An Outing to Centre Island with Mom During COVID 19's Stage 3 Reopening in Toronto

Years ago, when we first visited Toronto, we took mom and dad to Centre Island.  Though we didn't do any special activity, we had a great time there.   We ordered a big jug of beer, sat by the lake and enjoyed a sunny pleasant afternoon. What stood out for me was how my dad enjoyed himself and the smiles on both of parents' faces.

Last week, we took Mom back to  Centre Island where we visited almost three decades ago.

We visited Centre Island, Toronto recently during Ontario's stage 3 reopening

In public places., wearing masks  is mandatory in Ontario

Mom is in her 90's ,  belonging to the high risk population for COVID therefore we needed to take precautionary measures to protect her from contracting anything. Instead of taking the regular public ferry,  we took a Water Taxi which  was much more comfortable. there was no  crowd  nor  queuing in long line up.

No crowds nor line up  for Water Taxi to Centre Island

The Water Taxi was a good choice  and  it only took about ten minutes and it offered a nice smooth ride.

We spend a pleasant afternoon with my parents  decades ago on this patio restaurant.

By Ontario law, we must wear masks or face covering when going out to any public places. 

This time before going into the same restaurant, where we visited years ago, everyone needed to lined up and was required to give his/ her name and phone number for contact tracing..

Sitting on the patio with my mom and sister beside me, enjoying our cold drinks and overlooking Lake Ontario,   I was reminded once again of how fast time has flown by.

View of CN Tower and downtown Toronto from Centre Island

Years ago, when we visited Centre Island, my sisters and I were young mothers struggling to balance our professional careers and family lives and our parents were healthy, in their late fifties.






It seemed like yesterday our toddlers were riding in the front of our bikes  going around the Island! With the blink of an eye, our children are all grown ups with  families and successful careers of their own !

My sisters and I are retired now. Mom is less mobile walking  with the aid of  a walker. Therefore, we rented a quadricycle and rode around the island so that she could enjoy the scenery without walking.

It was a glorious summer day, sunny but not too hot. Having been cooped up in her senior apartment for the past few months due to COVID 19 restrictions, Mom was happy  out and about for a day outing. Seeing how happy our mother was, that made us all very happy too!

R.T.
Centre Island
Toronto

Hiking & Meeting Our Church Friends at Toogood Pond, Markham, Ontario

After being cooped up in our own homes for almost five months, our church cell group arranged to have an outing  as soon as it was legal to so do in Toronto,  our home city in Ontario.

To minimize the risk of  contracting the  COVID 19 virus,  we decided to meet outdoor in a park.

Someone suggested meeting at Toogood Pond in Markham, Ontario, which is not too far for us in  Toronto.

Toogood Pond Park, Markham, Ontario

We were happy that they did as we have not visited that park.



















We met in the parking lot of the park right at 10a.m.

Our church cell group usually meets once a month.

However, we have not met since our March, 2020, meeting.

It was a lot of fun meeting my church friends again and we discussed all kinds of practical issues.

Besides meeting our friends again, we enjoyed having some exercises walking the trails in the park.


There were a few people walking, biking and fishing in the park.














It was a fun morning at the Toogood Pond!

R.T.
Toogood Pond
Markham, Ontario

Celebrating Florence's 90th Year Old Birthday During the COVID 19 Pandemic

We have been friends with Flo and her family for the past three decades.  I learned that she would be celebrating a very special birthday  on the weekend.  How could we stay away while she celebrated her milestone birthday?  We prepared some food, packed up our car and off we went to visit her at her Barrie home.

Flo looked happy and with help, she held her two birthday parties in her backyard. There was a party on Sunday but we had other commitment and could not attend. However, we made it up to her and celebrated with her on her real birthday!

Flo celebrated her 90th birthday  recently

Though officially a nonagenarian, Flo still has all her marbles.  She had two tables covered with beautiful white linen set up in the backyard with her best china and silverware on them. We were treated to delicious finger sandwiches, devil eggs, quiche, salad, cheese and crackers plates etc.

Flo's backyard was all decked out for her birthday party!

Sitting in our lounge chairs at a good distance, we were conscientious about keep 6 feet  away from each other outdoors .

Each with a glass of  cold beverage or wine in out hands while soft breezes blowing on our faces, we  were telling each other jokes and sharing stories.

What a fantastic time we had!  How we have missed being together and spending time with our friends and loved ones! This was our first social gathering since March . It seemed like years ago!




I was surprised that no one seemed to want to leave. We got there around noon and the lunch lasted a few hours.   We had time to visit Sharon, their neighbor  and a a stroll around the neighborhood.  Dou even had time to work on our lawn mower and fixed it.

We were invited to stay for dinner & a sleepover as well. Unfortunately, we were not prepared for an overnight visit.

By the time we left Barrie, it was well after 10pm at night! It was a fun and memorable 90th birthday party for all of us!

Happy 90th Birthday, Flo!

R.T.
Barrie, Ontario
08102020

Celebrating a High School Student's Graduation During the COVID 19 Pandemic, Toronto

Canadian secondary school students  are missing their milestone graduation event this year.

Since the social distance rules came into effect in March of 2020, there were few things we could do while shelter in place in Ontario, Canada.

Canadians are law abiding citizens and we believe in sacrificing for the collective good. and well being. Driving on the Don Valley Parkway and the 401 - Toronto's busiest highways, we saw few cars and could drive with no traffic delay whatsoever.  I am so proud of our fellow Canadians flowing our government's wise advice and staying home and keeping our distance from each other.

Many things and social events have to be cancelled or modified due to the social distancing guidelines.  One annual event that did not take place was the high school graduation ceremony for thousands of students across Canada. Many students are missing out on this milestone event.

Ontario Ministry of Education held a virtual graduation ceremony for students.

However, Canadians are ingenuous; many schools and parents came up with other creative ways to help their graduates celebrate this milestone.

We received an invitation to celebrate Erin's  high school  graduation. It was to be a car parade with friends and family members congratulating the graduate inside their own vehicle keeping a good distance from each other.

E's parents organized  a car parade graduation event for her.

We have known Erin for a number of years. This was a significant event in her life and we would not miss it for the world. July 30 was also Erin's dad's birthday!  We wanted to do something and cheer this family up a little during this pandemic. Though we had to be out of town the day before, we made a special effort to take part in the car parade on that morning.

A week before this special event, we bought a variety of special treats like candies, dried fruits, chocolates, beef jerky and special helium balloons etc . The night before the event, I stayed up to create two special gift baskets, one for Erin for her graduation and another one for his dad to celebrate his birthday. I also made signs for our car too.

I told Yach about what was happening and invited her to come. She did! She even brought along with her a colorful flag for the car parade!  Yach came at 9:30am and we drove to Erin's street.  Just before we made the turn into her house, we got out of our car and started taping the decorations on our car. It was rushy and exciting trying to keep the decorations on the car and the helium balloons inside the vehicle.

We took part in the graduation car parade event.

With the decorating task done, we jumped back into our vehicle and started towards Eri's house. About 500 meters before reaching the house, we could see balloons waving in the air, cars passing by and Erin and her mom and dad on the front lawn enjoying the car parade.

With the roof top window opened, I stood up from my seat waving our Canadian flag as our car passing slowly and gingerly by Erin's house.  Erin and her family were tickle pink! We passed by once and a second time allowing Erin and her family to savour this brief but sweet moment during this pandemic period.

Keeping our social distance, we handed over the two gift baskets to Erin and her dad. who was overjoyed and surprised at our unexpected gift.

I will never forget the joy and bright smiles beaming form this family's faces. A small act of kindness that brings so  much happiness and a brief reprieve from the sadness of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Thank you, God, for giving us this opportunity to bring a little bit of sunshine to others!

R.T.
Thornhill, Ontario

Celebrating My Birthday During COVID 19 in Galt, Ontario

Recently, we visited Galt, Ontario

We were out of town for the past few days supervising some renovation work in the KW region. However, it was an exciting morning!

Shortly after 9 a.m., I received a phone call from Herb and Raj from Toronto with both of them singing happy birthday from the top of their lungs on the phone to me. Then a few moments later, another long distance phone call  came from D. who has been calling me every year on my birthday and wishing me the best.

My church friends and I had a joint birthday party last year.

A few moments later, I checked my text messages, Nora and my friends from the TS sent me some beautiful pictures of the joint birthday party we had last year congratulating me and reminding me of the fun we had at the party.

Only a few restaurants were open with early closing hours in Galt.

I was on cloud nine! It is not easy having a good friend or a family member remembering your birthday, let alone four long time faithful friends sending me birthday wishes from out of town. I was really touched by my friends' love. I need to remember and do the same for them on their birthday!

Beautiful well kept  historical buildings in downtown Galt, Ontario

Since the KW region is in the Stage 3 of the reopening phase, people are allowed to dine outside at the restaurants while Toronto is still in Stage 2 when no restaurants are allowed to be opened yet.

However, many restaurants still choose not to open completely doing only take out orders. Some with patios are open but they close early at around 7 or 8 p.m. It took us a little while to find a place where we could enjoy my birthday dinner.

Water Street, Downtown Galt, Ontario

In fact we drove all the way to Galt and found a small restaurant in the main street downtown area.

We were the only 2 people dining on the  downtown restaurant patio. in Galt

It felt weird that we were the only two people dining outside. With tables covered with table clothes, a patio umbrella shielding us from the setting sun, the scenery was calm and quaint.

The dinner was delicious, a treat for us! We had not gone out for dinner since the pandemic. It felt good to have some kind of normalcy back in our lives.

The owner/chef found out that it was my birthday dinner and he cooked a birthday noodle dish for me for free. The restaurant business has been hit hard and I wouldn't let him lose money on his customers, so I insisted on paying for it.









We strolled along on Main Street after dinner to enjoy the early evening scenery.

Grand River, Galt, Ontario, Canada

Galt is a city of about 130,000 people.

Galt, a city of about 130,000 people, is a beautiful town with the Grand River running through the middle of it.

The sun was setting; it was peaceful with a feeling of a small European town.

A few people were sitting by the edge of the water enjoying the sunset.


My birthday dinner in Galt during the pandemic was unlike anyone we had before.

Yes, there are still celebrations which we can do during this challenging time.

A Sunset scene in Galt, Ontario, Canada

My 2020 birthday dinner was a memorable one! As we drove back to our house, we saw God's handiwork in the universe - an absolutely spectacular beautiful sunset!

We are grateful to God for keeping and protecting all my family. He is faithful and full of mercy!
I thank God on my birthday for all the blessings He has bestowed on us!

R.T.
Galt, Ontario