I was straightening up the linen closet and found a baby blanket that my mom had given to me years ago. It’s a blanket that my twin brother and I had in London, UK where we were born. I teared up as I unfolded it, and let a few more tears fall as I thought of dad, who probably held Robert (everyone else calls him Bob) in it.  Funny, how emotions get stirred up by such simple, little things. Call me sentimental, yes I cry at movies too.  But...

Sometimes life loads you up with a flurry of events so packed together and so important to you that you can barely stop for a breath lest you miss the “this is life” intensity of it all. This weekend I’m attending my daughter-in-law’s baby shower in the afternoon. It’s her first – a boy, and the family is over the moon about it. My son is incredibly happy, and I am bursting with pride and joy for them both. Later that same afternoon, I’m going...

What are you doing with your life today? Such a loaded question… and courtesy of my reading Roy Williams’ “Monday Morning Memo”, where he aims that question at the reader. Well, I’m writing this and that’s something important I am doing today.  So I’ve covered one hour or so of 24.  Big deal, Kita.  However, what I don’t want this to be for you and me is some veiled threat about how we are such ungrateful creatures and are completely wasting...

Ever tried reasoning with a two-year-old? “Listen, if you have another cookie, you’re going to have a tummy ache, Sweetie,” to which your toddler responds, “Me, want another one,” in an even more pleading voice totally ignoring your sound advice. And you know only too well where this will go upon saying, “No, not now.”  A grimace, a quivering lower lip and an ear-piercing scream-generated cry that erupts into a full-blown tantrum.  What...

Ever been told you’re too naïve? Webster’s Dictionary defines the word as “being marked by unaffected simplicity” and “showing lack of informed judgment”. Having been told for many years that I’m too naïve, I have always blushed in response – even my body betrays me as if I were still the little girl who needs to grow up. Initially uncomfortable with the accusation, I realized I was not what I was supposed to be in the eyes of another (read...

Kita’s article “Taking Good Summer Habits Into Fall” is in the fall issue of Healthwise Ottawa on pages 22, 23, and 24. Catch it online at http://www.healthwiseottawa.com/readers-2