Christ in the unexpected

Sometimes Christ turns up in the most unexpected places. Saturday I was walking downtown when I met a young lady and her partner. I had encountered them over the years through community work. Sadly she was much changed. Her hair, once long and lovely, was now shaved back radically--the result of chemotherapy. She greeted me with a frail hug. As I listened to her sad tale she suddenly reached towards me and said, "Your button is undone." She then proceeded to do up the top button on my jacket. Her partner explained that she has been doing up peoples' buttons since she left the hospital. A simple act of caring from one who has experienced much darkness--Christ in the unexpected.

A wild ride

Yesterday the object of my husband's affections came here to stay. It became quite apparent by Saturday morning that he was deep in the throws of an affair. By noon, it was evident without a doubt, pictures were all over the computer screen and he was pondering leaving by 2p.m. for Toronto. Spring fever came early this year-- must be the warm weather. A quick phone call tied things up. By 5 pm we had picked up Jo in Ancaster and were heading for Toronto to check things out. We arrived in North York and after chasing up and down New Westminster looking for a certain number without success, we found it. A pleasant young man led us underground to the object of my husband's passion, a beautiful 1987, freshly red painted, red leather interior, Toyata Supra. We slid inside, oh yes, what a car. I caught the passion; Paul paid the bill. Paul and Jo took it for a ride. By 2a.m. we were home with our glistening new possession, bought for a very fair price.
This noon, at a church luncheon, Paul shared his passion with two middle aged buddies. Their eyes twinkled at the mention of the car. To our surprise they both confessed to having owned one or two in their past lives. As much as we are different, we are very much the same.

Paris 1919: amusing ideas

I am currently reading "Paris 1919" by Margaret MacMillan for entertainment on a rainy day before an insane workstretch starts. Quote from p.47 "The Canadians also caught up in the general feeling that borders had suddenly become quite fluid. They chatted away happily with the Americans about exchanging the Alaska panhandle for some of the West Indies or possibly British Honduras. Borden also spoke to Lloyd George about the possiblity of Canada taking over the administration of the West Indies." I would love to know whatever happened to those brilliant ideas!
Another idea: p.54 "Every afternoon the doors opened and footmen carried in tea and macaroons. Wilson was surprised andd somewhat shocked at first that they should interrupt discussing the future of the world for such a trivial event, but, as he told his doctor, he realized that this was a foreign custom that he might as well accept." I definitely think everyone should stop work mid afternoon for tea and macaroons brought in by footmen! Imagine the change in perspective it could engender.

Farewell Christmas holidays

And so it is over, today we drove our youngest two almost three hours back to school. On Tuesday the youngest will fly back to B.C. We spent Saturday night with Jordan and friends playing Rummikub and listening to Ben Folds' CDs. Jordan did manage a fair number of recording sessions while he was home. He calls himself a cross between Beethoven and Ben Folds, not a bad description of his piano work. Both Jordan and Jo anticipate a heavy semester.
The photo is from our Boxing Day expedition which culminated in the viewing of Narnia--well worth the viewing for all lovers of Aslan. (Right click on the picture to refresh picture quality, for the uninitiated, will clear the photo.) The photo introduces Jer's girlfriend....I need to ask her permission to publish her name.
During the holidays I was asked twice by one aging professional and another younger one if I thought having kids was worth it. Is it worth midnight feedings, dirty diapers, tons of tuition expense?.....Children are a gift from God to be welcomed into our homes....sure the workload can be intense when they are younger....no pain, no gain.....it is wonderful to watch each one discover their gifts and talents and start to use them. Each child is a unique individual and as parents we seek to discover their potential and nurture it. Can anything else in life be more rewarding?