I am just glad I made it to be an adult.

That would be Kyle (aka Saul).  Kyle has appeared a couple of times in the blog and a memorable night was the Boys Night Out with Elmo .

Kyle's statement sums up every hope of every kid in the house:  Glad to be an adult.

Sometimes we are reminded, by certain events, that Canuck Place is a hospice. Most of my experience at the house is one of life and of living.  Embracing Life is a statement that Canuck Place has adopted to express their reason for being.  It works.  Every moment in the house is one of living.  Even as a family gathers when their child is desperately ill and a departure from this life is imminent they are all embracing life.

I have known Kyle for six years and I was elated when I got an email from Joan and Kyle saying this weekend was his last.  My first thought was, "Cool.  Free dinner."  My second thought was "Which Kyle is this?"
I discovered last night he was the only Kyle in the house...however I did learn (while trying to prove there was more than one Kyle in the program) that names starting with 'K' are the MOST popular of the kids in the program.

So what does an aged out kid do when he leaves the program?  Apparently the first thing you do is get a tattoo:

His Grandfather (and dad?), and cousin all have the same tattoo!

You talk about getting ID (which he now has) so you can get beer.  Apparently there are places where you can get beer without ID.  Hmmmmm.

You talk about going to school.  In this case, Kyle has signed up to go and complete a Computer Graphics and Design program in Kelowna.

When a kid ages out of a program I always have mixed emotions.  Elation because, as Kyle said, "I get to be an adult", and sadness because the chances of crossing paths with a friend are reduced.

So, to Kyle:  It has been a pleasure, and remember...Elmo likes it when you shit.

This is Tony.  Volunteer extraordinaire.
I think he has been volunteering at Canuck Place before  there even was a Canuck Place

A call to Fraser Valley teachers

Who would like to help by participating and raising funds for the Canuck Place Children's Hospice that is coming to Abbottsford?  Take a look:  http://extendingourreach.ca/.

Throughout my teaching career I have been regarded by some as "an independent cuss", and I have been proud of that descriptor.  I have also been really independent in the Adventure Challenge and for the last 5 races have always done it alone.

This year I am ready to share.

If you would like to help out there are a couple of things that could happen:

1. Join the race as another 'independent cuss' and do it alone.
2. Join me and form a team.
3. Do the race vicariously through me (or the potential team) and help raise funds with your school/classroom.

Why?  

If you know somebody with a life limiting disease then you know the huge strain that it places on the family.  Respite care is a lifeline to these families.  

Many families travel  from the Okanagan, or Northern BC to Vancouver to stay at Canuck Place and being able to reduce the trip by a couple of hours is a huge deal.  

By adding a second house with another 10 beds doubles the current capacity of Canuck Place.

If you would like to help make a team of somewhat fit (no uber-fit applicants accepted), independent cusses please get in touch with me.

With regards to fitness levels to enjoy the race:  my training will be just enough to convince my wife that I will not drop dead during either of the races.  I prefer to call it minimalistic training.  If you are really fit and would like to join me you will have to pretend to be less fit than you really are.

The last thing about why a team would be good for me is that I need a bed to sleep in the night before the race......