CONNECTING
Here we are at the end of another year – they seem to fly by at
lightning speed! For many people, their thoughts may already be turning
to the next one – it’s a time when we make resolutions and plans, and
attempt to chart a course for the next 365 days.
Before you do that, however, allow me to suggest a year-end check up.
It’s common to look back on the things you’ve experienced in the last
twelve months and reflexively say “It was a good year,” or “It was a tough
year.” But are you willing to indulge in a bit of navel-gazing before closing
the door on 2014? It never hurts to take a closer look at where we’ve been
and what we’ve done, before we move on.
Did you meet any goals in the last year? Even ones you hadn’t
necessarily set beforehand? What has happened in the last year that you
can be grateful for? Did you find a great new author, take more pictures,
welcome new family members? Try something you hadn’t tried
previously? Were you kinder, more tolerant, more patient with your family
and friends?
Taking a quick inventory as the year ends can help you prepare for the
next one. You’ll be able to identify the experiences you want to repeat, and
the ones you want to avoid if possible. It’s hard to decide what you want to
change if you don’t first decide what you want to remain the same.
Here at The Hub, we know what we enjoyed in 2014 and want to
continue to do in 2015 – bring you engaging, informative columns and
features about the ways in which the people of Windsor-Essex connect. It’s
been a great year, and as we prepare for its end, we can say, once more, we
love what we’re doing here, and hope you do too.
To all of our readers, we encourage you to celebrate this season, in the
way that suits you best – and we wish you well. We’ll see you next year!
Shelley
Earlier today, I had the pleasure of attending a retirement celebration
for a family member who is leaving a vocation after 25 years. She was full
of joy at having had an opportunity to serve her community in a
meaningful way and full of expectation of the next chapter of her life. As
with all beginnings and endings, the happiness was tinged with a bit of
hesitation. Regardless of what is beginning or ending, the uncertainty that
comes with it is always present. Several days ago, I also learned of a serious
illness in a friend. Moments like these divide our life into the time before
and the time after such a diagnosis. The end of innocence and the
beginning of a new reality. In the same time span, I also learned of an
engagement and the anticipated arrival of several babies. Thankfully,
change is good just as often as not.
Change is felt profoundly at the end of a calendar year. We take stock
of the old while making resolutions for the future. In the midst of all the
holiday frenzy, we take a look at how Windsorites celebrate that transition.
We are a diverse community and our celebrations reflect that. Regardless
of the differences, there's one thing we have in common. We choose to
come together when times are good or bad.
In that vein, we examine our local neighbourhoods. Amherstburg has
been a jewel in the Essex County crown for hundreds of years. It's steeped
in history but also embraces the future. If you haven't taken a look lately,
it's worth the short drive to see why people travel long distances to check
out what has always been right under our noses. Detroit, although located
in a different country, has seemed like a close cousin to us for generations.
Its storied distant past as well as tumultuous recent past has had us
cheering for it from the side lines. Like a good neighbour we know when to
keep our distance but also when to offer a helping hand. Read all about it
and let us know how you feel about our big cousin next door. You can share
your feelings on our face book page at facebook/thehubwindsoressex or on
Twitter at @TheHubWE.
Before the holidays get too busy and your attention is focused on
those closest to you, I'd like to wish all of you the best this season has to
offer. Whatever you're celebrating in the coming weeks, know that we at
The Hub celebrate your presence in our community. It begins with you and
ends with you. Without the people that make up Windsor/Essex we'd just
be a place on the map, right across the river from Detroit.
Eva
Managing Editors
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subscription inquiries to
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Eva Antonel
Shelley Divnich Haggert
Contributors
Alex Antonel, Taylor Busch
Sean Frame, Angelica Haggert
Michael Haggert, Shelbey Hernandez
Windsor Essex County Health Unit
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