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To ask the question of people as to whether or not they have ever experienced setbacks in their lives would be ludicrous. We all have! Life would not be complete without them. We all know the story of the "Little Engine that Could" or the image of the caveman rolling the wheel up the hill. Nothing comes easy. Six weeks ago, I encountered a setback. It was minor compared to those who unexpectedly suffer through things that completely alter their lives. It certainly didn't compare to other moments … [Read more...] about Should I Open The Door?

Every time I go outside to attend to my flowers, I feel a spiritual presence.  I cannot help but think that God, once again, is in my garden!  First of all, it slows me down and changes my pace to something more peaceful and relaxing.  Any spiritual director will tell you that in order to pray and reflect well, that you must slow down, find a sanctuary and rest a while.  For me, this is my garden.  The simple acts of trimming or pinching off dead flowers or watering are moments that really … [Read more...] about God, Are You In My Garden Again?

While attending a conference in Jacksonville, Florida, I was graciously given an opportunity to experience a surprising and beautiful moment. It gave me a real heart-pounding sense of joy and gratitude, and I have not stopped smiling since it occurred. For many, this would be totally non-eventful but for someone from central Canada, it left me with a sense of wonder and awe. The hotel in which I was staying was located across the St John's River from the site of the conference. This necessitated … [Read more...] about Gracious Moments

The terrible fires and evacuations occurring at this time in Fort McMurray, Alberta, cannot help but make one feel great empathy for the people who are affected. The news reports and pictures depict the fear and pain in the eyes of those who have been asked to evacuate their homes. Their stability, their lives, their futures are at risk and, as with some events in life, all this occurred quickly and without warning. Interviews with fleeing residents tell stories of taking only the bare … [Read more...] about WE ARE MADE FOR EACH OTHER

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood" begins Robert Frost's well known poem, The Road Not Taken written in 1920. I stumbled upon a tree in a local park which reminded me of this verse and its meaning. Frost comments on the struggle we all have when it comes to choice or action in our lives. Do we ever really know what we truly want? Both “roads” may take one to the same place, but are we tempted to take the “easy” way to achieve our goals in life? Do we choose based on what others urge or have … [Read more...] about Which Way To Go?

Roberto Osuna, a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays has led an amazing life thus far. It is a story worth telling; however, life has not been easy for this young Mexican born athlete. The poverty, threat of street gangs, stray bullets, and drug lords infiltrated his childhood and humble beginnings. His passion to play professional baseball was and continues to be evident. We Torontonians cheer him on to succeed as a member of our beloved Canadian team. Close family ties bind him to his … [Read more...] about Faith Filled Passion

THE OLD HOMESTEAD A friend recently sent me a picture from back home in rural Quebec where I was born. She had told me that she was sending a picture of the house in which I grew up. I was indeed shocked and disheartened to see that the picture was that of an empty lot. My parents, now dead, had left this home in 1987. On visits back to Quebec, I would always drive by the property and sit in front of it, remembering moments of happiness, sometimes sadness, mostly contentment and things as … [Read more...] about The Old Homestead

The traditional and very old hymn, How Great Thou Art, begins with, "O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands have made. I see the stars, I see the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout, the universe displayed". Flying to California last week, I casually began singing this song ( in my head) as I gazed out the window. We were flying over a mountain range interestingly enough, called Sangre de Cristo (blood of Christ) It was a clear day and I was struck by the … [Read more...] about Awesome Wonder

On a recent trip to California, I found myself walking along the Pacific coast. I turned around and saw that I had left a long trail of footprints in the sand. I begin to think about the footprints that we all leave in this world. What will our legacies be? We all make differences with our lives. We are here for a purpose and sometimes it takes a lifetime for us to determine what that is. What choices do we make that will affect others in a positive way? What are our priorities? How will we be … [Read more...] about What Will We Leave Behind?

As I sit patiently in a waiting room of a busy Toronto hospital this morning, I look around at the faces of others. So many people, so many different ailments and concerns. A lady rests her head on a backpack waiting for her husband's tests to be over. She is tired. Her name is called. She jumps, startled and unsteady, and goes off to sit with him now that the procedure is done. A man is wheeled in by his daughter.  He is pale, a blue mask covering his nose and mouth.  He sits and patiently … [Read more...] about Let Go….Let God