Reflections of 2016

My unorganized thoughts that come to mind.

This year has been absolutely fabulous. I travelled to Edmonton, Calgary, Cranbrook, Thunder Bay, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Saskatoon, Palm Springs, Orlando, Boston, for work pleasure and the pursuit of bucket list ventures. I carved, golfed, spoke, coached sports, encouraged, and attended a variety of events for work, play personal interest and for family. I met some fabulous people, some old some new, Thomson Highway, Honorable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Ted Nolan, Pam Palmeter, Bob Goulais, Perry Bellgarde, Anne Chabot, Leanne Hall, Donna Bone, Reggie Leach, Dawn Madahbee-Leach, Rae Gibeault, Lori Kane, Pinball Clemons, Ms Alanis Obomsawin, Brandon Nolan, Mark Gibeault and family, Jacquie Gaudaur, Pat Madahbee, Glen Hare, Isadore Day, Sheldon Kent, Peter Sloly, Ava Hill, Stacey Laforme, Casey Jonathan, Shirley Hay, Debbie Sittler, Don Miller, J.P. Gladhu, Kendal Netmaker, Jared Lindley, Don Burnstick, Ferio Pugliese, David Noganosh, Bryan Hendry, Ravina Bains, to name a few.

We built our home on Lake Couchiching and moved home in March, the fulfillment of a dream, very special thanks to Deb my wife on a job well done. I spent time with our daughter introducing her to political workings in the First Nation community. Attended our granddaughters graduation in Palm Springs in June, spent time with our son Ryan who is coming home this summer after 10 years in California. Went to Boston in late September, billed as the, “return to Fenway Park of Ted Williams” an emotional time for me as I visited the stadium of my namesake for the 1st time.

My gratitude goes out to my home community of Rama for electing me to serve as a member of council for the next 4 years in September, I am humbled and honoured, miigwech.

Two memorable speaking engagements were at Samson Cree in May to the community on economic development, with some inspiration added in. The other was at the NHL Alumni in September on life after hockey, a huge honour to speak to individuals who were stars in the NHL come to listen to what I had to say, blessed all around.

We hosted First Nation Day, All Ontario Aboriginal Fastball I announced and played music, coached at The Little NHL the best week of the year and my nieces in ball hockey. Golf is my passion, won The AFN Cup with Mario Swampy, Leanne Hall, and Brad Hutchins in July. Finished 2nd in the Open division at Hawk Ridge Club Championship playing from the tips, the back tees, against fella’s 35-20 years my junior. Oh, hooked up with Fitbit.

My work is fulfilling, lot’s of laughs, serious content, working with super people and super staff. I look forward to differing opinions, alternate points of view, I learn a lot that way, always grow, always set goals, always make plans for their accomplishment.

The last month of the year are always filled with excitement and family time. 2016 was the year I turned 60, although I do not feel whatever 60 is supposed to feel like. I get up early everyday, the golden hour and plan my day. I could still play fastball if I wanted, skate with the kids, run from skunks, hit a golf ball a long way, work with a chainsaw for several hours a day.

2016 was awesome in many ways, here is to 2017, a year to be all that you can, spread the Magic.

Happy New Year everyone!