Newspaper columns

A spring reflection on forgiveness and renewal

Speaking of spring, here’s a thought. Given the choice to be a human who walks on the ground or a seed that’s planted into the ground, most of us would opt for the human experience despite the various headaches involved. Not that seeds can’t have their day in the sun, so to

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An exploration of love and loss

Before Sunday’s Academy Awards, here’s a family story. He was 18 and she was 26 and pregnant, so they had a so-called shotgun wedding to save face, his and hers and the parents and the face of the family dog for all we know. Despite the odds, the marriage of Bill and Anne

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Reflections on Canada’s Olympic hockey setback

“Here we go again.” That’s all it said. The note came from an American friend from over the border. It was just before overtime last Sunday morning, before Team Canada and Team USA were to finish their Olympic gold hockey battle in Milano Cortina. My friend Brian knew

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How our family stories shape our lives today

BERLIN – The German capital knows winter these days. An ice storm recently canceled hundreds of flights including yours. But Tante Eva, your mother’s sister, has her warmth. You’re visiting while returning to Canada from work in East Africa. It’s good. In any season, Berlin,

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Life from the back of a boda-boda

Before I tell you about the boda-boda driver Godfrey, let me thank the government of Uganda for helping with my recent internet cleanse. Authorities turned the internet off during Uganda’s mid-January election to apparently give opportunity to reflect, to look in the mirror.

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Of sailing and surprises

Before something on sailing, here’s a thought on surprises. Don’t underestimate the power of surprise in this world. I’m reminded with every new year because today, January 3, marks my first day in newspapers. Gorbachev was dismantling the Soviet Union and the Berlin Wall had yet to fall. I was 23 and learning up from down.

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Finding joy in the hidden: a Christmas reflection on humility and love

Sitting on our home’s front window ledge these days is a simple sign that says, “Noel.” A
nativity scene is carved inside the letter O. I found it in a country store. The modest window in a window isn’t much. Except it is. This is how it goes with things hidden
in plain view.

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