Well, we have all been home for a few days now. It is a difficult experience to absorb and although we were warned, until we actually got home, it was hard to imagine just how correct those words would be. At this point in time, emails, texts, photos and FB posts abound. I think I speak for the group when I say how grateful we all are for the opportunity to participate in this phenomenal experience.
Thanks have been expressed to the organizers, but our team should also thank our chair, Gillian Davidson and co-chair Jeff Horvath. Being a chair could not have been easy and they did a fantastic job! Annette and Your Excellency, you two are so amazing. We were blessed to have you lead this ship!! You were inspiring and demonstrated your values at every turn. Thank you.
So, at the end of the day, we hope we represented Newfoundland and Labrador, through recitation, stories and song, fairly. The hospitality extended to us was second to none and if the communities are to sustain themselves as we are confident they will, it will be because of the leadership shown by the bus drivers, pilots, mayors, cooks, tour guides, students, teachers, students and definitely the alumni of this conference. Newfoundlanders and those from Labrador are a source of pride and love for all Canadians. It is no surprise that this tour is selected by over 50% of conference delegates.
Our goal leaving the conference and following the presentation was to end as strongly as we started. I think we surpassed that goal tenfold.
Thanks to all of you on this 2012 Newfoundland and Labrador study group and for those of you who joined us through this blog – ‘long may your big jib draw”…
and yes, we still like each other.