Year-End Gratitude Reflections

Sigung’s Corner

by Sigung David Moylan
Fu For You – Winter 2025-26

After a couple narrow misses on some slippery roads, we just finished a round of shoveling on the heels of substantial snowfall today. I am writing on American Thanksgiving (while loosely watching the end of the third thrilling NFL game of the day). I am feeling grateful, as I also do on our Thanksgiving weekend (it just falls between article writing deadlines). 

I am thankful for the wonderful students and families I get to surround myself with everyday; being at the Academy and teaching every class is truly a joy. I warmly welcome all the new members to our Academy and wish you the best as you journey through your training with us. If you need any guidance relating to the Academy, please reach out to Patti-Lynn, one of our many inspirational instructors or myself. 

November included an Adult and two Youth/Junior gradings. Although relatively smaller in size, I must say that they were some of our best! The candidates came well prepared and put on spirited performances. Congratulations!

I continue to be grateful for the senior instructors in my life. I recently had lunch with Sibok Lloyd and we reflected on how many decades he’s been putting together this newsletter. Sibok Eric continues his 30+ years of teaching each week and we have some great chats. Sifu Robin conducted a Spear Seminar and a Mok Jong Seminar this month that were well received. Even though Shifu Yuan is in Australia, through technology, I still receive his guidance and instruction. Jimmy Fields, with his 50+ years in the martial arts, still shows up every week to teach me. After our chance meeting in Nova Scotia this summer, Master Gee Wong stopped by this Fall to work with us. 

On Remembrance Day at the Waterloo Cenotaph, I had a nice conversation with my Kung Fu teacher’s family. They attend every year, as Sigung Bob’s father, Ken Schneider, served in WWII, helping in the campaign to liberate Holland. My family and I attend every year too – my grandfather was a medic in WWII and I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices made by those before us to secure the freedom we enjoy today. 

I think about my teacher often and am grateful for the lessons he passed down to us. At this point, we have each been Head Instructor of WKFA for nineteen years. While I miss him dearly, I feel fortunate to have been given this truly unique opportunity. 

As we look ahead to the new year, moving from the Year of the Snake to the Horse, I feel proud of what we have accomplished together. I want to continue to improve the quality of what we do and bring the life changing benefits of Kung Fu to more people. Please consider the people in your lives that might also benefit from Kung Fu and tell them about our programs. Refer them to try a class and we will do our best to welcome them to our community and ensure they have a positive experience! Thank you.