As always, I started walking when the sun first lightened the horizon. This daily routine provides time to meditate and to recite poetry. A favourite quotation from Lorraine Hansberry's play, A Raisin In The Sun, came to mind: Child, when … Read more

My wife died in April, and I found myself alone in a two-bedroom apartment, trying to recover from prostate surgery, with my only child working overseas. The third day after the operation, I was a complete jelly and found myself … Read more

One day recently, enclosed with my Chatelaine magazine, I received a brochure from the Royal Canadian Mint with the title, "Rejoice, in the spirit of giving", in fairly bold letters. Then, in smaller letters, the following wording appeared: "Distinctive holiday … Read more

There are some things in my life that are consistent — going to bed at night, rising in the morning, brushing my teeth, and performing other routine acts that prepare me for the day. Five days each week have always … Read more

My wife and I have a bird feeder hanging just outside our kitchen window, and we enjoy watching the various kinds of birds that come to eat. Throughout one summer, two blue jays, in all probability mates who must have … Read more

When my youngest daughter left home a few years ago, she packed her large assortment of stuffed toys to take with her. But as she left her room, she hesitated in the doorway and said, "Mom, the room looks too … Read more

One of my clients has a couple of finches. They are such tiny little birds. I had never seen such little birds up close before. But there was something even smaller in the cage. There were about six teeny little … Read more

I have joined a gym recently. There are a few extra pounds that I need to get rid of. The gym has thirteen different machines on which to exercise. They are all in a circle. In between each of these … Read more

Among my possessions is a picture that I took years ago while hiking on the southern side of the island where I was born, Grand Manan. It isn't a spectacular picture. To another onlooker it is just a pile of … Read more

Several years ago, I became a palliative care volunteer in our local area. At first, I wasn't sure about all that this would entail, or how I could help the dying, but I did know what it was like to … Read more

Of late, I have come to this place to write, and I have started several messages that came to nothing. I paused today and asked God to inspire me, that I may be used of Him to give you a … Read more

Once the kettle has come to a full boil and we take it away from the heat, the steam ceases to come from the kettle. But if we leave the kettle to boil, the water inside will eventually boil dry. … Read more

Pray without ceasing … bear one another's burdens … Ask and it shall be given unto you … Today's verses from scripture are about prayer and helping others through prayer. When asked to take the devotional for a church breakfast … Read more

Recently, as my daughter was driving to work, she came across three baby Canada geese on the road. Their mother had been hit by a car. She, being the animal lover she is, didn't have the heart to leave them … Read more

It was a gorgeous summer raspberry-picking day! My daughter and I packed up our containers and motored away. Disappointment awaited, however, as the patch had been almost picked out. Still, we had travelled a fair distance to our destination, so … Read more

Around my neck I wear a small plain gold cross. Most of the time I don't display it. I wear it to remind myself of the sacrifice Christ made for me. The cross is plain because Christ is not there. … Read more

I never get tired of reminding myself what life is all about. I had a very special teacher in high school many years ago whose husband died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack. About a week after his death, … Read more

At this time of the year when Christmas cards arrive daily, I am reminded of the many friends God has given me. I realize that if it weren't for His goodness, I wouldn't have any friends. I used to be … Read more

"Climb that corporate ladder." "My goal is to be a department manager within five years." "I get so tired of having to answer to someone else. Some day I am going to be my own boss." We live in a … Read more

One of the first things a boy learns to make in Boy Scouts is a tripod. I am constantly amazed how one can take three sticks that cannot even stand up by themselves and by simply leaning them against one … Read more

Charlie Brown was pitching and doing a lousy job. Lucy was giving him grief, as usual. Finally, he could bear the misery and humiliation no longer. In an expression of exasperation that only Charlie Brown could think of, he stood … Read more

I have always had a passion for rocks. Sleek, smooth rocks. Chunky conglomerate rocks. Small, large, odd-shaped rocks. A favourite pastime when we were little was to take a hammer and smash open a rock to see what beauty lay … Read more

In 1967 while taking a class in photography at the University of Cincinnati, I became acquainted with a young man named Charles Murray who also was a student at the school and training for the summer Olympics of 1968 as … Read more

One of the most important things we were taught in our training as Hospice volunteers was to ask ourselves in each instance: "Whose needs are being met?" In other words, is what we are doing for our benefit, or for … Read more

I was having coffee with a friend recently and he told me this story of growing up on a farm in central Manitoba, Canada. "I was out plowing in a corner of our field when I saw this huge plume … Read more

The sky darkened as Jesus died. It was as though the sun itself could not bear to look down upon the deed people had done. This very same darkness awaits all who dismiss Christ from their lives. The temple veil … Read more