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  • Tilia Aguzzi, Quebec

    I call Barbara (my very dear friend who is not well)every morning and as soon as she answeres the phone i say "Oh good!, you're alive!!" At which she giggles and says - "Looks like it!"
    Every night i call her and wish her a lovely evening and tell her i hope her night time is not too eventful- and she wishes it at well!!
    We repeat this every day and are grateful that we can share sick times together with laughter.

  • John Healy, Ontario

    Recently, i took my young nephew to a movie.

    We included the use of a local intercity train and went to its 2nd deck so as to enjoy the view. This would not be his normal mode of transport and made for a modest new experience which he enjoyed, 1st off seeing if he could stand up without holding on. Oh, to be a child alive to some of it all.

    It was wintery out when we disembarked the train station and had about a 10 minute walk in the elements to get to the cinema. We half the time ran and slid ourselves about the downtown city streets upon the thin slide sheet of snow.

    The movie theatre had a long escalator and me nephew was quick to ascend the downcasting to a slowed tired arrival at its top rewarded by lack of descent.

    His father worked downtown so after the film we joined him thinking it would be neat for his son to see him at work. And it turned out we went home by car and picked up pizza along the way for the family to share in the after.

    So that's how a film outing went ...it had its many stories of time shared. An outing together will create its own layer of stories all in the sharing of time.

  • Heather Ross, Ontario

    When my daughter was away at school, and now that my son has moved a couple of hours away, I sent them little "care" packages. Nothing expensive or heavy, just a few of their favourite things (teas, snacks, etc), a note or card, and sometimes a quick and easy recipe and the non-perishable ingredients to make it (tuna being a big favourite). I also made/make sure to send daily "thinking of you" emails. When I decided to enter this contest, I asked my now-adult kids how I bring sunshine into their lives and was told "just by being part of it, Mom." Even if I don't win this contest, I consider myself very, very lucky.

  • Rosemary Breschuk-Chiu, Ontario

    Nearly every day, I bring, make or present a "treat" of some kind to the ones I love, specifically my 3 sons and my companion. It could be a confection, a love-note secreted in a pocket or lunchbag, an in-joke email or similar. I let my loved ones know, in a tangible way, that I think about them, EVERY DAY.

  • Cynthia Fontaine, Quebec

    My family is everything to me and despite the hectic pace of life at home and at work, I recently brought a large ray of sunshine to my son Nick's life by bringing him and five of his buddies to a heavy metal concert with VIP passes this past week in Montreal - which I was able to organize at no cost through a dear friend at work. It must be true love to sit with six young adults for an evening of head banging music. The sunshine is still hanging over his head in the midst of a big snow storm today!!! Life is good.

  • Zoë Zeng, Ontario

    I think the most effective way to cheer others up is to be content and cheerful within oneself. By being positive, energy and enthusiasm will naturally flow out from this person and uplift the spirits of those around him/her.

    To bring what I say to a more personal level, I know my parents are reassured when they feel that I am in control of my life. Of course, one cannot always be in control of the unpredictability in life; however, being ready to handle any challenges is an indispensable attitude to overcoming them.

    I also think there is wisdom in the words 'small is tremendous.' Being a caring person doesn't need to start with buying a loved one a vacation package to Hawaii. Regular kindness in small doses like smiling when talking (on the phone or in person) and sending out a birthday card are equally heart-felt actions.

    In short, being nice to others can be simple. It starts with a smile.

  • Carla Lin, Ontario

    I will tell you how my husband brings sunshine into my life. I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy. Every night he heats up two magic bags and wraps them around me along with a soft blanket. They always relax me so that it is easy to fall asleep. I married a real gem!

  • Linda Loranger, Quebec

    Sunshine is making the phone call instead of instant messaging, MSN and texting; Sunshine is a real card that you handpicked and forwarded via regular mail instead of a convenient e-mail; Sunshine is dropping in on your friends and loved ones with a box of homemade cookies instead of saying yet again "let's get together soon".

    Sunshine is actually STOPPING what you are doing and opening up to what is happening in someone else's life---just for a moment and because you life will be improved by doing this.

    Sunshine is showing your love through your genuine actions.

  • Helen Romanzin, Ontario

    Its pretty basic once you reach this age, all life has to offer is what you put into it. Little things which mean alot. I live two hours away from my daughter and get a scattered chance to visit but when I leave I am hoping enough love has been passed around (hugs kisses and a shoulder) to last until the next time I get there. All that is needed or wanted is a voice to offer encouragement and a shoulder to offer comfort these are heartfelt moments. You see I never had it, but I was blessed with time to learn how to develop caring and love. My daughter has been a very patient teacher and student. To bring sunshine is to give sunshine. Its pretty basic.

  • Julie Anne St. Cyr, Ontario

    I moved to Ottawa a few years ago, and away from my family, including my grandparents. I grew up with them around a lot, but we don't get to see each other anymore. After I called my Mom and told her I painted my apartment, she suggested I take a few pictures and send them to my grandparents. So I took a few pictures of my apartment and emailed them to my 85 year old grandfather. (Yup! He has an email account). They really appreciated seeing what goes on in my life. So, now I try to take photos of special events in Ottawa, or just stuff I do and email it do them. And my grandparents do the same!