Special 2

      I'm sure that you have experienced wanting to be in two places at the same time. It happened again to me on Monday: the public hearing for Harmony was taking place at the same time as our daughter's Special Olympics basketball practice where I have been volunteering.

     Harmony is a cause that has been at the forefront of our minds for over a year now. We were determined to see it through and support the amazing folks at UNITI who have been championing the case for inclusive, affordable, supportive housing for disabled folks and others. Special O basketball has been short of volunteers lately and without a safe ratio of coaches & volunteers to athletes, the program can't run. As it turned out we got to both places and were able to register our support for Harmony while also getting to basketball practice.

     Special Olympics basketball has become so important to us over the years. We have seen the coaches work miracles in increasing skill levels, confidence and camaraderie among these dozens of athletes who range in age from eight to fifty eight. For some of the athletes this is the one activity in their week that they really look forward to!

     And as for Harmony, we have been watching and waiting and trying to get the word out. This issue is so important to people like our daughter. The folks at UNITI have been working tirelessly to get this much needed project off the ground. We are in awe of their energy, dedication and unrelenting desire to see this community built. Now their hard work has paid off; Harmony will go ahead!

     Anyway I'm glad that we were able to get to both places. It was well worth the drive and so rewarding. I am humbled by all these special, amazing people at Special Olympics and UNITI; they are heroes and I applaud them. Thank you all for all that you do!!

Marriage

     My eighty-eight year old father recently had a bout of food poisoning or something like it and was in bed, nauseous, dizzy, sweating and having diarrhea. Before we knew what it was, it seemed serious. I ended up calling 811 at the suggestion of a friend and had a productive conversation with a nurse. We came to the realization that perhaps calling an ambulance would be best. My father did not want to go to the hospital and let us know it in no uncertain terms. So my mother did something totally unexpected--- she got into bed with my dad to talk to him and offer comfort. It seemed like the most natural thing in the world to her and to me, it was beautifully sweet. It was a photograph that I wish I could have captured and it is a picture that will stick with me forever.

     When I take my parents to church on Sunday they often hold hands and seem so content to be there together, sitting side by side, singing together, as they have done for almost their entire lives. To see my old dad, unable to stand for long, standing and loudly singing "I Vow to Thee My Country" with my mum at his side brings tears to my eyes. Again I wish I could preserve these images forever but I will have to be content with the ones in my mind’s eye.

     There is something so lovely about a marriage that has lasted decades and has withstood the rigors of life. They haven’t had perfect lives or a flawless relationship, but to me they represent faithfulness, patience and perseverance. Their story is not yet over but they show us all what it takes to be there until the end. Just love.