It has been ten years since that awful day.
I remember that morning vividly, it was a beautiful sunny warm day with immense blue skies.
I remember exactly where I was when I first heard the radio announcer report that a plane had hit one of the Twin tower buildings. I like many others thought it was some small plane, there had been a similar incident sometime just before and I guessed it was a copy cat attempt.
After my meeting I travelled back to my office where I discovered that my manager had rigged a coat hanger to the office television. On those scrambled images I saw terror. I came to two realizations that day, one was that the earth had somehow grown significantly smaller and the other was that I needed to be with my beloved wife and two children. I knew no one in those buildings, or in the Pentagon or in Pennsylvania, but I felt this terrible sense of loss and knew that I needed to be with my family.
My son was 14 and my daughter was 10 and I knew that I needed to be with them on this horrible day. I needed to be there to assure them that in spite of the horrors that they would see portrayed on our television screen and in just about all media, that hope was not lost.
Evil does exist and it was demonstrated by Islamic terrorists that day and has been repeated since. But even those who would decry peace and a different way of life cannot destroy hope. I needed to tell my children that, I wanted them to know that what we believe is greater than the evil that was foisted upon the almost 3000 people that day. I wanted them to be reminded that the hope we believe in and have is built on love, patience, kindness, long suffering not on forcibly pushing beliefs on another person.
And I wanted to remind them about forgiveness. The forgiveness that would cause them to pray for the people who orchestrated these attacks because hatred cannot be held in ones heart if they are praying for a blessing upon someone else, even if they have caused a rain of jet fuel on innocent people.
The world has indeed become smaller, fear is greater but hope is not lost. Since that day ten years ago visions of service have been spoken into the lives of my children. They want to serve the people of this world to attempt to improve the lives of as many people as they can touch. One is training to be a Nurse and the other is a Pastor. They both want to serve people who have been disadvantaged. They care not for the colour of skin, social background or affinity to beliefs. They serve out of the hope that they have discovered and the grace of forgiveness that they know.
As I reflect, I too have learned to hope, to seek and grant forgiveness and hopefully to serve.
I have had numerous teachers whose lives demonstrated both hope and forgiveness. Certainly one was Jesus who taught us to "turn the other cheek" literally and figuratively who also said "do good to those who hate you" and "do to others as you would have them do to you". Another was a precious woman who could have been my mother who publicly forgave and comforted the man who murdered her daughter. Why? Because she loved Jesus more than she loved hatred.
I have made numerous mistakes over my lifetime. I trust that as I try to live my life in light of what I believe and because of the example of the lives of others that I will become better at becoming what I say I am.
Jesus also said: "Forgive others and you will be forgiven".
I trust that if I have said or done anything to hurt that you will forgive me. Hatred cannot continue, hope must rise even as the new buildings have begun to rise from the ashes of the terrorist attacks and the grace of forgiveness must permeate what we say and do. Otherwise we become like them, lives based on hatred and ignorance.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
I'm the other woman
No, I am not considering reassignment surgery.
Sadly, I saw that on a bumper sticker recently.
What has happened in the world of right and wrong. I realize that it has always been there, the line between right and wrong, but it has become more and more blurry.
Why would someone trumpet themselves as being the person who broke up a family, who committed adultery(isn't that wrong anymore?) and potentially devastated a family and children?
Yeah I remember "Me and Mrs Jones" and numerous other songs that talked about things like "if loving you is wrong I don't wanna be right".
I am not a prude and I am neither foolish enough to think that these things are new. I do believe in a right and a wrong and I do believe that there is a standard and that all are called to live according to this standard.
If we choose not to we will be called to account, never mind the future accountability though we should be concerned with the collateral damage that occurs in the lives of loved ones and especially children.
Sadly, I saw that on a bumper sticker recently.
What has happened in the world of right and wrong. I realize that it has always been there, the line between right and wrong, but it has become more and more blurry.
Why would someone trumpet themselves as being the person who broke up a family, who committed adultery(isn't that wrong anymore?) and potentially devastated a family and children?
Yeah I remember "Me and Mrs Jones" and numerous other songs that talked about things like "if loving you is wrong I don't wanna be right".
I am not a prude and I am neither foolish enough to think that these things are new. I do believe in a right and a wrong and I do believe that there is a standard and that all are called to live according to this standard.
If we choose not to we will be called to account, never mind the future accountability though we should be concerned with the collateral damage that occurs in the lives of loved ones and especially children.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Still on holidays
I had a work friend (I said had as he has since passed away) who refused to say the work "holidays" as it was based on the word "holy" and he wanted nothing to do with anything "holy". He would rather use the word vacation that reference anything that is holy.
Pretty sad when you think about it, he has moved from this world to the next and has already met a "holy" God. Presumably the one whom he refused to believe in or talk about when taking some rest from work.
I have spent some time thinking and resting and mostly reading. I have done some cycling, but certainly not as much as I had hoped. That's just the way it is I guess, holidays don't always turn out the way we want them to.
By peeking at my bberry, I see that the work is already pouring in in anticipation of my return, at least I won't be bored the next few weeks.
Pretty sad when you think about it, he has moved from this world to the next and has already met a "holy" God. Presumably the one whom he refused to believe in or talk about when taking some rest from work.
I have spent some time thinking and resting and mostly reading. I have done some cycling, but certainly not as much as I had hoped. That's just the way it is I guess, holidays don't always turn out the way we want them to.
By peeking at my bberry, I see that the work is already pouring in in anticipation of my return, at least I won't be bored the next few weeks.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Summertime and the livin's easy
That's an amazing song from an old musical entitled Porgy and Bess, made famous by the great Ella Fitzgerald and equally famous by Jani Joplin. Sadly, this post is not about the song, but happily about the feeling.
I am on holidays and the livin is easy. No, the fish are not jumping, but I am certainly chilling. This is what summer holidays is supposed to be about. It's quiet in the house, the only sounds are those of my fingers tapping on the unreal keyboard and the faraway voices of neighbors, intertwined with the sounds of cars moving slowly down the street.
Today will be filled with some reading, I have a new "old friend" by the name of Bilbo Baggins to keep me company and "The Hobbit" will be my reading partner for the rest of this week. I will also be venturing out to do more riding hoping to get to Burlington or NOTL for the wine trail.
I finally feel like I'm on holidays, it has taken three days to get to this place and I am enjoying it. Now there are still 7 days left to fill with enjoyable tasks, summertime and the livin's easy, preach it Gershwin.
I am on holidays and the livin is easy. No, the fish are not jumping, but I am certainly chilling. This is what summer holidays is supposed to be about. It's quiet in the house, the only sounds are those of my fingers tapping on the unreal keyboard and the faraway voices of neighbors, intertwined with the sounds of cars moving slowly down the street.
Today will be filled with some reading, I have a new "old friend" by the name of Bilbo Baggins to keep me company and "The Hobbit" will be my reading partner for the rest of this week. I will also be venturing out to do more riding hoping to get to Burlington or NOTL for the wine trail.
I finally feel like I'm on holidays, it has taken three days to get to this place and I am enjoying it. Now there are still 7 days left to fill with enjoyable tasks, summertime and the livin's easy, preach it Gershwin.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Just finished a book, feels like I am missing a good friend
I just finished reading the "dragon tattoo" trilogy for the second time. I read them last summer while recovering from surgery and missed a lot of detail due to the drugs.
This time I got a lot more from them. Yes, they are vile and violent and not books that I would suggest those who have sensible brains read.
Having said that, I was impressed with the writers skill and the explosiveness of the stories. The characters were so well developed and seemed almost real. That's what is bothering me, I feel as though I am missing a friend.
I don't often feel this way after finishing a book, in fact this is the first time that I have encountered these feelings. I may pick them up again in the future and I am planning on seeing the Swedish versions of the films.
Farewell for now, Lisbeth and Kalle.
This time I got a lot more from them. Yes, they are vile and violent and not books that I would suggest those who have sensible brains read.
Having said that, I was impressed with the writers skill and the explosiveness of the stories. The characters were so well developed and seemed almost real. That's what is bothering me, I feel as though I am missing a friend.
I don't often feel this way after finishing a book, in fact this is the first time that I have encountered these feelings. I may pick them up again in the future and I am planning on seeing the Swedish versions of the films.
Farewell for now, Lisbeth and Kalle.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
What do you regret?
I just read an article about regret.
Immediately the words from a song came to my head "regrets, I've had a few but then again too few to mention". No, the song was not written by Frank Sinatra, but rather by a Canadian by the name of Paul Anka
I wonder what he was thinking about when he wrote that song? Did he really only have a few regrets, though too few to mention. Mind you, he did it his way, that's either super confident or selfish or maybe they are not mutually exclusive.
But back to the question: do you regret anything? Have you ever even thought about things and wondered how life might have been if you had done something different. I have a bad habit of thinking about how things might have been different if I had done some things differently.
Regrets, you bet. I look back and see some collateral damage that I have caused over the years. If things were in some way different then maybe I could have or would have acted different. Cryptic? Yes in some ways. How much better a father and husband would I have been? No one can know for sure, but I have more than a few regrets and most days cannot seem to figure out how or what to do now.
I cannot stay at this place, so I have to carry on, regardless of how I feel or remember.
Press on was Sr. Isaac Brocks message and I will do the same.
Immediately the words from a song came to my head "regrets, I've had a few but then again too few to mention". No, the song was not written by Frank Sinatra, but rather by a Canadian by the name of Paul Anka
I wonder what he was thinking about when he wrote that song? Did he really only have a few regrets, though too few to mention. Mind you, he did it his way, that's either super confident or selfish or maybe they are not mutually exclusive.
But back to the question: do you regret anything? Have you ever even thought about things and wondered how life might have been if you had done something different. I have a bad habit of thinking about how things might have been different if I had done some things differently.
Regrets, you bet. I look back and see some collateral damage that I have caused over the years. If things were in some way different then maybe I could have or would have acted different. Cryptic? Yes in some ways. How much better a father and husband would I have been? No one can know for sure, but I have more than a few regrets and most days cannot seem to figure out how or what to do now.
I cannot stay at this place, so I have to carry on, regardless of how I feel or remember.
Press on was Sr. Isaac Brocks message and I will do the same.
Friday, July 1, 2011
The riding has begun
I am a blessed man.
Today is Canada day, I Live in the greatest country in the world. I recently celebrated my 30th wedding anniversary, I also recently celebrated my 25th anniversary at one employer, this past Fathers day was my 24th and to celebrate it, my beloved gave me a bike.
It's a hybrid bike made by a company called specialized. I bought it at "East side sports" in Kitchener and a huge shout out to Kelli and the gang at East Side for their amazing customer service, care and professionalism.
So, as the title says, the riding has begun. I plan on keeping this up and building the number of miles I ride gradually over the next few weeks. Today I rode 8 kms that's about 5 miles for my American friends. This riding business is all part of my drive to being well.
I want to be well and I want to live longer and I can affect that by taking care of what I eat and how much I exercise.
Happy Canada Day, the best country in the world is where I have been blessed to live since 1969 and I love it here.
I'll update you on my riding progress. I ride on mostly flat surfaces, no crazy trails for us. I plan on riding as much as possible with my beloved it's a great opportunity for us to get out, get active and spend time together in the beautiful creation around where we live.
Keep the wheels turning.
Today is Canada day, I Live in the greatest country in the world. I recently celebrated my 30th wedding anniversary, I also recently celebrated my 25th anniversary at one employer, this past Fathers day was my 24th and to celebrate it, my beloved gave me a bike.
It's a hybrid bike made by a company called specialized. I bought it at "East side sports" in Kitchener and a huge shout out to Kelli and the gang at East Side for their amazing customer service, care and professionalism.
So, as the title says, the riding has begun. I plan on keeping this up and building the number of miles I ride gradually over the next few weeks. Today I rode 8 kms that's about 5 miles for my American friends. This riding business is all part of my drive to being well.
I want to be well and I want to live longer and I can affect that by taking care of what I eat and how much I exercise.
Happy Canada Day, the best country in the world is where I have been blessed to live since 1969 and I love it here.
I'll update you on my riding progress. I ride on mostly flat surfaces, no crazy trails for us. I plan on riding as much as possible with my beloved it's a great opportunity for us to get out, get active and spend time together in the beautiful creation around where we live.
Keep the wheels turning.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Summer Solstice
The longest day based solely on the amount of hours of expected sunshine. It's a good thing it's not cloudy, yet. But what does it all mean? We are already beginning the downward flight to the Winter Solstice, it's six months to Christmas.
Summer has yet to begin and I'm already thinking about the dark dreary days of winter. Pretty sad, but it's a reality. I can almost see time fly. Someone said that time flies when you're having fun, not true. Time flies no matter what, it just seems to move faster through the pleasureable times.
So what? Is there something I can do about it? I don't think so, I just have to grin and bear it and this too shall pass.
I think I have used all the useless adages in one post today.
I think I need a break. A weeks vacation is coming in a week and a half and it's time to refresh and recharge the batteries. I'm feeling worn out, can you tell? that quote from Bilbo in the Lord of the Rings seems to express it best: "I feel like butter spread over too uch bread"
He said he felt "thin" an interesting comment from a hobbit, a class of people who are never thin, unless of course you are Gollum, who wasn't a real hobbit.
Talk about spiderwebbing. I seem to have covered much ground in talking about the summer solstice. Enjoy the sun, apparently it's to rain fornthe next four days.
Summer has yet to begin and I'm already thinking about the dark dreary days of winter. Pretty sad, but it's a reality. I can almost see time fly. Someone said that time flies when you're having fun, not true. Time flies no matter what, it just seems to move faster through the pleasureable times.
So what? Is there something I can do about it? I don't think so, I just have to grin and bear it and this too shall pass.
I think I have used all the useless adages in one post today.
I think I need a break. A weeks vacation is coming in a week and a half and it's time to refresh and recharge the batteries. I'm feeling worn out, can you tell? that quote from Bilbo in the Lord of the Rings seems to express it best: "I feel like butter spread over too uch bread"
He said he felt "thin" an interesting comment from a hobbit, a class of people who are never thin, unless of course you are Gollum, who wasn't a real hobbit.
Talk about spiderwebbing. I seem to have covered much ground in talking about the summer solstice. Enjoy the sun, apparently it's to rain fornthe next four days.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
and suddenly there isn't much time left
"You walk around feeling like a teenager and immortal your whole life and suddenly there isn't much time left"
I just read that quote in "The girl who kicked the hornet's nest". Lately I've been thinking about being on the wrong side of the hill. I'm not sure I am over it yet, the hill that is, but my best before date is drawing closer. I'm not being morbid or even maudlin, but realistic. I'm getting older. My children are getting older, one has left the nest, the other is preparing to do so.
This begs the question: what next? What is in store for me for the remainder of my life? What do I have planned? Not much actually. I need to keep working at least for 5-6 more years and then what? What can I do to impact this world in a positive sense? What does God want from me in order to impact this world? There has to be more than retirement planning, vacations, personal enjoyment, sitting and wasting away, doesn't there?
It's time to start seriously thinking about what time I have left. Just yesterday I spent time with the parents of my beloved who are both starting to tire. After that we spent time with some old friends, one of whom is fighting cancer. They too are starting to tire.
What is there for me to do?
With my skills what can I do to expand the Kingdom of God before I am called away from here?
What can I do to improve the lives of others before my best before time expires?
Who would have thought that a book filled with amazing characters and horrible sin would challenge me to look at my life in a different way? Amazing eh?
"and suddenly there isn't much time left"
How true!
I just read that quote in "The girl who kicked the hornet's nest". Lately I've been thinking about being on the wrong side of the hill. I'm not sure I am over it yet, the hill that is, but my best before date is drawing closer. I'm not being morbid or even maudlin, but realistic. I'm getting older. My children are getting older, one has left the nest, the other is preparing to do so.
This begs the question: what next? What is in store for me for the remainder of my life? What do I have planned? Not much actually. I need to keep working at least for 5-6 more years and then what? What can I do to impact this world in a positive sense? What does God want from me in order to impact this world? There has to be more than retirement planning, vacations, personal enjoyment, sitting and wasting away, doesn't there?
It's time to start seriously thinking about what time I have left. Just yesterday I spent time with the parents of my beloved who are both starting to tire. After that we spent time with some old friends, one of whom is fighting cancer. They too are starting to tire.
What is there for me to do?
With my skills what can I do to expand the Kingdom of God before I am called away from here?
What can I do to improve the lives of others before my best before time expires?
Who would have thought that a book filled with amazing characters and horrible sin would challenge me to look at my life in a different way? Amazing eh?
"and suddenly there isn't much time left"
How true!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Pre-fathers day thoughts
I had a serendipitous event today.
I ran into the sister of one of my closest friends from high school. After chatting I went to visit the parents of my friend.
Sadly, I learned that one of these fine folk is suffering from cancer. Almost a year ago that damned disease took someone from me. More and more will succumb to this dreaded disease because we live in a fallen world. All the research and fundraising will do nothing to eliminate this disease.
What was serendipitous then? We have not seen these people in such a long time. We shared where our lives have taken us in the last few years and we shared how our children our planning their lives to serve others. We shared our faith through the stories of our life experiences and we opened some doors and discussions that might allow us to develop deeper bonds before the dreaded disease takes our friend.
Sometimes life stinks. Sometimes it provides the impetus to deal with what really matters. There is more to life than death. I noticed a sign the other "it doesn't take courage to face death it takes courage to face life".
When it stinks we just have to have courage to face it. In all the joy of memories I was reminded by my friend to face life with all the courage that I can muster.
Are you facing it today.
Tomorrow is "fathers day", a day set apart for dads everywhere to get a new tie and to be feted by his wife and children. As a dad I want to face life with courage and integrity. In that way I hope to leave a legacy for my children and for others too.
Happy Fathers day to all the dads.
I ran into the sister of one of my closest friends from high school. After chatting I went to visit the parents of my friend.
Sadly, I learned that one of these fine folk is suffering from cancer. Almost a year ago that damned disease took someone from me. More and more will succumb to this dreaded disease because we live in a fallen world. All the research and fundraising will do nothing to eliminate this disease.
What was serendipitous then? We have not seen these people in such a long time. We shared where our lives have taken us in the last few years and we shared how our children our planning their lives to serve others. We shared our faith through the stories of our life experiences and we opened some doors and discussions that might allow us to develop deeper bonds before the dreaded disease takes our friend.
Sometimes life stinks. Sometimes it provides the impetus to deal with what really matters. There is more to life than death. I noticed a sign the other "it doesn't take courage to face death it takes courage to face life".
When it stinks we just have to have courage to face it. In all the joy of memories I was reminded by my friend to face life with all the courage that I can muster.
Are you facing it today.
Tomorrow is "fathers day", a day set apart for dads everywhere to get a new tie and to be feted by his wife and children. As a dad I want to face life with courage and integrity. In that way I hope to leave a legacy for my children and for others too.
Happy Fathers day to all the dads.
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