Hello Everyone:

Happy Summer and I know it has been quite some time since I have written. This year, in spite of the ongoing pandemic, seems to be going by fast. Hard to believe we are in August already.

After all the lockdowns and restrictive measures we have been “enjoying” in Ontario, (and Canada for that matter), we finally are on the road to more “normal” living – – with many in the Province and Country fully vaccinated. We are lucky that we do not have a large population and Canadians generally are quite compliant. Hence – when they closed down golf courses back in April, we went along. In fact, Toronto had been in lock-down the second time around since November 2020

I have managed to continue to keep busy with work, and outdoor & indoor outings (especially with many of my closest friends fully vaccinated). Needless to say, my calendar seems to be as full as ever. How is THAT possible?! I have to say that it is because I have so many amazing people around me and we have kept up supporting each other through the thick and thin.

I can’t remember when I have golfed, walked & hiked, cooked, and most importantly, LAUGHED so much. In the last couple of years, I feel that I have truly found myself, and appreciate so much of what I have been given and know the path of what I want for myself.

I lost a dear friend in an motor vehicle accident in March. He was and will be fondly remembered as my Sugar Bear. We skied together in Ellicottville, went boating in Chautauqua and painted the town in New York City. Puts things into perspective. Life is short and we have to embrace and live it. I go through intermittent crying but I know that my tears are part of my healing process. Not just from this devastating loss, but for any recovery of the soul. The tears have to be allowed to flow. My Sugar Bear lived life to the fullest no matter what roadblocks were put in his way. That was his mantra to the very end.

For my birthday this year I was lucky enough to get together – with some dear friends – socially distanced on the roof top patio of The National Club. It was an epic night. I don’t think I ever stopped laughing.

Finally – on July 31, 2021, after much deliberation I decided to stop taking tamoxifen. It has been 10 years. While I will be seeing my after-cancer clinic doctor later this month – and may have had the option to take it a little longer, or even offer to be part of perhaps a new study to see if continuing to take tamoxifen could stave of recurrence further – I took my last pill. To be transparent, I have thought about it a lot and talked to my various health care professionals. It is a scary thought sometimes. To give up a ‘crutch’ that in my mind has been keeping a recurrence of cancer at bay. I don’t even know how I will feel without it. So I guess we’ll see. I always said one of the side effects was weight gain. While I have always had a pretty healthy appetite and metabolism – I have joked that maybe I can eat even more now!! LOL. That, and maybe that my hair will finally grow in nicely again. I had gone a while without a haircut – due to the pandemic – but thankfully, Brian fit me in last minute.

It continues to be a little cuckoo bananas at times – but we solider on. There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won’t anymore and who always will (Necole Stephens). I am so blessed that you all ALWAYS WILL.

Hoping that all our paths will cross in the very near future. New beginnings, changes, and great adventures for us all.

Love and Hugs, Winnie, The Warrior. XOXO