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In 1992 fewer of our friends sought divorces; more became unemployed for the first time in their lives. The Recession dragged on longer than anyone predicted, reminding us all that nothing is for certain and nothing is forever, For myself, I gained a darling litâ€" tle nephew and lost a dear old aunt. Not a bad year in the broad scheme of thines. No, it is not the war and starvaâ€" tion in Africa that most of us will recall from 1992 but the births, deaths and marriages of our friends and families. These are what feed our souls and measure our hearts. As we turn the page from 1992 to 1993 the newspapers are filled with significant ‘lists‘; the top ten movies, the three best books, the most popular songs; the best dressed, the worst dressed, the ‘least‘ dressed; the biggest disaster, the greatest triumph, the sweetest love story. Huge, momentous events on the world stage, to be sure. But the funny thing is, for most of us, it will be the personal events we remember; the predictable crises of life we encounter in our pursuit, not of excellence so much as a flicker, of wisdom and truth. No, it is not the war and starvaâ€" tion in Africa that most of us will A fond look back at a year of profiles The end of a year and the beginâ€" ning of another; it is a time of reflection. A time of taking stock and looking ahead; of making plans infused with renewed energy and resolve. Writers particularly love this exercise. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." began Charles Dickens in his nineteenth century novel about the French Revolution, A Tale of Two Cities. Dickens had a wonderful way with words, didn‘t he? * Professional all breed Dog cat grooming * Gift boutique * Complete health beauty care for your special friend For Distinctive Pets Their People Which reminds me somewhat of my interview with midwife Jennifer Ristok, a most remarkable woman who said (amongst other things), she‘d "much rather deliver a baby than a speech." Ristok, for many years a nurse and teacher, decided to get into midâ€" wifery because she said, "I was appalled by the fact that women didn‘t seem to have any confidence in their ability to birth without medâ€" ical intervention." It made me wish that I had known someone like this Frankly, I‘m n« what Mr. Bacon w I do know that a makes life much And whatever you lenge, "If it doesn make you stronger. except perhaps a mother‘s love. It reminded us that we have to be creâ€" ative and flexible and resilient as well as ‘good‘ boys and girls. ankly, I‘m not altogethe Mr. Bacon was referring know that a little adv s life much more intere * Holiday makeovers * No stress atmosphere * Flexible hours * Open Sundays ever your particular it doesn‘t kill you, i 2423 Marine Dr. (Bronte) 847â€"6452 altogether sure referring to but ittle adversity ore interesting. chalâ€" it will Karen Alton: a year to remember the people of ‘Profile‘ woman 20 years ago before my children began to arrive in hospiâ€" tals, with all the technology and impersonal care, money could buy. What I am working up to here is this: as I travel about this town from week to week and talk to people about their jobs, their families, their hopes, and their fears, about Canada on her 125th birthday, I can report With all the shops and services offered in downtown Oakville, we can make the meek, the mighty; the sloppy, the neat; the If you are more the handy type, who enjoys trying your own hand at fashion, downtown Oakville also offers you several tired, the alive the special shops for outâ€"ofâ€"fashion, as sewing, knitting and stylish as they come. other hobbies to fill Whether it is a change time in the new year. in your hair cut, colour Maybe it‘s a dinner out or style, new nails, a facial or a massage, to make you come alive and beat the winter downtown Oakville blahs. has over 25 beauty and Downtown Oakville health services to get hosts the best selection you looking and of restaurants feeling your best. anywhere in Ontario. Fashion is always in French, Italian, or style with over 40 Continental, Oriental, ladies‘, men‘s and Indian, English, casual or fine dining ... one family fashion stores to suite your present _ of them is sure to bring you back to life! For style or help you create a new one. a day, an evening or a relaxing dinner ... we Morning, daytime, dinner and evening can make anyone look good and fee good wear is plentiful in the shops of downtown â€" too! Oakville. The selection and service are unbeatable! /MWW Downtown Oakville also hosts an exciting line up of upcoming events. For more information on those events, free Saturday parking and the hundreds of shops and services offered in downtown Oakville, please call 844â€"4520 or contact your favourite merchant! _ . _ emphatically that the pulse of this community has never been stronger. S ob se k oi o ote ke o ke se ie se ie ae oteoke se e People often ask me if I have (See ‘People‘ page 11) If you are more the handy type, who enjoys trying your own hand at fashion, _ downtown Oakville also offers you several special shops for sewing, knitting and other hobbies to fill time in the new year. Maybe it‘s a dinner out to make you come alive and beat the winter blahs. Downtown Oakville hosts the best selection of restaurants anywhere in Ontario. French, Italian, or Continental, Oriental,