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I hate the park. I'm not talking our local park, or the Toronto Parks system in general. In fact, the four closest playgrounds that we visit on a regular basis are all pretty decent -- adequately maintained, with minimal graffiti, and only the occasional sketchy older gentleman in loose grey sweatpants or gaggle of ragamuffin teenagers hogging the swings and spitting. Why are they always spitting?

This year is the 20th Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. And as I'm typing this I have tears rolling down my cheeks as I always do when I think about that horrible day. I vividly remember hearing about the massacre on the evening news and being shocked and sickened and terrified that someone would kill a woman simply because she was a woman. I literally had to sit down. When I was in university I took Women's Studies courses and attended Take Back the Night marches and December 6th vigils. I got angry.

I have a few pet peeves in life. Nothing too major, nothing too out of the ordinary. I dislike rude people. The sound of folks slurping their food drives me insane. And I loathe the sight of clutter. In my world the first two are easily manageable; I avoid boorish individuals as best as possible and I remind my husband not to make sounds while eating. But dealing with the clutter eludes me. I am losing a battle that has only just begun.

This spring, the McGuinty Government appointed Dr. Charles Pascal to present a report recommending the implementation of a full day learning programme for 4 and 5 year olds in the province of Ontario. The report (http://www.ontario.ca/en/initiatives/early_learning/ONT06_018876) is thoughtful, creative and based on the premise that adults should work together in new ways to make the best possible environment for children in a way that best helps families.

I was asked to write some thoughts about being a great grandmother. Initially I have to say that my body and mind do not equate with the reality. I truly count my blessings and have so much for which I am thankful. At this stage in my life, I do not see myself as a mother to my children. They seem more to be my friends. My grandchildren and now my great grandchild bring youth, vitality and a new kind of love to my life.