Well, all of you who helped out deserve a pat on the back.

This afternoon, my partner Cathy and I helped serve what was, I have to say, a fantastic dinner to the women of Cornerstone. We had three turkeys, stuffing, carrots, bean salads, parsnips, potatoes, gravy, peas, corn, cupcakes, pies, custard, ferrero rocher chocolates, fruitcake — all donated by generous folk.

It was a little weird to be the only guy in this women’s shelter. And I didn’t really have expectations of the residents, but they are a remarkably diverse lot. Anglophone, francophone, other-phone, young, old, able-bodied, pregnant, disabled, First Nations, white, black, friendly, shy, demanding, self-effacing…

And we were able to leave lots of Tim Horton gift cards, knitted hats, some other gift cards, and lots of bus tickets for staff to distribute to residents as needed.

To Lara, Heather, Ian, Sheila, Kate, Josee, Bob, Rob, Melissa, Holly: I salute you. You’re all mensches.

And now, the downer part. So we did a good thing. Yay us. But tomorrow, there will be 50 more plates to be filled. Same thing the next day. If you have time to help, Cornerstone is going to have ongoing acute needs for food and help for at least four more months. If you have money, donate. If you have time, give it. You’ll feel good.

Now I am pouring a generous Scotch and watching The Wire.

Thanks. Happy New Year.

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