My son and I ventured out to Clarke Theatre this morning to watch the Legion's annual Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony.  Blustery and cold, we huddled together and my son complained that his fingers were frozen. Watching all the veterans, service workers, first responders, scouts and cadets line up in the cold, I told him to imagine that some of these people go out to their jobs and they still have to do it whether their fingers are frozen or not.  They are out there whether it is snowing or sweltering hot.  They are out there whether they have to see their colleagues fight for their lives or sacrifice their own. 

Today, I am thankful to those who have sacrificed their lives and those who continue to risk it. I am remembering those mothers and fathers who have lost their sons and daughters; remembering those children who have lost their parents; remembering those husbands and wives who have sent out their spouses to war in the battlefields or war on the streets so that we could be here today.

When we think of Halloween, the first thing that comes to mind is candy! And as a parent, I'm a little hesitant to let the kids partake in all that sugar, mostly because of the hyperactivity that ensues and the possible dental bills from the cavities.

But this past Halloween, photographing all the cute and scary costumes in downtown Mission, what I saw was a community that believes in providing a safe and fun environment for little children to get dressed up in.  I saw families coming out together sharing memories and laughs and candy.  I saw a tradition that I used to love as a child running around with my friends and getting candy from my neighbours.

The sweetness of these moments was my candy this Halloween.