Raise my hands

It’s been a few months since I paused to take stock of the important people in my life. Thank you for creating the space for me to be able to do this work.

As is a regular consideration in this digital space I’ve created, time is precious and it passes very quickly. Unless I stop and breathe, before I know it’s July and I’m standing on the stage at another Canada Day celebration in Sidney wondering in the back of my mind where the year went.

Thank you!

I raise my hands in gratitude to my immediate and extended family. Your incredible and powerful support humbles me and it’s a blessing to have you by my side!

I raise my hands in gratitude to my staff. Whether you’re in my constituency, legislative or party offices, you continue to help elevate our effort to give voice to the people and places I represent in the Legislature. I’m honoured to have you lifting me up.

I raise my hands in gratitude to all the community advocates and volunteers whose tireless endeavours advance the interests of a more compassionate, kind and thoughtful society, healthy and resilient ecosystems and a more balanced and sustainable economy. I’m proud to stand with you.

I raise my hands in gratitude to all my constituents who ask questions and seek answers. I’m grateful to you for watching, listening, organizing and communicating your ideas and concerns with me and my staff. I’m deeply thankful for your input, critiques and words of encouragement. Keep holding me and my colleagues to account!

I raise my hands in gratitude to you for this wonderful opportunity to share this experience with you through my blog. Over the past few months many of you have stopped me to let me know that this blog is becoming as much a part of your daily routine as it is mine. Thank you for your encouragement.

Space for dialogue

This process is not about everyone agreeing all of the time but rather building an honest relationship that hopefully benefits individuals and communities. By generating a healthy dialogue on issues that we all face, perhaps we can improve our lives and our governance.

Please continue to engage these posts and provide your feedback, comments and advice. If you like (or love) these posts, please share them with your friends, family and neighbours. I release a new episode of the The Public Circle Podcast each Sunday. If you haven’t yet listened to my conversations, I encourage you to check them out.

Finally, I raise my hands in gratitude to each and every one of you, HÍSḴW̱E (Thank you).

Image by Ulrike Leone from Pixabay