Ah, my...

Not too many years ago, it seems, I would never have imagined that this time would come. I'm going to be 60 this year, and somehow I just never gave survival to this age a consideration. Mind you, I only really wanted to die during the worst of my depressions, but this age was somehow 'way out there' and didn't bear thinking about. Today, Canada Day, is a special day for me and my family, and so thoughts of mortality whisper in and out of my mind, unbidden, all day.

It was 28 years ago that my brother, Garth, died. Suddenly, unexpectedly, you might almost say explosively. An unknown aneurism lurked in his body, and it chose this day of celebrations to make itself known. The medical people say that he died quickly, in just a couple of minutes, but leaving two young daughters and a wife, a budding administrative career in the civilian branch of the Armed Forces, and a family that loved him and admired him for his talents and abilities, means that the quickness of his death is little consolation for the huge loss.

He would be proud of his daughters if he were here. He would be retired too, and we could visit more often perhaps. Still, I take consolation in the fact that he did have faith, he was kind, generous and gave freely of his time and talents, so, as a believer, my consolation is my belief that he is enjoying the peace and comfort of Heaven at this moment.

Now, here's one of those things that makes you go 'Hmmmmmmmm...':

Quite some years ago we were in another parish. The parish had a program to raise funds for new hymnals, so you could donate the cost of a hymnal and dedicate it to whoever you liked and they would put a label to that effect in it. I paid for one in my brother's name and that was that. The parish purchased something like 300 hymnals as a result of this fundraiser. A little over a year or so later I was at church on the anniversary of his death. As an usher, one of my jobs was to tidy up the church before people started coming in for Mass. While doing so I was saying a prayer for my brother, hoping and trusting in our Lord's mercy that my brother would be sharing his blessings in Heaven. While I was doing this I picked up a new hymnal from a holder in a pew and turned to look at the dedication. It was the one I had made for my brother! I'm not going to state that it was a miracle or anything, but it certainly went a long way in reassuring me of God's love for us.

Hmmmmmmmm...


Oh, and Happy Canada Day, everyone!

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And he's not that old

California bishop resigns, says he has 2 kids

You have to suspect that he somehow got found out. Is it likely that his conscience was bothering him after so many years? Well, I admit it is possible. No one is past reclamation, and God is all-powerful.

There's really some things happening of late to the Church in the area of priests and sexuality. I wonder if the whole issue of married priests might be coming up faster than the present Pope and hierarchy would like?

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We don't understand them as well as we think we do

but they do love us as much (or more) than we think they do, as well...

In Defence of Dogs by John Bradshaw

And, on top of that, we should all open our families to them. Personal opinion, of course, and rescue dogs and non-pedigree dogs are by far the best...

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An 'awwww' story

from Oprah...

Why family adopted a grown man

It really is a story about caring...

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Requiescat in Pacem

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death, 26 years ago. Unexpected, sudden, tragic. I'm still not sure that I've dealt with it completely. But I miss him, and I love him. Rest in God's peace, Garth. You really are missed.

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And yet,

his experiences are not so different than mine.

Memories of a Catholic Boyhood

"Growing up in the parallel culture of the Church in the 1950s"

He relates his experiences growing up in the 1950s. I was born in the 50s, but my growing up was done in the 1960s. His family was similar to mine, priests, nuns, crucifixes and holy water fonts. He grew up in the suburbs, while I grew up in a working class section of a city. But our experiences were similar. Our religion defined us...

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awwww!

injured dog at Edmonton shelter nurses 5 pups and a kitten

"It's amazing when you think about it. You have this dog who is just so giving of herself, caring for these newborn puppies and the kitten, making sure they were cared for even though she was obviously in a lot of pain."

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This is true...

Parental Advice

Be sure to read his post below his cartoon.

SWMBO and I were just talking about something similar yesterday. The young fellow packing our groceries had no idea how to do it, what not to put with what, why you'd want runny things or smelly things in separate bags and so on. We observed that we had always shopped for groceries with the family when we were young. It was something that families did, and so we picked a lot of this stuff up by osmosis. Kids today are so involved in extracurricular activities that most of them likely never did that, they were too busy. A big change in the way things work in daily life...

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What is really important?

After the Bus Wreck

"In which a half-Jew slaps some sensibility into would-be converters by encouraging worst-case scenarios."

Experts is experts. Really.

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I'm of two minds on this myself

Some think churches’ crying rooms are a blessing

And my arguments for both sides are the same as anyone else's - are we a family or do I want to hear the homily and take part in the service?

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An utterly

charming post, full of love.

One 'Yes' at a Time

We may sit at different spots on this particular issue, but I love Danielle's writing and her attitude - her deep love of God and her family. Her smile radiates out of her writing. It makes my day brighter...

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For Dad...

I'm sure you won't read this as technology isn't one of your interests and the internet even less so, but here's my wish for you:




I love you, Dad.

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Well...

the reasons for the positions are so far apart as to be completely different.

A Southern Baptist Turns Catholic on Birth Control

One is about the sanctity of life and the sinfulness of preventing life from occuring, the other is about making more Baptists to fill up the more and more vacant churches. They need to have kids so they can save them. Not the best comparison, really...

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Today

is Mother's Day...



If your Mom is still with you, treat her nicely and love her. You'll miss her more than you could believe when she's gone...

Right now

they're very rare...


Married Catholic priests gain acceptance

"Family used to questions, but mainly they find they're accepted"

This is one incredibly mature couple, however...

There's always that question


Ties that bind?

Is it a destructive cult or a convenient label for a mother to use who is upset that her son has left the faith?

Very funny article

Time for Pre-Canine Counseling

"We're commanded by Christ to live in hope, in the hope that a loving Father will provide for our children and beagles a livable world -- or at least a really smokin' and satisfying Apocalypse."

True or not?

Faith Equals Fertility

"Religious people have more babies than non-believers--and not just for the obvious reasons. Anthony Gottlieb looks into a philosophical puzzle ..."

I know it's true in some cases I'm acquainted with, but not true in others...

I'm from a small family

though both of my parents are from very large families.

Thanks to Angelina Jolie, having lots of kids is hip

"My four children aren't status symbols. But they do represent an opportunity to share love."

I admire people who are willing to make trade-offs with the consumer culture and make sacrifices in order to have larger families, and to have a parent stay home with the kids while they need someone so I admire the author of the article.

The quote above makes me think that the author doesn't think much of the Jolie-Pitts for their adoptions, but I haven't seen anything to make me think that they're adopting children from other countries for any reason other than that these children need families, and they can give that, despite their celebrity status. The 'stars' that have been doing the adopting that attempts to mimic the Jolie-Pitt's are using the children for status symbols though, I think.

Right now I'd have to say that I admire Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt for what they're doing. If they ever show any evidence of being bad parents or using their children to further their careers I might change my mind. But until then - good on them.