Editor's Letter

Dear Friends,

As usual, time has flown by and we have reached the fourth and last newsletter for the year. It is about that time of the year for the kids to have a well-earned rest from a busy academic year, a time to re-charge batteries and for families to plan some time-out from an eventful year to enjoy each other.

Christmas and the New Year are just around the corner (the decorations are already being put up on Orchard Road!) and while we prepare to start to wind down for the end of 2009, we should spare a thought for the good fortune of Singapore, and the suffering of her neighbours who have been so badly affected by the typhoons and quakes which had hit the region. The opportunity presents itself for some of the largesse that characterizes the spirit of the holiday good cheer to be directed to families who will not be spending such a comfortable Christmas and New Year.

This last issue includes a beautiful article by the Happy Physician about a small piece of ‘heaven’, an article on the true value of sports by me, a thoughtful article by Paulette Emery on how quickly our kids grow up these days, some very sage advice to dads from Jim Stenson, and a report from the “Go!” Girls’ Club about their fun camp which might just give you some inspiration for the holiday weeks ahead.

From all of us at Family Tone and the Family Enrichment Society, we wish you (a very early!) happy and safe school holidays and greetings for the season and we'll touch base with you again in the new year.

Cheers,
Audrey Tan

Feature Article I
Slow Down! The Age of Innocence goes far too quickly!
by Paulette Emery
“Oh, Mum,” said my daughter once in a slightly exasperated tone, “you’ve kept us as children for so long!” Read more »

Feature Article II
A BOY, HIS RACQUET AND A BALL: Learning the true value of sport
by Audrey Tan
M was only 7 when he held his first squash racquet. Read more »