Excuse me while I happily feel like I have been through this movie before.
To suggest I’m experiencing a sense of déjà-vu would be a little too cliché, akin to suggesting that the more things change the more they stay the same. But it’s true.
It’s odd, in a comfortable sort of way.
A sense of feeling like I’m back where I belong, back in a groove, slipping into a rhythm, coming up for air. Sometimes it feels like I was never really gone.
But I was.
Much has changed; even more has stayed the same, yet not.
Everything grows and changes as it probably should, including me.
Naturally, it is not what it was, but the rules have not altered and the goal remains the same.
I’m not sure which I enjoy more—the new or the same.
Either way it is the road ahead that intrigues me the most.
Instant learning curves, new gizmos and gadgets, people and places, and a multitude of data for the brain. Adrenalin pushes no question.
I love the challenges, the quick study needed on each issue and person, and the interaction with others in gaining the needed input to help find the best resolve or plan.
I must plan for today and tomorrow—yet also often forever.
Each decision comes with challenges, some easy—many not. The rush is in the crunch learning and then the decision discussion.
Despite how it may sound there is very little stress to this job, there is little stress in doing something you love.
For me, the opportunity to serve on Kelowna city council as mandated by my fellow residents is one of the greatest honours I can imagine.
I cherish the trust and confidence of those who supported me. I hope to earn that same trust from those who did not.
Thank you, Kelowna.
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My favourite holiday season of the year is upon us which means it is time for a Kelowna Capital News tradition nearly as old as Santa. (Well, OK, perhaps not).
Every year around Christmas, for some 30 years, I have welcomed readers to submit names of special folks in their life to the Charlie’s Christmas Angels List.
My younger life was often blessed by the kind and caring actions of others who helped to make my world a brighter, happier, safer place to be. It is something I have never forgotten.
Over the years literally hundreds of times friends, casual acquaintances, and occasionally total strangers have simply shown up at the right moment and done or said something meaningful.
Sometimes it was a small gesture or kind word; other times a life-saving or life-altering action.
Regardless, I have truly been blessed with many amazing and kind folks in my world and that sharing and caring led to my crafting the first Charlie’s Christmas Angels list.
The next year I invited readers to submit names —and the tradition began.
Angels are simply folks who have gone above and beyond to assist or help others.
I invite you to send me your list of caring folks who have made a difference in your life or even just one day.
The criteria to make the Angel list is simple: Be a kind person who willingly does something nice for another.
Return the kindness by surprising them with a public thank you on the Angel list.
Take a few minutes and email me your names and reasons to charliehodge333@gmail.com.
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One of my Facebook friends found this info on the origin of good ole Saint Nick, and I thought I may as well pass it along for your perusal.
Saint Nicholas was born and lived from March 15, 270, to Dec. 6, 343. He was a historic 4th-century Christian saint and Greek Bishop of Myra in Turkey.
Because of the many miracles attributed to him, he was referred to as Nicholas the Wonderworker.
He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose modern name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas.
Nicholas’s reputation evolved among the faithful, as was common for early Christian saints.
In 1087, part of the relics (about half of his bones) were furtively transported to Bari, in Apulia, Italy.
For this reason, he is also known as Nikolaos of Bari. The remaining bones were taken to Venice in 1100. His feast day is Dec. 6.
