• Larry is happy to be with our rotary family this morning, even though it is difficult getting up early.  He is busy at home and at work and his son is looking for another house. 
• Pat is thankful to see Debbie T. here this morning and wishes Kal a speedy recovery.  Her grandson doing well with his games.  Pat received an award from BCAA and has free service for the rest of her life after 50 years of membership. 
• Marg received her BCAA free membership two years ago.  Her literacy programs have started.  Ben is working at the airport and at the arena.  Marg is doing ‘dry January’, and it’s not a big deal in spite of the fact that she’s been to restaurants and dinners. 
• Peter and Jane bought a decadent toaster, longer than normal, fits sourdough bread, goes up and down and has a ‘look and see’ button.  It was expensive but the bread is toasted right through.
• Susan is staying home as she is under the weather.  She expressed her deepest sympathy to Debbie and Dalbir.  She went to visit Kal on Sunday and many others were there too.  They all need to have a makeup for that visit. 
• Bob is doing ‘dry’ until he breaks.  He did appliance shopping for the new house, for the first time in 12 years and prices are astronomical.  The Miele coffee machine does three things, but costs $12,000.   A Wolf fridge is $37,000!   Prices are going up 12% each year.  Kal is moving much faster and visited Dalbir with Bob yesterday.  Bob is booked for PETS in February then will be going to Palm Springs.
• Bill has a combo of Sam and Kal sitting beside him, in the guise of Bob.
• Debbie M’s granddaughter saw her earrings and said “Oh” and “Wow” – words that make the family melt.  Things are status quo and she is looking forward to a better 2023.
• Judy is happy to see and support Debbie T.  Judy and Debbie M. are doing ‘damp’ January, not ‘dry’.  Judy did the polar bear swim in Birch Bay with the grandkids, early in the morning to get it over with.  It was cold but enjoyable.  Chris B. is coming home today and has had lots of rain.
• Gord is happy to be at the rotary meeting in spite of all of the sadness and loss in life.  It is so wonderful to have this group to come to on Thursday mornings, especially if one is feeling low.  This week he has seen all his 5 different speciality doctors and is good for another year. 
• Joyce is basking in the warmth of the rotary meeting and feels her soul filled.  She was away a lot, seeing family and it was wonderful.  Her son drove 6 hours to see her, with the grandchildren - such a gift to have that support.  Thanks to those who have replied for Sergeant at Arms. 
• Elena is excited to be here too.  She is getting ready for the dental mission trip to the Philippines and is the coordinator.   She will be meeting the Canadian Ambassador and she will bring our rotary banner.  She was in Gibsons to see a friend’s new house.  She is so thankful for the friendships made though networking.
• Jeannette had an accident in 2017, and saw the ICBC lawyer this week.  The meeting is still going on next week, but she will bring her own lawyer.   
• Peachy feels like she wants to retire as life is boring and she seems to be always working and doing housework.
• Chris M. thanks Bob for the ride to the Auction Meeting as her car wasn’t running well.  She had it fixed at Seppo’s on Moncton St. – they are amazing and worth a visit just to see all the memorabilia in the shop.  She played golf on Wednesday – the only non-rainy day of the week and it was fabulous.  Max is learning a lot by staying at her house – how to open champagne bottles and play darts. 
• Debbie T. felt so supported by everyone who attended the service and by all the messages and gifts.  It is amazing how our club comes together to support.  It was such a scramble to do the Celebration of Life and putting the video together meant her son had no sleep.  There were about 420 people in attendance and 120 online and there are others wanting to see the link. Her message is that our young people are dying and there are no safe drugs out there – one time and that’s it.  The purple chair was painted and is at her door.  A purple chair represents the person who is not going to be sitting there anymore.  She is giving out purple ribbons, symbolizing contaminated drugs.  Debbie T. will take up the cause, that no families go through this ordeal.  The issues are mental health, addiction and overdose.  There is an article in the paper, but Debbie can’t read it yet.  Once again, she  thanks us for our support. 
• Marg suggests we read the book by Daniel Kalla “The Last High”.   
• 
• Larry adds that if we sat with him for a week, we would be more aware of what is happening in the community with our 30 and 40 year-olds – 5 deaths in the last week. 
• Sandra recognizes Debbie T.’s strength and hopes that Debbie can lead the change.  Sandra is hoping for sunshine.  Avery Chu is a mom, living in a duplex in Vancouver.  Laine is expecting in February and living in Nelson. 
• Bobby comments on the amazing service for Curtis.  He thanks Debbie M. for the auction meeting but missed the board meeting because of his vertigo.  His daughter has gone back to Toronto to -15º and storms.  He is thankful for the comfort and energy from this club.
• Debbie S. got to know Cutis through the Celebration of Life.  Debbie T’s son and Drew were wonderful in how they honoured Curtis.  Debbie hopes that Sandra’s rat situation is getting better (it’s dying in the roof).  Debbie had termites in the place in Palm Springs and apparently they create strands of mud, spit and excrement that hang down from the ceiling.
• Melinda is leaving Saturday for Hawaii for 6 weeks and is excited, but so busy that she hasn’t started packing.  They’ll also attend a wedding.  Thanks to Bill for getting the Canada world cup team jersey for Max.   

 

Moms Stop The Harm calls for an end to the failed war on drugs through evidence-based prevention, treatment and policy change. We support a harm reduction approach that is both compassionate and non-discriminatory for people who use substances.

Our vision is that people who use drugs are not criminalized and that their rights are respected.  It sees health care as the way to equitably provide for a safe supply of substances and diverse pathways of support for all those affected. It includes support and empowerment of families to use their voices without shame, to share their stories and to advocate for positive change.

For more information, please visit www.momsstoptheharm.com

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