Category: Aging
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27. Drops of Mercy Not Beseeched
Though several years of my childhood, ‘Showers of Blessing’ droned daily from the kitchen radio. That was the signature hymn which opened an eponymously titled broadcast every weekday at noon on CFNB radio, Fredericton, New Brunswick. The program was hosted by a local preacher who sang in a shaky baritone accompanied by piano, played by…
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26. “Astonished to be a Conscious Thing” A Tribute
Most text messages are as disposable as recorded chatter. Yet I do not set a default timer on all of mine. I am particularly grateful that my recent text message exchange with an old friend was not automatically deleted. S. (otherwise anonymous herein) and I first met at university in Atlantic Canada in 1971. He…
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23. A Closer Look at MAiD
A few months ago, I was reprimanded by an old friend for an offhand comment about medical assistance in dying. In our chat at a Vancouver café, he had mentioned he was helping another friend with an application for that legal process known in Canada by its acronym–– MAiD. His friend was slipping into dementia.…
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21. Of an Approaching Expiry Date
When I turned seventy-fourth a few months ago, I received a video of three of my little grandkids singing “happy birthday.” Even though they stood a little stiffly and were urged on by their mom whispering in the background, I was touched. After the chorus, my daughter pointed her iPhone cam at each in turn…
