is that I remember the sign from our earliest years in Calgary. We used to take the kids to Butterfield Acres, and we would see the sign on our way up there.

I did some digging on the internet. The Eamon’s Tourist Centre was in operation from 1949 to 1961. It was basically a gas station and restaurant, with some motel-style bungalows. The place had some good years before the TransCanada Highway changed traffic patterns. The business declined and the restaurant was destroyed by fire. Of course, as Calgary expanded north, the whole area was eventually absorbed by urban sprawl. Fortunately, the city preserved the sign and incorporated it (rather nicely I think) into the architecture of the C-Train station.

My shot was taken on a sunny afternoon. The vibe was decidedly mid-century, so my photo had to be monochrome. The clouds added some interest. I even lucked out when a transit patron came into the shot, holding an umbrella.

Tuscany LRT Station, homage to Eamon’s (15 September, Ricoh GR III)

Always Grateful

I’ve missed several of our regular Thursday evening interval sessions at Carburn Park, and for a variety of reasons. I think I’m over the worst of my tight calf/Achilles tendon issue, thanks to Jenna Nichol at Alpine Sports Therapy. Then it was recovery from my tooth implant, and one missed session due to torrential rain.

Finally, this past Thursday, I was ready to give it a try. We had a good turnout, on a perfect late summer evening. I can almost hear the AC/DC soundtrack playing when I look at this photo.

Ready for business, Carburn Park (19 September, Ricoh GR III) Photo by Jason Gurevitch

Our workout called for mile repeats, with an option of some shorter stuff for those targeting shorter races or just returning to form. That last part suited me. I set my sights on 2 sets of 1 mile-800m-400m. I wasn’t sure I would even be able to achieve that.

I’ve gotten used to bringing up the rear among my talented teammates. Still, given that several of them are in the final stages of marathon training, and I am at a very different point, it promised to be a humbling experience.

In fact, it was a great workout. I surprised myself by managing to hang on the back of the bunch, but only just. My mind did its usual thing of wandering while I ran. I wondered, is there a running equivalent for the “lanterne rouge” of the Tour de France?

Given that I was doing a shorter version of the workout, I was back to our starting point with a bit of time before the thoroughbreds made it there. I had a few minutes to check out the lagoon and snap a couple of pictures of the peaceful scene in the fading light. Beautiful!

Carburn Park Lagoon, sunset (19 September, Ricoh GR III)

It was the kind of evening that makes me very grateful, for all the blessings I’ve had. I hope you may also be so fortunate.

Until next time, all the best.

Thoughts on Dedication… and a sale!

I’ve been thinking about the word DEDICATION recently; two quite different meanings of the same word, in fact. The following definitions are from the Collins English Dictionary:

dedication n. 2. an inscription… prefixed to a book… dedicating it to a person… 3. complete and wholehearted devotion, esp. to a career, ideal, etc.

Let me share some thoughts on these different but related meanings. Be sure to read through to the end of the piece for a sale announcement…

The Inscription to Stroke of Luck

Here’s what I wrote last year as the dedication of my memoir, Stroke of Luck:

“To the strong and resilient women I’ve been blessed to have in my life: Mom, Nonna and Grandma, Kathleen and Carolyn, Lisa, and for always, Deb”

It’s been a tough summer. My mother died in July. I wrote a piece about her, which you can find here. Naturally, she’s been on my mind a lot lately. What’s more, my late sister Carolyn’s birthday was in late August and we are coming up to the anniversary of her passing. It’s still hard to believe she’s gone. These two amazing women are missed and will continue to be missed.

Not all the news has been negative though. My sister Kathleen continues to be an inspiration to me. In a few days, my wife Deborah and I will celebrate a milestone anniversary. I know I don’t deserve her, and I count myself lucky every day. I can only hope she sees her way to keeping me around so we can enjoy many more years together.

The words I wrote about my mom, my sisters, my wife and the other important women in my life ring true, perhaps this year more than most.

I truly have been blessed.

Complete and Wholehearted Devotion

For many people, Labour Day is the first reminder that the end of summer is near. The rapidly shortening days are hard to ignore. For me, there is inevitably one night in August when the temperature drops enough to wake me up, freezing under a thin summer blanket. That has already happened… a couple of weeks ago!

So, fall is approaching. And even though I’m mostly on the sidelines now, I still think of September as the beginning of the fall racing season.

I’m in awe of runners who continue to show such dedication to our sport. I haven’t forgotten the feelings. There’s nothing quite as daunting, or as satisfying, as finishing a long training run in July, with a goal race still months away. Building up a base of fitness, day by day and workout by workout, resonates with me.

Speaking of goal races, what’s on the calendar this year? Quite a lot.

Several of my club mates are closing in on the St. George Marathon or the Portland Marathon (October 5 and 6, respectively). One of the world’s premier races, the Chicago Marathon, goes a week later. I recently met a couple of Calgary runners who have been preparing for Chicago. I’m so proud of all these great athletes, and I can’t wait to track their progress on race day!

In Canada, one of my all-time favourite races, the Royal Victoria Marathon, is also on October 13, our Thanksgiving weekend. Other upcoming events are the Marathon Beneva de Montreal (September 22) and the Toronto Waterfront Marathon (October 20).

Besides the marquee races, September also marks the start of the cross-country season. On the local scene, the Calgary Roadrunners organize an annual XC Grand Prix Series. The series includes ten races at various locations around town.

In short, it’s a great time of the year for runners or fans of athletics.

Anyone gearing up for a goal race will be anxious for the payoff, with months of preparation now in the rear-view mirror. All that remains are a few more weeks of targeted training before a well-earned taper. The final weeks before race day can be challenging: staying healthy and focused is key. Even the taper can be nerve-wracking, as we reluctantly scale back from the workload our bodies have become accustomed to.

It really does take extraordinary dedication. So, to all racers… I salute you. Best of luck!

And so, a Dedication Sale…

Maybe you are thinking about the important people in your life.

Or maybe you are gearing up for a fall race and need some extra motivation.

I’ve got just the thing for you… a Dedication Sale!

For the rest of September, you can purchase print and e-book versions of my memoir, Stroke of Luck: My Life in Amateur Athletics, at a special online price. Act fast, as the 20% discount applies only for a limited time.

Who knows, Stroke of Luck might be the secret sauce for a big race result. If you’re not a runner, I’m sure you will relate to my story. Why not order your copy today?

Until next time,

Carmela Kelly (1931-2024)

My mother passed away on July 6, 2024. The world was a better place while she was in it. Now comes the tough part.

Here’s some text from her obituary, which was published in today’s Hamilton Spectator.

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Carmela Mary Kelly (née Celi) in her 93rd year. Carm’s birth in a house on MacNab Street was made more joyous to her parents Giuseppe and Rosa Celi by the unexpected arrival of a twin sister, Concetta (Connie), who survives her. She is also survived by a brother, Anthony, and predeceased by a sister, Mary. Carm married the late Kenneth Kelly in 1958, and they had four children. Carm’s grandchildren … were a constant source of joy. Birthdays and holidays were better (and livelier) when celebrated at Gramma’s house, her home for many years. Carm was an avid crossword solver, a keen knitter, and an enthusiastic Tiger-Cats supporter. She enjoyed these activities most from her favourite pink chair. Her cookie tins were never empty, and her spaghetti & meatballs were legendary. She had an eye for fashion, and for years she enjoyed watching the Oscars. Carm was dedicated to her family, for whom she made countless sacrifices. Her generous spirit enriched many lives. Carm found great comfort in her faith, and she faced life’s many challenges with grace. We will struggle to deal with the loss of our beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend. …

Carmela Mary Kelly (1931 – 2024) Photo: Shelley K

I wrote quite a bit about my mother in Stroke of Luck, and there’s a good reason for that. She was an inspiration. By doing nothing more than being herself, she made the lives of her family, friends, coworkers and neighbours better. That is quite a legacy.

My mother’s eyes are unmistakable in photographs from her youth. Her shy smile hints at her quiet, introverted personality, and tells the story of her growing up during the Depression and the Second World War. She worked as a secretary at Stelco for a while after high school but put aside her own ambitions once she was married. Years later, when we were all grown, she would take a job as a receptionist at a long-term care facility. She soon became indispensable to the staff and residents there. Of course, we knew that would happen because she already was indispensable to us. It was a small step, and one that let her regain some of the self-confidence that had been eroded by too much time and too much worrying about other people.

Mom has handled difficult times with grace and resilience, and she has faced more than her fair share of difficult times. Pain and grief entered our lives when I was in my early teens. This happened in two separate but related ways. At least they are related in my mind. What I know is that nothing was ever quite the same afterwards, and nothing could ever be taken for granted again. Had we crossed some kind of a dividing line, a transition from the innocence of youth to whatever was to come next? I’m not sure. As for my mother, I never heard her complain or shirk from what she had already accepted as her duty. Given her upbringing, I suspect she had never taken anything for granted as it was.

Goodbye mom. We will miss you terribly. May God bless you and welcome you.