I came to Canada in 1999 as a bit of a lost soul, having met Julie's daughter Megan in my home country of Ireland, I gladly fell in love with her beautiful spirit and character, a common trait among the Nosek's and Headley's. To then end up on Bowen Island was another story altogether, "don't pinch me, punch me, I can't believe this real!"That first day driving from Seatac in an F150 held together with string and fairy magic. Jack and Julie welcomed me into their family without judgement and gave me a home to call my own and feel safe in, something I hadn't quite had before. Over time I learned that this attitude wasn't limited to family or close friends, it is the essence of who they are! The best example of this in action was the Tir Na nOg Theatre School. A place where kids could have agency and the confidence to be themselves, "a sparkly frog, maybe, or a smelly donkey, perhaps". It wasn't about producing a great piece of theatre so much as building up and empowering kids for the theatre of life. When I look back year after year, at the long hours, building sets five minutes before a show, practicing their lines the day before, writing scripts at 2am, I am still in awe of their energy, enthusiasm and joie de vivre. Watching the classes was always such a joy, seeing the little voices of our community finding themselves step by step and seeing them now in fine fettle and how proud their parents must be! I am constantly amazed by Jack and Julie can disarm and connect with even the most suspicious, stubborn, know it all 3 year olds out there and am blessed that my young kids can spend time with them. I also know Tir Na nOg isn't the only thing that exists, just one part of our great little community that we should be proud of. And again our community is being asked to contribute to this cause, to perhaps cement and grow a legacy that started nearly 40 years ago, a space where kids can be wrapped in a blanket of warm, nurturing love, to explore and express how they see the world. Any contribution is well met and many thanks to all of you (volunteers and donors) working so hard to on behalf of Jack and Julie, we appreciate this so much. If the end result of this is for Tir Na nOg to continue being a great space for kids, it will mean everything to them and benefit the community for years to come.