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.\u00a0 But, it is more than that. It is actually another opportunity to get the whole family together for an afternoon; to eat, play and celebrate the arrival of the latest Wallbridge, Simard or Marceau.<\/p>\nI guess my last few posts have been more personal in nature.\u00a0 Hang in there, we\u2019ll return to our usual SharePoint programming shortly\u2026<\/p>\n
This post is about sharing with you a family tradition my mother started with the arrival of the first grandchild (Malcolm). Since then, there have been several (8 actually, including Wyatt\u2019s today).\u00a0 My mom calls it a \u2018naming ceremony\u2019.\u00a0 From the outside looking in, it looks like we are a bunch of hipster poets reading poetry to a baby (boy or girl) in a white dress\u2026 and that wouldn\u2019t be too far off .\u00a0 But, it is more than that. It is actually another opportunity to get the whole family together for an afternoon; to eat, play and celebrate the arrival of the latest Wallbridge, Simard or Marceau.<\/p>\n
During this ceremony, each of us will prepare a note that is read aloud, in our own unique voice, welcoming the new child into the family.\u00a0 The idea is that these notes will be shared with the kid when they are older in a book and it serves as both inspiration and a kind of time capsule.\u00a0 All in all, a pretty cool idea, despite all the teasing we terrorize my mother with throughout the process.<\/p>\n
This was my letter to Wyatt today. I decided to share it here because if you are at all interested in what makes me tick, I pretty much summed it up with a few quotes and thoughts.<\/p>\n
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Hey Wyatt,<\/em><\/p>\n Welcome to this family of bat shit crazy carnivores and vegetarians. Pick a side mate, but note that our barbecues are better…<\/em><\/p>\n I thought by now we’d have flying cars. Nope, not even close. And probably not when you read this either. My point? I also thought modern medicine would be better than it is (don’t get me wrong, they are doing amazing things) – so take care of your body, listen to the advice of those that have made mistakes before you (make up your own mind, but at least hear them out) and always find ways to stay active. Your first set of ears, knees, liver, etc. will always be the best ones.<\/em><\/p>\n Be an individual. Define your own path and remember that if you love what you are doing, you will be successful at it. Pursue a quality and fun life, not monetary or material success that others outside the family will try and judge you on.<\/em><\/p>\n Be informed, cautious and thoughtful but most importantly, Take Some Risks.<\/em><\/p>\n A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n \u2015 William G.T. Shedd<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n And to wrap this up, a few of the other things that I try to live by and some of these may serve you as well…<\/em><\/p>\n