My mother, from whom I learned the gift of giving and sharing, often used to smile and quip, "You'll get your reward in heaven!" Recently I had occasion to confront an organization that had earlier reamed out an elderly relative … Read more

When a family matter required my presence in another community off and on for several months, I had the pleasure of meeting Leon (not his real name), who lived across the street. He is an exuberant little kid who, thankfully, … Read more

My father-in-law was a remarkable man. When he passed away recently at the age of 94, we saw so much more of his life that we perhaps had taken for granted. As we moved through the material possessions that had … Read more

Recently, I received a statement of my contributions to our national pension plan, which stated that should my earnings continue at the level at which they have since I was 18, I could receive a retirement pension of $170.59. If … Read more

When I was little, one of our favourite songs, especially around the campfire, was Home on the Range. Even when one couldn't remember each verse, cups of cocoa or coffee in hand, bodies swaying, the words of the chorus were … Read more

The summer had been a busy one, family matters required our presence away from home more than at it, and so, in those times when we were home, it was a scramble to get things done — things like doctors' … Read more

A ravine abuts our back yard, and, as the years have passed, the trees have grown taller. It has long been a home to crows, and for some reason on Sundays they always seemed to hold what I called The … Read more