This is Spencer. Who climbs mountains…and walks 4water! Photo, Me to We.

Yesterday, he completed a 300-kilometre 11-day trek between Edmonton and Calgary.

“You don’t have to climb a mountain to make a difference –
that’s why I’m challenging schools and communities in Alberta and across Canada
to support me in this journey.” 

- Spencer West

Why? To raise awareness for Free the Children’s We Walk 4Water campaign to raise awareness and funds for clean water in Africa.

During the dry season in Narok, Kenya, the average family lives 15 kilometres from clean water. Every day, people around the world spend 200 million hours collecting water – usually women and girls walking with heavy loads.

And so, Spencer walked in solidarity with them, walking the distance to bring clean water to people all over the world.

He challenged schools, families and businesses to raise $25 per person to support Free the Children’s Water Initiative, a year-long campaign to bring permanent sources of clean water to 100,000 people around the world.

More than 1,000 kids and teachers joined Spencer in launching the water walk on May 6.  People like Nelly Furtado and Craig Kielburger joined him for parts of the walk, and Spencer and his team visited local schools, holding rallies to kick off their own We Walk 4Water fundraising efforts.

He was exhausted. But he did it, and inspired others to join him in this cause. So today, Spencer is my hero.

How about you? Do you have a hero?

You are my niece, my sister’s daughter, so that means I’m not your mom. But just so you know, you are my girl. 

Now you’re moving to Australia, halfway around the world, and so I probably won’t see you as often. But don’t think I won’t Skype you and bombard you with emails and send you things in the mail. 

That’s Diana on the left. And her sister, Lindsay, on the right. And my sister in the middle.

Don’t forget me. Hey, this reminds me of a song you gave me: Carrie Underwood’s “Don’t Forget to Remember Me.” Well, we don’t have to load up a Chevy when you go, but still, the mom’s advice is valid. Don’t forget to remember me, please. Actually, Carrie reminds me of you. I mean, you are cuter and you sing better than her, but still.

We will miss you. It takes courage to leave work, family and friends. But we are so proud of you for listening to your heart and following your heart. And someone you love. This reminds me of a poem, a love poem, e.e. cummings’ “[i carry your heart with me (i carry it in ].”  When you love someone (like Alex), it’s fun to go on a great adventure together.

I hope it’s a great adventure. But don’t worry, even if you have sad days, you can tell us. Don’t say you’re ok one day if you’re not feeling it. Tell the truth. Be honest.

I feel like a part of me is packing up to go, because you are a part of me. Your soul is my soul, we are both connected to the universe. So part of me is really excited too!

And feel free to share photos of things we don’t see here in Canada. I want to see pics of parrots and kangaroos, man!

Also, remember to eat healthy and exercise and get enough sleep. I don’t know why I say this, when there is really so much more to say. But it’s important.

Keep us posted. We still want to know the important things. What you did today, what you had for dinner, did you find some good new hair products?

If you miss us, don’t worry! You are only a phone call, an email, a face book post or if you are busy, even a tweet away!

It’s just like the book says:

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go…

Seriously, I better stop. This is getting a little cheesy, I think.

So go, and have fun. Be safe. We love you.

How about you? Has anyone you love ever moved away? How did you deal with it? 

Our web team at Canadian Living is made up of supermoms: Jenn has two precious little boys, and Helen is a devoted mom to her sweet (and very entertaining) four-year-old. They, along with my friend Grace, entertain me with stories featuring their kids almost everyday! And they all have their own unique personalities.

I also sit next to a soon-to-be first time mom, and I report to the mom of a 23-year-old. She calls me ‘Grasshopper’ and I call her ‘Guru.’ She reminds me a lot of my own mother, in fact. It’s nice to have that in the office.

If I expand to the rest of our editorial team, there are even more moms — some to tiny tots and some to teens and fully grown adults. Many of my dearest friends became new mothers in the past year, and watching their journey with their little ones makes my heart swell with love and awe. There’s no doubt — being a mother is no cakewalk. But if there’s one thing these fantastic women have in common it’s this: Being a mom means being love.

Photo by Jennifer Gruden
Jenn took this photo of her kitchen table today: Flowers from a Mother’s Day event; her son’s lunchbox; her son’s toys, and a copy of our June 2013 issue. I don’t know about you, but this made me smile!

Over the years I’ve learned a few things from the moms in my life that I’d like to share with you. These 10 insights really stuck with me and I hope to keep them in mind for when I have my own children someday.

. Always make time for your children. Make sure they know you will always put them first. Take time to attend events, whether they are school races, art fairs or even afternoon tea dates at your child’s daycare. Trust that these are all equally important.

. Offer experiences over gifts. Give your children the opportunity to create beautiful memories by trying new activities together. Schedule dates — even to the playground. These moments will stay with them a lot longer than a trendy new toy truck or gadget.

. Give them a reason to laugh. Whether you’re chasing them around the house while playing tag, or simply tickling them till they’re in stitches, there’s no better sound in the world than that of a child’s laughter.

. Always have your iPhone or other recording devices on hand. In the age of technology, collecting footage for memories (or even to potentially be used as blackmail at a later date) has never been easier.

. Kids say the darnedest things. And when they do, make sure to tell your friends at the office. They could use a good laugh as well.

. No matter how old your children get, if you play your cards right, a certain look from you will speak more than any amount of words. “It’s the Mom look,” says one of my colleagues. “They know what it means.”

. Learn to say no to your kids once in a while — you’ll actually be doing them a favour. We live in a “no” world, and as bad as it sounds, it’s the truth. It’s important to teach children from a young age that throwing temper tantrums won’t always get them what they want.

. It’s okay to make mistakes. This isn’t just part of being a mom or a parent, this is part of being human. No one is perfect and there’s no set formula to life. Make it your mission to raise a happy and healthy child and everything else will work itself out.

. Encourage your child to tell stories. There’s nothing greater than a child’s imagination. I’m always amazed when I speak to children because the stories they come up with are so awesome! I wonder what happens to us as we get older to lose that imaginative edge…

. Finally, and most importantly, let your child know they are loved. There hasn’t been a day in my life when I’ve questioned my mother’s love. The best gift she ever gave my brother and me was the feeling of unconditional love and security. We always knew that even if things became terrible in our lives or if it felt like the world was falling to pieces outside, our mother would always make us feel safe and loved. Today, we’re fully grown adults, and I can tell you without a doubt, the same fact still applies. Quite simply, our mom is love.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the inspiring moms in my life, and thank you for all the lessons you’ve taught (and continue to teach) me. xo

This month is Speech & Hearing Awareness Month in Canada.

Many of us take our hearing for granted. Photo, David Castillo Dominici/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net. 

In honour of this month, I’m going to hand over this post to one of our writers, who’s willing to share his story with us.

By Adam Ledlow

It’s a rare thing to be aware that you’re experiencing the last sound you’ll ever hear, but rarer still to be able to choose that sound. At the age of 31, with my hearing abilities disintegrated to the point of near-deafness, I find myself faced with this unique – albeit unwanted – choice.

Born with a set of ears in perfect working order, my hearing began slipping away – without my knowledge – sometime during my youth. It’s difficult to pin down a timeframe in hindsight (or is that hind-hearing?), but my true journey into the world of un-hearing began at age 19, when, after a dozen or so failed attempts at getting my attention – and realizing there was perhaps more to the issue than mere teenage apathy – my mother decided it was time for me to get a hearing test. A series of unheard tones and comically misunderstood words later, I found myself returning to my second year of university with a set of hearing aids to accompany my braces and glasses. Needless to say, it was not a banner year on the dating scene.

With my awareness of my own hearing loss now heightened, I began to notice the absence of the most delicate of decibels. The crinkling of notebook paper. Tornadoes of fall leaves on the walkway to class. The rhythmic click-click of chalk on the board.

Worse still, I found that my comprehension of sound, especially speech, was starting to elude me. The sound was there, but the vowels and consonants became muddled in an auditory alphabet soup.

While some might have considered my affliction to be something of a curse, I preferred to think that my life had been granted its own personal volume knob. The obnoxious cell phone user, the screaming toddler, the music-blaring roommate: these noisy nuisances were now a thing of the past.

As the years went by, I became a champion of my own hearing health. I avoided noisy bars and rock concerts. I moved from playing electric to acoustic guitar. I wore earplugs at every possible interval. But despite my best efforts, my hearing continued to diminish, and I found myself in an increasingly quiet world.

And in this new world, I went quiet, too. The extrovert who relished the 20-something social scene became the homebody, moving to soundless, and thereby stress-free pursuits like reading; you don’t have to ask a book to repeat itself.

These days, I struggle with normal, face-to-face conversations, to the point where I find myself wishing back the sound of that obnoxious cell phone user.

At my most recent hearing test, it was discovered that my hearing has plummeted to such low levels that I am now a candidate for cochlear implants. While they don’t restore hearing, the surgically implanted devices essentially provide artificial or bionic hearing for the recipient, giving a sensation of sound to individuals – like myself – who no longer benefit from hearing aids.

And so, I entered the cochlear implant program at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, wary of the surgery and downright dubious of the implant’s place in my life. But after a two-hour information session, I was able to count myself among the cochlear-converted. Surveys and tests begat even more surveys and tests, until it was just a matter of waiting for an opening on the operating table.

I received an e-mail alerting me that my surgery would take place in two weeks’ time. I had been expecting to give something of a funeral to my “real” ears, going so far as to ponder what I might like them to hear for the last time. What sound might be so revered, so perfect, that it would deserve to be their last? My young son’s adorable belly laugh? The words “I love you” from my wife’s lips? Maybe “Yesterday” by the Beatles?

But instead of this funereal focus on the old, the news of my pending surgery had me first-date-giddy about life’s new possibilities. Boisterous bar nights, frenetic family gatherings, heck, even my old nemesis, the telephone: these were things I would soon be ready to try again with confidence.

While there still is an element of nervousness moving forward, I am content to not get hung up on that “last sound.” Chances are, the last thing I’ll hear will simply be the sound of my own voice, drowsy from anaesthetic, muffled for lack of hearing aids, counting slowly backwards from 10, as I drift into the darkness of the unknown.

And that sounds just fine.

Editor’s note: After an initial couple of weeks struggling with new and foreign sounds, Adam is currently thrilled with the success he’s had with his cochlear implant. He delights in hearing and (mostly) understanding his two-year-olds’ declarations, regrets his decision to buy yippy dogs, and apologizes for how loud he eats. He didn’t know – honestly.

Have you heard of the cause “Live Below the Line?”

It’s an innovative awareness and fundraising campaign that’s making a difference in the fight against extreme poverty. It’s a movement of passionate people willing to make a difference to people who need it the most.

Sometimes I buy beautiful, delicious croissants for brunch at the bakery and serve them to my guests. But at almost $3  a pop, there’s none of that for people living on $1.75 a day.

So Live Below the Line is challenging individuals and communities to see how much change you can make out of $1.75. By living off just $1.75 per day for food and drink for five days, you will be bringing to life the direct experiences of the 2.4  billion people currently living in extreme poverty and helping to make real change.

What is extreme poverty? Extreme poverty is very specific – it refers to the poorest, most vulnerable people in the world. In 2005, the World Bank explained extreme poverty as living on less than $1.25 US a day in the United States – for everything. This has been converted to the Canadian equivalent and adjusted for inflation to $1.75 a day.

When I visited Cambodia with World Vision last year, we went to visit rural families living in extreme poverty. Many days they ate only rice with lots of MSG for flavour. And many of them ended up very sick, including a boy we met who was suffering from malnutrition. When the mom was asked what her hopes were for her kids, she answered, “I hope to have enough food for both of them to eat tomorrow.” I don’t think I will ever forget her or her kids.

And yet, I can spend almost $10 for lunch for a meal at the food court in the mall down the street without thinking about it, in fact I often end up complaining about it.

Who’s taking the challenge? Lots of people, including Canadian actor and comedian Ennis Esmer who stars on the show ”The Listener,” is actually leading the pack with donations on the website’s Leaderboards. Here’s a post from his facebook page: ”Almost at finish line. 1.5 cups oatmeal, half a tiny apple & a few spoonfuls split peas today. Total: $0.40.”

I’m thinking of doing it.

I’m afraid though. I ask myself what I could eat for $1.75 a day. I love food — berries, avocados, licorice, cake, roast beef, chicken, ice cream. Not to mention that I sometimes like to wash it down a few glasses of wine or craft beer or freshly squeezed juice.

I fear I would be limited to simple meals of rice and beans. And yet, don’t I have a responsibility to people who don’t have the choice? What makes it OK for me to eat delicious organic fare with some exotic ingredients? And for others to live on only rice, white rice at that. It fills a belly but there’s very little nutritional value. It’s hard to get excited about basic sustenance, day after day.

And what about the feasts and celebrations we build around mealtimes? My people are from Italy, a country that has no problem busting out festivals around fresh figs, olive oil and roasted chestnuts. True story.

And what about emotional eating? And complaining that I ate too much lasagna or chocolate cake or bursting at the seams when I go to the Mandarin Restaurant? For sure, there would be none of that.

And so, for now, I want to thank the people who are actually doing it, not just thinking about it. People like Ennis Esner, who make a difference in our world.

What about you? Could you live on $1.75 a day? Would you do it to raise money for people around the world who have no choice?

Like many Canadians, I like Florida. What’s not to like, especially when the weather here hasn’t caught on to the fact that it’s spring yet? And I like road trips. And when you put the two together, what’s not to love?

The freedom of an open road, to stop and eat and detour as we like is amazing. And the best part? Not having to take my shoes off when I cross the border into the USA like I do when I take a flight. I mean, sometimes I take my shoes off in the car but that is only because I want to.

I armed myself for the drive: snacks, drinks and a copy of Dave Hunter’s Along Interstate 75 (17th edition), Mile Oak Publishing, Mississauga, Ont. www.i75online.com.

I live in Toronto, so the best way to drive down to Florida is I-75. The book is tagged for interstate travellers between Detroit and the Florida border. Everything you need is in here: maps and travelogs, strip maps showing every gas, food and lodging facility at each exit. The best part? It includes parallel routes in case the freeway gets crowded, radar traps, rest areas, coin car washes, shops and malls. Don’t forget, the fun is in the journey!

And sometimes, it’s nice to get off the beaten path and take a side trip. Many are just minutes away from the Interstate – including battlefields and secret attractions.

When we tired of telling stories and listening to music, we entertained ourselves (after all, any way you look at it, it is a long drive) by checking out the Travelog pages in the book with reports and insider tips. It makes the time go by without even noticing sometimes.

And when I drive, I have a million questions: How do I stay informed of dangerous weather alerts? How do I stay safe if I’m faced with a tornado alert? Where are the RV parks? Is there a golf course near here? Hunter offers loads of tips and resources.

And finally, convenient travel logs, where you can track expense, mileage, where you stopped for the night, and make general notes. And seriously, think about this: 17 editions? This book knows what’s going on!

How about you? Do you like road trips? 

I recently posted a question on our Facebook page about Mother’s Day asking moms what they really want this year to celebrate the occasion. While some answers shocked me, most of the responses seemed to highlight three main trends.

Moms want to spend more time with their adult children.
“I just want some quality time spent with my adult kids. Life is so busy for everyone, and I miss just “hanging out” with them and chatting about nothing.” – Denise

“For Mother’s Day I would like to enjoy and spend time with my 3 children and my 3 grandchildren, because they are what makes my life happy, complete and worth living.” – Patti

“I wish my 2 daughters and myself could get pedicures together and I get to pick the colour. I love spending time with my grown up baby girls. I like them as my children and my friends.” – Lorraine

Moms want to have work done — on their garage and cars!
“I want to have my vehicle detailed.” – Tricia and Kerry

“I’d like to have my garage cleaned, washed and repainted. A girl can dream.” – Fatima

“I want my car professionally cleaned. It is disgusting to the point of being embarrassing, and I’m overwhelmed at doing it myself. I want all the nooks and crannies cleaned and I don’t want to see a single dog hair or cheerio anywhere!” – Misty

Moms want homemade cards and thoughtful notes.
“A homemade card from both of my children would be the BEST.” – Jane

“Honestly I would love a nice bunch of flowers & cards made by my kids.” – Amanda

“My kids make pretty cards at school and usually make me “breakfast”. These are my special times.” – Jennifer

“I always ask for a note. I treasure them in my heart, and I keep them in a drawer in my office. There’s nothing like reading a card from your child. More precious then silver and gold.” – Nancy

“Letters written from my daughters telling me what the remember most about growing up and what have they learned from me that will make them good moms.” – Judi

Image courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/EllenMoran

I also read some sweet comments that stood out to me. Simple yet thoughtful gestures of kindness and compassion that mean the world to others — not just to moms. One lady said she’s travelling to another province to spend the weekend with her mother (who is 90 years old). Another mentioned she’s spending the day at the movies with her son.

It’s no shock to know that the best gifts aren’t gifts at all — they’re experiences; quality time spent together to create memories that will last a lifetime.

So my advice to anyone stressing about finding the ‘perfect’ gift for Mom this mother’s day is to keep it simple. Think of the person your mother is and about what would make her happy. And if you’re not geographically located close to her, just remember — a phone call goes a long way. And telling her how much she means to you will go even further.

If you’re still looking for inspiration, here are some tips to help you choose a thoughtful gift for Mother’s Day.

In honour of moms around the world, we’d like to know:
What’s the best advice you’ve received from your mother that you still use today?

Please share your answer with us in the comments section, below, and you’ll automatically be entered into a draw to win our special prize from Shiseido.

**Contest closes Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at 12:00 p.m. (EST). You can enter once only. You’re eligible only if you live in Canada and are of the age of majority in the province/territory you live in. Not open to any TC Media employees or the people they live with. The winner will be announced here on May 1, 2013.**

UPDATE: THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our special Mother’s Day giveaway. We enjoyed reading all your comments and words of wisdom from your mums.

Our winning entry is from Darnell Pitasio, who said: “To this day I find my self telling my family….what my mother would remind me of every single day….NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY IT’S COVER! Never judge unless you have walked in that persons shoes. I find myself reciting this phrase to my 16 year old daughter on a regular basis. I love you mom xox”

Thanks for sharing your comment, Darnell. We will be in touch with you shortly about claiming your prize.

If you are looking for a hero or two, look no further than right here.

Books with No Bounds

By Leslie Emmons

Do you ever wish you could make a difference in our world? Do you ask yourself, How? Where to start? What can I do?

Well, two sisters fro Oakville, Ont., did just that, and now they have taken their love of reading to the most northern community of Ontario – the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN). Fifteen-year-old Julia Mogus and her 14-year-old sister Emma are the creators of Books with No Bounds, a charitable organization that has sent 12,5000 books to the aboriginal youth living in NAN’s 49 communities.

Emma and Julia. Two sisters. Who love books. And want to make a difference in the world.

In addition to their love of reading, the sisters say they were inspired to create Books with No Bounds in 2011, after reading an eye-opening report.

“We read a 20-year study from the University of Nevada, which revealed that books in a home increased the level of education in a child, regardless of where you live, rich or poor,” Julia says.

The girls collect donations through Panago Pizza and Hopedale Mall – both official book drop-off points and First Book Canada donates new books monthly.

The books are shipped to elementary and high schools in NAN, courtesy of Wasaya Airways, who have given the girls a 90 percent discount on shipping fees.

“Public donations go 100 percent toward that extra 10 percent that we have to pay, which is extremely expensive because it is $2.50 to send a pound up there and books are pretty heavy,” Emily says.

In May, the girls will be travelling to the Fort Severn community with the help of Porter to meed with the children who have benefitted from their books. For more info or to make a donation, visit bookswithnobounds.com.

How about you? Do you know any local heroes?

Rehtaeh Parsons, seen in an undated Facebook photo.

Rehtaeh Parsons was 17 years old when she died. The teen took her own life after after years of being bullied for a traumatizing event she experienced in 2011. Rehtaeh was allegedly gang-raped by four boys — and despite an investigation, all four of them walk freely today, believed innocent of a crime the may have very well committed.

And the sad part is that this isn’t the first time we’re hearing a story like this. Rehtaeh is just one in dozens of cases across our country where people have taken their lives because of bullying.

I can’t wrap my mind around the thought process where people think it’s okay to intentionally hurt other human beings simply because they can. I get that understanding the psychology of a bully is a lot more involved, but it truly is shocking. And what’s worse is that these are kids. In Rehtaeh’s case, according to her mother, one of the attackers even took a moment to give a thumbs-up in a photo taken when the alleged rape occurred.

It turns out the case has been reopened for investigation, and I hope it will end with different results for the attackers. What kind of a message are we sending our society if these boys get to walk freely if they committed the crime? That there are no consequences for terrible behaviour?

Today is DayofPink: The international day against bullying, discrimination, homophobia and transphobia in schools and communities.

While I think this is a great step towards increasing awareness about a horrible problem that’s affecting our world (made worse because of technology), I think it’s also important to shed light on this subject all year round. Talk to your kids. If you know they’re bullying someone at school, take action. Let them know there are consequences for intentionally hurting other people. The worst thing you can do as a parent is condone their behaviour.

And if you’re being bullied, don’t be scared to speak up. Talk to someone you trust and please remember you’re not alone. There are more people on your side than not. Here are some resources where you can reach out for help:

. Kids Help Phone

. My Gay Straight Alliance

. The Workplace Trauma & Bullying Institute

. Stop a Bully

. How to help your child deal with a bully

. Adult bullying: Is it happening to you?

I don’t mean to sound preachy, but the goal of a community should be to look out for each other rather than to work against one another. So please, let’s just try to be kinder to everyone around us.