Monthly Archives: May 2013

The race was on! 

My brother and his son were both neck and neck in the race to receive their doctorates. 

Murray (the brother) had worked for 12 years to complete at doctor in theology degree.  David (his son) had been working for 8 years to complete a doctor in veterinary medicine.

Only one would have “official” recognition first.  Convocation dates were important.

Yesterday my brother won the race!  He graduated at a ceremony held in convocation hall on the University of Toronto.  His son will convocate on June 12th. 

Of course, the achievement and work that goes into this type of academic achievement cannot be overlooked.  Both have gone far beyond most of us.  And both carry their studies lightly.

They laugh at each other, they enjoy other people’s company, they are “normal” people.

Congratulations to two very unusual men who both love God, love others and somehow in between have found special places of service to both God and those who surround them day by day!

I can’t believe that time flies. 

First off, that is a metaphor – the wings of time and even the picture of Father Time as an actual person is improbable (OK, impossible!).  Secondly, what does that mean – time flies?  Is this a thought about speed?  Or the ability to become less than earthbound (for us humans who love our freedom!)?  Thirdly – OK, you get the idea . . .

With that out of my system (which system, you ask?), only two months remain.  On July 13th I will be getting remarried. 

Since we became engaged in January, we’ve tried to add up the days  we have seen each (literally – being able to look in each other’s eyes!).  We think we have too many fingers.  If you caught that convoluted way of adding up how few days we have seen each other, I would love to have you as my accountant!

On Friday, Cynthia and I ventured to Ontario to be at my brother’s graduation (with a Doctorate in Theology).  This is now the longest stretch of consecutive days we have seen each other.   

The opportunity to be together is heightened by the realization that my brother is also officiating our wedding.  So we have been talking ceremony, and graduating to a new era in our lives, amongst many other related topics.

Which brings me to time flying, two months and graduating. 

Did you just see yesterday passing by and tomorrow approaching at the speed of light?  When I awoke this morning, that’s exactly what I saw!!  And I’m not so sure that was a metaphor that whizzed past my shoulder.

Yesterday I received an encouraging email.

A few months ago I had asked for permission to place a memorial to my wife who passed away a year ago (May 17, 2012) on her father/mother’s gravestone.  The official name is a plinth.

The inscription was in memory of Jill, their daughter.  The gravestone is in the Deseronto cemetery in Ontario.

The monument company was willing to prepare the plinth along with it’s inscription.  But they had not been sure when this could be done. 

I am currently in Ontario for my brother’s graduation with his doctorate (a promise made some 10 years ago). 

Combine all of these thoughts and the email arrived.  The plinth was now in place!  So today, although not originally in the plans, a quick trip was made out to Deseronto.  And the plinth was viewed.  A great memorial!!

Yesterday I  began the day with the searing and braising of a roast in a slow cooker.  Now, the recipe had stated that cooking a blade roast might take three to four hours per pound.  This roast was 5 pounds.  At the far end of the scenario spectrum, this would take 20 hours.  More likely 15 hours if I followed this pattern.

I got up and seared the roast at 3:00 am and placed it in the slow cooker.  At 8:00 am I plunged the thermometer into the roast.  DONE!  So much for the instructions.  Took the roast out, cut it up, left it in its juices and placed it in the fridge.

Meanwhile, at the same time I read my emails.  One of them was from my guests for the evening hour.  They were unable to attend. 

So one good sized roast and no one to join me.

Throughout the day I found a couple who would be willing to join me.  And later in the afternoon, talking to another person, found that they were also available.  The only restriction was time. 

We ate from 6:00 – 7:00 and enjoyed each other’s company along with the food.  Now, that was fun!  I just enjoyed being with others and hosting them.

With the busyness of these last few months, I’m glad to be thrust back into the role of hospitality.  I’m already thinking ahead to these next few weeks to see who else I can invite over (of course, I’m quite open to being invited out as well!).