A young mother comes into the coffee shop with her three-year-old daughter. - Do you want a doughnut? - No. I want to go home. - Mommy can buy you a chocolate milk. - No. I want to go home. Mommy sees some friends at one of the tables and goes to talk to them. … Continue reading Who is the victim here?
children
Self-esteem versus reality
I think of this topic every time I look for a birthday card for one of my grandchildren. It is difficult to find a suitable card, most are full of language stoking the little darling’s self-esteem. I would rather choose a goofy card than one that tells them how special, unique and wonderful they are. … Continue reading Self-esteem versus reality
Parents and contagious faith
In June 1953, at the age of eleven, I was confirmed and became a full member of the Anglican Church of Canada. After the service, our local minister handed me a little red book, containing questions for self-examination before communion. They were searching questions and I remember taking that little red book on a Saturday … Continue reading Parents and contagious faith
This blog’s first anniversary
June 13 was the first anniversary of this blog, a milestone that suggests a need to reflect on what I am doing here and where I want to go. As a side note, June 13 was also the date of our daughter's fourteenth wedding anniversary. That is an event much more worthy of celebration. It brought … Continue reading This blog’s first anniversary
I have a perfect Father
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of … Continue reading I have a perfect Father
Getting the point across
My wife and I were getting ready to go to Saskatoon, an hour’s drive from our home. I thought we needed to leave by 9:30 to accomplish all we wanted to do. I busied myself getting ready, preparing the things I needed to take to the places I needed to go. My wife was busy … Continue reading Getting the point across
Don’t quit before you’re done
Sixty years ago, Ted Geisel was challenged to write and illustrate a book for six- and seven-year olds, using only 225 words. Nine months and 500 revisions later, The Cat in the Hat was ready for publication. The Cat in the Hat actually uses 236 words and is 1629 words in length. Of the 236 … Continue reading Don’t quit before you’re done
Dare to be a father
A single mother was complaining about the school her boys attended; there were too many First Nations children (“Indians” she called them). I observed the conduct of her boys and thought to myself that they suffered from the same affliction as many First Nations children in our area: they did not have a father. We … Continue reading Dare to be a father
I dreamed there was no God
Another post from When I Was Thirteen by Christina Young, the followup from yesterday's post. June 1, 1897 This is Sunday morning, and also the first day of June. Everyone else is sleeping still, as the sun is just coming up over the trees at the ditch. I got up early like this, because I … Continue reading I dreamed there was no God
Today we washed the sheep
Another excerpt from When I Was Thirteen, by Christina Young of Waubuno, Ontario May 31, 1897 Today we washed the sheep. I guess I had better describe how it is done, as the fashions may be changed by the time my descendants are able to read this. There are so many new ways of doing … Continue reading Today we washed the sheep
Flatlander Faith 