We are climbing up a mountain, and the landscape looks like Mars. Alternately rocky and sandy, the trail requires steady feet, but our shoes slip and slide over the red dust that coats everything. Other than the odd cactus dotting the steep slopes, this is a wasteland.
What a whirlwind. How else can I describe the flurry of these last few days? I’ve been spinning in circles from one house to the next, one car to the next, and one suitcase to the next. And now I’m here, sitting at Gate B25, waiting for my boarding call.
Many of you have been kindly emailing, phoning, texting, and dropping by, and the questions are always the same: “Are you excited? Are you nervous? Are you ready?” Continue reading
No, really, I am.
I have been tormenting my friends and acquaintances for days now with cryptic comments about exciting new developments in my mundane little life, and the day has finally come when I can shout it from the rooftops: I’m moving!
I just signed a two-year teaching contract with an international school in the legendary city of Casablanca. I’ll be teaching music to students from Kindergarten to Grade 5: my dream job, my dream climate, my dream of dreams in every way.
Dear Friends and Family,
Greetings from tepid Kingsville, where the Regehrs and Bretzlaffs have gathered to celebrate a green and drizzly Christmas. The task of chronicling our activities will be a simple one this year, since 2014 was not all that different from 2013 for most of us. Charmaine and I continue in our teaching positions at our respective schools, Dave continues his church work, Mary continues her grandmothering and volunteer work, and Nathan and Jocelyn continue with their teenage lives of school, hockey, and socializing. Really, there are just a few minor variations to note.
On the teaching front, I now teach Grade 1/2 part-time at Jack Callaghan Public School, and Charmaine teaches Grade 1 at South Shore Christian School. We both agree that, despite their relative helplessness, the wee ones are a hoot to teach. I have left my morning music position at Rhema Christian School and expanded my piano teaching schedule at home. I have a special affinity for teaching theory, and am blessed this year with a number of super-keen students who share my unnatural fascination with the circle of fifths. What a delightful way to spend five days a week.
Dave continues to minister at South Point Community Church, a contemporary Mennonite Brethren congregation in Leamington. In an age of religious conflict and church splits, the people at South Point have taken a step toward unity, and are celebrating a merger with the congregation of Calvary Baptist Church. The two groups had been sharing a building for some time, and now enjoy a combined service under Dave’s leadership.
Mary continues to volunteer at the MCC thrift shop in Leamington when she is not busy attending her grandchildren’s hockey, soccer, baseball or basketball games. Nathan is 16 and will soon be driving himself to the arena, where he spends time on the ice as both a goalie and a referee. I’m not sure how Jocelyn (13) feels about having her big brother ref her games, but she continues to thrive in sports, music and academics.
I continue my involvement with my choir, church, and synchronized swimming team; Charmaine keeps busy with her fitness classes, books, and puzzles; Dave belongs to a group of avid motorcyclists, who built him a bike in exchange for snacks; most of us enjoy a rousing game of Monopoly or soccer; and some of us have even been on a date or two this year.
As always, we are thankful for your warm and welcome presence in our lives, and think of you fondly throughout the year. All the best in 2015!
Love,
Natasha, Mary, Dave, Charmaine, Nathan and Jocelyn
When I said that I was jealous of Cancer, it never occurred to me that someone out there might be jealous of ALS. But apparently, that’s what’s happened.
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. There are so many horrible illnesses out there, none of which are receiving the attention that ALS has enjoyed over the last few months. There are many obscure diseases without cures, and many well-known diseases that still claim too many lives each year. So it’s understandable, I guess, that people with strong feelings about other illnesses would be annoyed with the glut of icy videos cluttering their newsfeeds. Maybe I should have been more sensitive to that in my last post.
I came across one comment, however, that I just can’t overlook. The level-headed peace-lover in me advises me not to engage in a debate about a post that is so clearly riddled with inaccuracies and spurious reasoning. But posts such as these continue to receive nods of approval from readers I otherwise admire, and I have strong (and admittedly personal) feelings on the matter; and so I can’t help but address the points raised by this passionate commenter.
Comments following August 26 meme post on Facebook
I am angry with this thing called Cancer. Most of us are. We often hear it said that Cancer has “touched everyone’s lives” in some way. This is true. And it’s natural to hate the thing that causes loss.
But that’s not why I’m angry with Cancer. I’m angry with Cancer because I’m jealous of it. I have been for years. It’s infantile, I know, but I have wished it upon my family. “Cancer,” I have thought, “would be better than this.”
Let me tell you why.
I asked my dad two questions today, as I stood beside his grave.
I, who walk upon this earth that covers him, have before me an uncertain future (as do we all). I have decisions to make that will steer me upon this earth in any number of unspecified directions, in circles or meandering lines, with a maddeningly undetermined end point.
“What would you say, Dad, if you were still alive? What should I do? How should I choose? What would matter to you?”
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