Making memories

There are not enough moments in our life where we make memories.  Last night at Sully's Ice Cream in Sussex however, our family added a moment to the memory banks.

It started off rather below normal as my wife calls me just before I'm leaving work to ask if I want to go for ice cream later that night with the kids.  I'm a big ice cream lover, especially "Death by Chocloate", so it was a no brainer.  I made the drive home and we had supper and then cleaned the kids up a bit before taking off for town to meet my sister and her kids for the anticipated treat.  I was told on the drive down that my brother and his family would be there as well, so I thought "Man this is shaping up to be quite a party."

As the eleven of us sat there, my Mom and Dad drove by and stopped in as well.  It was a great moment where we shared light converation and the kids ran around with one another.  To top that moment, a train came by and the kids all watched it, enthralled with its size and loud clickety clacking.  I could see the family moment building there in that moment as I held my daughter and watched her reaction to the train and as I looked over at the wide eyed, big grinning expression on my son's face.

As we got ready to leave I braced myself for an anticipated fight with the kids but it never came.  We peacefully loaded them into the car for the drive home.  Usually this might be where the memory would end...but on this night it is where it would be cemented into not just a memorable moment but a great moment.  There was a funky song on the radio and my son started dancing foolishly in his booster seat and the rest of us joined in.  Laughing the whole way home, we even sat in the car for sometime in the driveway still dancing away foolishly.  For those who may have drove past us last night who were worried we might run into you, I apologize.

God thank you for family, and thanks so much for a great memory.

Small Town Charms All Around Today

It turned out to be a great afternoon and I had to get out of the office for a while and enjoy it.  I had some banking and payments to mail out so I headed to the uptown area.  I parked my car at a central location along Broad Street in Sussex and walked around to complete my errands.  My first stop was at the post office where they know me when I come in and I often engage in small talk.   Today the conversation was very humorous and enjoyable.  This was due in large part because of the great sunshine coming in through the glass front building I'm sure.  The next stop was Sully's Ice Cream for a lunchtime treat.  It was great..thanks for the ice cream Ryan.  The staff there are always friendly and cheerful and that is part of the reason why it has turned into such a successful business.  I sat on a chair under the eave of the Historic Train Station and enjoyed my "Death by Chocolate" and watched as many people walked by enjoying the day.

Next up was the Bayview Credit Union.  I know banks are not usually a place where one would enjoy going but the staff at the Bayview try their best to make your visit pleasant.  It is great to walk into a bank and have them know your name and chat with you before taking or handing you money.  The day was topped off with a chat on the sidewalk with my Aunt Sue who is visiting from Calgary and my Grandmother.  It was a great chat filled with laughter and hugs.  Love you both and you made my day and inspired me to write today.

There is a lot to be said about the charms of a small town and I experienced most of it this afternoon over my lunch hour.  Living in this part of New Brunswick is incredible and we don't necessarily need an economic boost...I believe we are making out just fine.  If further mining and natural gas is brought to the area then I think we should quickly plan how to develop this area and maintain the small town feel that so many of us love and enjoy.  We can grow best if we grow cooperatively.