I Believe In Angels

This was a hard year for our family. I think it was a hard year for many Albertans. Heck, it was probably a hard year for most of humanity.

Because of this, I was a little apprehensive about heading into the holiday season. Being immersed in school work, I planned to wait until December before hauling out the tree and accoutrements. I made it to November 29^th before succumbing to my son’s big eyes, pleading for the tree to go up and one more box of decorations to come out. Just one more box. Just one more...

He’s smart. Last night I sat on the couch to study while the tree sparkled cheerfully in the corner and I felt content and peaceful. Maybe Christmas shouldn’t be postponed. Maybe Christmas is exactly what I need.

As I basked in the glow of the tree lights and reflected on my life, I remembered all the angels who have helped our family this year. Not winged seraphs dressed in white robes singing “Glory to God in the Highest”, but angels dressed in regular clothes, quietly going about doing good.

We all need angels, especially in these hard times. Angels in all shapes and sizes – mothers, fathers, children, friends, teachers, volunteers, healthcare providers, emergency responders, neighbours, employers, and strangers. They are you. They are me. Helping, sharing, loving, and spreading peace and good will to all men.

If this is Christmas, I’m ready.

I wish you all a joyous – and angelic – Holiday Season.

Inexperienced Judges

A few weeks ago Harambe, a male gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo, was shot to save the life of a four year old boy who fell into his enclosure.

While this was a terrible tragedy, I was alarmed at the outcry on social media. Some suggested the gorilla should have been saved at the expense of the child while many others screamed gross parental negligence.

I have a few things to say about that. First, if she took her kids to the zoo, she was trying to be a good mother.

Second, those who don’t have kids don’t get to make judgments about those who do. Unless you babysit regularly or work in a daycare, you simply have no idea how fast and smart and resourceful those little people can be – some more than others. All it takes is one trip to the bathroom, or one glance in the opposite direction. Yes, care-givers need to be vigilant but perfection is impossible. Mistakes happen. Accidents happen.

Those with one child shouldn’t judge those with two, those with two shouldn’t judge those with three, and so forth. Likewise, if you don’t have teenagers, preschool boys, twin girls, or a special needs child, you don’t get to judge those who do.

Here’s a novel idea: Maybe we just shouldn’t judge one another.

That can be hard. For example, I wonder why those who noticed the child go through the fence didn’t grab him by the ankle and hang on. After all, it takes a village – to help, not criticize.

At Times Like This

I’m writing this on Wednesday, May 4^th, the day Alberta waited to see which way the fires would go next.  I’m watching the town I lived in for five years burn. I’m in shock. My heart is heavy. Tears are close to the surface. I’m grateful for social media to keep track of my friends as they leave Fort McMurray – some heading north, some south.

A family of six is asleep in my basement, in beds we made at midnight when we heard they were headed our way. It took them a gruelling twelve hours to make the four-hour journey to Westlock.

Two days before these events, I found myself restless and uneasy. I felt guilty sitting in my comfortable house with a full belly. I couldn’t think of the unrest in the world and not feel an urgency to do something about it. But what? Since January I’ve had to become vigilantly frugal and live on a budget tighter than ever, so donating cash wasn’t an option.

Forty-eight hours later, with our own evacuees headed this way, I had my answer.

At times like this I am so impressed with my fellow humans. They pitch in and give – time, money, food, shelter, and whatever else is needed over the next days, weeks, and months.

Amidst the tragedy and chaos there is purpose and calm as we put aside our differences and unite to preserve the things that matter to us all – life and love.