Four provinces in Canada have an official statutory holiday called family day.   The Province of Alberta was the first.  In Alberta the inagural Family day holiday was the third Monday of February in 1990.

It was not until17 years later that Saskatchewan signed on, followed by British Columbia and Ontario.  This year Albertans celebrate the 26th time the holiday has occurred.

Unlike National holidays like Canada day, Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter it is refreshing to have a holiday that is not driven by commercialism.  There are no special gifts or foods associated with the day.

There is no standard practices or customs associated with this day.   If you just want to take a day off work and spend some qaulity time with your family,even if just a family of one, that is okay.

Read a book, Dance a Jig, Chat with your Children

I very much appreciate a regulated day off work.  I could work and be paid extra, if my employer offered, or rather I can  just use my imagination.  Free time at my doorstep, the possibilities are endless.

Most importantly for me though is the opportunity to reach out to my family, spread across the country almost from coast to coast and just say hello.