Boxing Day: A 30-Year Tradition of Love

Some traditions become woven so deeply into our lives that they quietly shape who we are.

For over 30 years, our family has gathered on Boxing Day, a tradition begun in 1996 by my sister and her husband and lovingly continued today by her son and his wife. What started as a simple act of opening their home has become one of the most meaningful touchstones of our family life.

Growing up in a family of seven children, this gathering gave all of us the chance to come together, with our parents and many others, on the day after Christmas. Boxing Day was never about what was under the tree. It taught us something far more lasting. The greatest gifts we have in life are the ones we already possess, each other.

As I wind down 2025, I count my blessings first and foremost for family. This year brought the joy of welcoming my grandson and two grand nephews. With each new child, our family grows not just in number, but in love. I often hear my mother’s words echo in my heart, “You can never have too many children or too much love in your life.”

Living with stage IV cancer, with its ups and downs, has taught me something important. It makes it impossible to lose the present moment to fear of the future or regret of the past. Each moment is valued. This year has had so many wonderful moments with family and friends. Moments that always took precedence over the difficult days. Love has a way of doing that.

I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you who follow me here, who have attended book signings, and who have purchased RISE: Living Life Over Cancer for yourselves, for a family member, or for someone you care about. Writing that book was truly a labour of love. I wrote it to bring more love into this world and into others' lives.

As you wind down 2025, I hope your good moments far outnumber your challenging ones. Take time to sit with those moments. Honour them. Celebrate them.

Because in the end, the greatest gift we have is one another.