Editor’s Note
I think this is my favourite time of the year – the rushing around of pre-Christmas is over but the long summer days are still here and while the day-to-day routines have ramped up again, they don’t seem to have the same mundane aspect to them. In fact, it seems perfectly okay to sit in the sun and read a book on the couch, rather than rushing about ticking off the to-do list.
This year has started off a little different for us however, as while Miss Three returned to preschool with a bounce in her step, my January was spent with Miss Five (wow, where did that time go!) at home preparing for the first day of school. And prepare she has! While much of our time has been spent out and about playing and connecting over hot chocolate, she had her bag packed and uniform ready, for weeks.
Perhaps there is a little bit of her mother in her. She is most excited about learning words so that she can write her own stories and read books on her own. It won’t be long until she is reading to us!
I am sure many of you will agree that the passage of time is bittersweet. While there is an element of excitement about watching your child take the next step in their journey, it is tinged with sadness that the stage before has come to an end.
The passing of time is highlighted in our cover story (page 22) this issue as well, with Katherine Cottier and Gary McCormick kindly allowing us into their home and giving us the privilege of reflecting on their journey over the last 10 years.
No one was left unaffected by the Canterbury earthquakes, and the 10-year anniversary will be tinged with many emotions and many, many different memories. We have come a long way Christchurch, and our journey is not over yet.
So as Miss Five takes the first step in her schooling, we as a city, and as a region, take another step in our journey of rebuilding.
Enjoy our first installment of 2021.