February Newsletter

Such a lot has happened in the last month. The U.S. elections, vaccination roll outs but sadly many more Covid deaths and the news of the passing of Captain Tom Moore from the U.K. who we've all adopted as our own.  Back here we are grateful to be enjoying the best that summer delivers and thinking of those of you in the Northern Hemisphere. 
Take care
​Helen Ellis

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Book update: Being a Distance Grandparent - a Book for ALL Generations

Good news - you are the first to know the manuscript is finished and yesterday it was sent to my early reviewers. These folk are generous experts who read the book with a quickness in their step and supply me with hopefully some glowing words for the back cover and Praise page. They have all been on standby awaiting the almighty PDF to appear in their 'in' box.  If you'd like a peek into some of the feedback I have received from others who have been privy to an early read, click here.
And for another inside scoop - the cover, in fact all covers of the whole series, is changing. So watch this space.
Just a reminder the book will be published in April and will gradually be available on all the big online platforms.

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What can the Silent Generation teach us?

​Do you have a grandparent or great grandparent who is 75 years or older? They are part of the Silent Generation and have lived through a lot in their lives.
My late father was born in London in 1930 and was a young lad during WWII. In his memoir, he explained he missed months of schooling due to nighttime bombing raids. To those homeschooling parents in Covid hotspots, who are struggling, I can confirm my Dad turned out just fine, despite the missed schooling. We can learn a lot from this uncomplaining, resourceful generation.
Love this article.

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Shifting family values

This article is quite profound and offers much food for thought

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Rites of passage

There comes a time when decisions have to be made and no doubt some of you have had to do the same - Distance Familying during Covid is a tough gig.

This is my Chicago son, Robbie and his lovely American fiancé Jen. They booked their wedding reception lounge in Chicago for 5 June 21, well before Covid happened.

We've all been putting off the decision, but for sure we won't be going, and neither will anyone else from NZ. The wedding (however it turns out in the U.S.) will be live screened so we're going to host a 'do' in New Zealand at our home for their friends, our friends and family. It will be 4pm Saturday in Chicago and a 9am Sunday wedding breakfast in NZ.

Some Rites of Passage are no longer a rite we can count on being part of.

Looking on the bright side we can invite friends who would never have ventured (or even been invited!) to Chicago. We can put on a posh frock, open the champagne and be grateful we can at least gather.