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Everyone from a young age onwards understands that they will die one day. If one is young, that day is in the distant future, but if you are older, there is usually a daily reminder that it is not that far away. Thanks to modern medicine, the final day has been postponed for many. Indeed, life expectancy for both sexes has risen every decade.

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January 28, 2016 was the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote in Manitoba. That date was a day to celebrate the sheer determination of women's suffrage to gain for Canadian women -- for the first time -- equality with men to cast votes and hold provincial office.

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I'm a "political junkie." The Wikipedia definition of a political junkie is, "One who is obsessed by all things political and votes in every election." So, yes, that's me, but I'd like to add that I believe political junkies also need to get involved in politics as party members, volunteers, as well as candidates.

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My mother, Barbara, was a lovely, energetic, innovative and resourceful woman: she was a published author of science fiction, selling her first article to John Bull when she was only 17; she was an accomplished dressmaker, taught herself French polishing, and built her own business around each of these skills. Our home was her workshop. During the Second World War, she served as a plotter in England's Auxiliary Territorial Service.