Pocketful of Memory Cards

Early in December I followed the instructions on Day 8 of the Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar and made a Wishing Tree in a corner of my front yard.  It might surprise you, but I gave it some serious thought before I did it.  In the past, doing things that are outside the mainstream have brought me mocking comments or eye rolling from some of the people I know.  Then there was the fact that in the past our car had been vandalized with an obscenity, requiring  a new paint job.  Some of the moonlights in the front yard had been stolen or broken, and there are a few fences and stop signs in the neighbourhood with graffiti on them.  I was concerned that I'd be constantly replacing stolen pens and markers and that some people would write rude comments on the wish tags, or use the markers for more graffiti.  I decided to ignore the imagined mockers, and since I had committed to the Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar, I was committed to following throug...

I've been sitting here with fingers resting on home row, trying to figure out what to type, whether to mention the tragic events that took place last Friday in Newtown or ignore them completely.  They don't seem to have a place in a post with a theme of gratitude, but it seems disrespectful to ignore the unimaginable, inexplainable incident that has saddened people around the world and torn lives apart.  It just doesn't feel right to express gratitude when so many parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, emergency responders and more, are struggling with emotions so very far from gratitude.  I could say "I'm grateful my children are healthy and safe", but somehow it seems insensitive.  I could write "I'm grateful we have gun control" but that seems unkind, as though I'm judging or wagging my finger at the U.S., as though we are superior in some way.  I think it would be foolish for us to think something like this could never happ...

In the spirit of my How Did I Get Here post, I thought I'd share a few of the online places I visited last week before PMC goes back to being just a photo blog. This site really tugged at my heart strings.  What generous souls these people have.   Heartfelt is a an organization of photographers who volunteer their time and skills to give the gift of memories to families of premature or still born infants as well as kids with serious illnesses. If you've been inspired by their generosity and would like to connect with like minded people,  People for Good  is a fine place to start.  They have 209 suggestions for ways to do good, and they've posted a few videos on how small acts of kindness have made a big difference in their own lives.  Their goal is simple but honourable  "... to make the world a better place, one good deed at a time." Here's an clever way to help get your camera back if it gets   stolen lost .  And if you...

Taha'a sunrise  March 8, 2011 6:13 a.m.*  To me the morning sunrise represents renewal and hope. Each day begins with a blank slate and an infinite number of possibilities.  We can't choose what the day will bring, but we can choose how we will deal with the adventures and challenges that come our way.  This morning I'm thinking about two people who recently gave me advice on how to approach these challenges - one person I've never met, the other I've known since birth. I'm thinking of the last words of Jack Layton, who will be laid to rest today: "My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear.  Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world." I'm thinking of the similar words from my mother whose ashes were interred at the gravesite of her parents in Saint John this past Thursday morning.  Her last message to us was a bible verse from Corinthians...

My father-in-law is quite a character.  He’s seen some amazing things since his birth in England in 1918.  He’s a gifted story teller and I’ve seen him hold friends, relatives and strangers spellbound recounting his experiences in India, Burma, Egypt and Ethiopia between 1937 and 1944.  After the war and a short stint in Canada, he and his family lived in Venezuela for 20 years, which afforded him the ability to travel around the world on vacation with his family.  He has many stories of the family’s experiences to share, including many amusing ones about his youngest son, now my husband.   Though he’s a compassionate, generous and kind man, he also has a pessimistic side and it never fails to create some lively arguments discussions between the two of us when he comes to visit.  We had a particularly passionate one over blackberry pancakes and bacon this morning, debating the inherent goodness or evilness of the individual. Both being stubborn in...

One last photo from my Mom's house 1 Corinthians 13:13  Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love.