I live in Hamilton and we had a black out too. We realized how much power that we were using and decided enough is enough. The wife my two kids and me spent the night in the shed with soy biscuits. We got to get really close as a family and looked at the Christmas album together. My daughter brought her sea monkeys which swam away from the candle light when we moved it. Boy did she get a kick out of that! We didn’t go outside the whole night. It’s those moments that you least expect.

People I spoke with after the fact expressed how they were profoundly affected as they witnessed and/or participated in acts of kindness and connection as they were forced to ‘unplug’ from many of the ‘conveniences’ (read distractions) that we take for granted on a daily basis.

I, for one, ended up camping in the backyard of my house while my then significant other and I cooked a feast on our portable propane stove, enjoyed a bottle of wine and enjoyed a truly rare opportunity to experience the dazzling night sky filled with countless stars that would normally be obscured by the ambient light from the city and street lights.

It was one of those times when you feel a true sense of connection with nature (usually impossible to experience in the middle of a large city like Toronto). I can honestly say it was one of the most peaceful moments I have ever experienced.

Simple pleasures.