What is happiness?

Modern communication
What brings a smile to my face? Technology. Thanks to technology I can talk to my daughter every day by e-mail or through MSN Messenger. She and her family moved across the country in August but they seem so much closer because we use our Web cams and I can see them and talk to them so it seems to shorten the distance between us. I often think of how my mother would have liked to have had this kind of opportunity to talk to my brother who lived in Ontario and only came home on summer vacations. They kept in contact by letters but for me, to be able to sit down at the computer and instantly talk to my daughter hundreds of miles away is something my mother would have envied. I just wish it had been available in her time. Thank goodness it's available in mine.

Elaine Downing Armstrong

Childhood delights
The greatest joy in my life is my two children, when they are kind to one another and play or laugh together, and when they smile and give hugs and kisses. This joy is only enhanced when we can do an outdoor activity together like hiking, camping or beach combing.

Sincerely,

Marie T. Ryan, St. John's, NL

Winter wonderland
Snow days in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia! This week we were hit by a blast of winter that we usually only hear about in the rest of the country. Since we are not used to winter driving conditions it is better to stay at home and cocoon with your family which is exactly what we did. The kids sledded with their friends and helped neighbours shovel their driveways. We went for walks and watched the dogs romp and play in the snow. When we lost our power we got out the candles and enjoyed some family conversation. It was just what our family needed -- to relax and spend time together.

Shirley Nellist, Qualicum Beach, B.C.

Glorious teen years
I get total joy when I have a good laugh with either of my teenage daughters. I feel blessed that they have kept me as an active part of their lives, and sometimes we just have a really good belly laugh! It may be when I dance the tango with my 13 year old across the kitchen floor (we are both pathetic, but it is just too funny!), or listening to the lyrics of some funny song with my 16 year old. After the laugh, life just seems easier to handle!

Jayme Holmes, Aurora, Ont.