Yes, I Believe In Miracles

As we live our lives and try to live a good life, we cannot predict what may happen along the way. Looking into the crystal ball is not a sure way to know the future. The daily surprises of what could have been are not always a welcome suitor. The tribulations of the depressed, the neglected, the unwanted, lowly appreciated or even scorned are the invisible and untouchables that we no longer notice. The fragility of the human spirit is at its lowest as we feel more and more isolated from what our purpose is as human beings. The problems of health, finance, exclusion, grow more and more. Where do we start, how does it begin? I have found that each morning before work I like to lite a a few candles at the Notre Dame Basilica to say thank-you to God for this time and ask for guidance and help that I may make good choices and to help all in need. This time of prayer and candles to me is a way to connect to the human spirit. I am not a religious person but more of a spiritual person, lord knows that I like to be happy when out at night into the early morning. My life is not always easy, some due to my lack of good judgement or being naive and yes even stubborn. Yet I have have been able to lead a prosperous life and I do try to give back. Looking back at times I could say there have been " annus horibilis " in my life but also " annus mirabilis " where only because of a miracle could this take place. I will continue to embrace life and hope to grow as a responsable human being taking in the graces of this wonderful yet sometimes painful existence. If I did not feel that there is more to life I would be listless with no direction. We all wonder at one point where does it start and where does it end. Looking through the annals of time I have been a witness to direct intervention from above and at times this has been close to home, I shall say no more but yes I believe in miracles.

Once Upon A Time,

As the rain continues to wash the memories of certain things gone by I remember parts of my childhood looking through a kalidescope. The innocence of childhood pranks, careless wandering walk abouts and the curiousity of discovering something new. This time in my life that comes to tap me on the shoulder ever so often is often a welcomed friend. The childhood Lord Fauntleroy memories seems to hover around me like a playmate. My long curly locks, big brown eyes, velvet pants and chapeau to finish off the look. I believed then that I was the Petit Prince and would carry myself in such a royal way treating my subjects with disdain if I did not get my way. Even though harmless my actions at times surely hurt the ones that I dearly cared for. I sometimes miss these innocent romps of childhood carefree moments. The time has advanced and I have less time to slip back to mind wander. I have learned from these passages of life and it has led me to where I am to-day, still curious , naive and wanting to be noticed but more liking to serve. I most enjoy the time spent talking to people wanting to know more about them and feeling a kinship of just maybe having a new friend. I am glad that I am who I am as I will always keep these child like ways forever. My life stories are for all to read and the the first sentence starts, Once Upon A Time.

If Only We Knew

I would like to say to one and all it is a pleasure to be alive and healthy. As we look around us and take the time to realize that life is indeed a blessing. Neither one of us is untouchable or invincible to an ailment or injury. We can all in some way testify to human suffering of a family member or relative. We wake up this morning to see yet another day has been granted and oh how fortunate we are to be able to experience another awakening of human wonder, the sky above, the stars at night, the sun that shines so bright, the moon that lights up the darkness as we go about happy and carefree. The blossoms of the flowers and butterflies that nervously flap their wings prancing from one petal to the next. The sound of birds conversing as the winds senouslly pass through the branches of the trees, indeed life is the gift that has been bestowed upon us. How blessed we are to be able to have all of this around us, but nothing last forever. The hands of time tick away and the gurantee of lasting forevers becomes only an illusion. How priviliged are we to be able to testify of yet another day. Nothing is promised but we have the choice to live and uphold the values of respect for one another and to cherish the thought of being alive. Others are not so fortunate, suffering and anguish it is like the rolling of the dice you just don't know.How many of us express the happiness of being alive, maybe only when we have someone close who will not have this chance that we will have another day and they will not. To all where ever you are in any situation you have a powerful message to share I Am Alive. What a honor bestowed upon us. If only we knew.

What's Goin On

It has been more than a few days since I have written something, it has not been for a lack of something to write about but a question of time. I have had a very busy week since the elections for the S.D.C. Vieux-Montréal and also federal gouverment. In between the meltdown of the Stock Market and weakening of the world economy we seem to be in supended air not knowing when the cord will be cut and how far the fall will be. At this moment in time we all need to be reassured that this will only last for a moment and then we can forget and get on with the business at hand. If only that were true, the good times have come to a screaching halt as the conductor of the train has called for all to disembark. If only we could learn from this situation, it is like when we were all shocked to see the World Trade Center fall like tinder boxes, the aftermath was that a new era of understanding of peoples on the world stage would be implemented and put into action. Unfortunately this did not happen as the species that we are ,we did not live up to what we should have done. Instead America let there gouvernment place them in fear in order to have full control of the new political agenda. Canada, France, Mexico, protested and refused to be bullied into accepting a war that could not be justified, has the world bcome safer since Saddam Hussein is no longer there? Canada has sent troops to Afghanistan losing our reputation as a peace seeking nation, we once again elected a minority gouv't not having confidence in any one party to form a majority. We have lost touch with the human pulse, the intelligent race of mankind has become inward no longer to see beyond himself or his/her shortsighted desires. Instead of being respected they are despised, apathy is rampant and we are all to blame we have let ourselves become victims of our weaknesses, we have decided that nothing will make a difference, everything is the same. In a few weeks people will have a chance to take back their country if they so desire as the rest of the world holds its breath. What's goin on

THANKS , THANK-YOU , THANKFUL,THANKSGIVING

The day starts and we go about our business running at a torrid pace or nonchalantly like a tortoise who at one point or another will get there. How many of us as we get up in the morning say thanks to those who are always there, who if were not we would be in some way less apt to be as good as we project to be. To those dear friends, lover, family members and even fellow co-workers I say THANKS. As we move about in our prospective positions and duties less we forget to say THANK-YOU to those we may not know who come into contact with us : the person who opens the door, the teller at the bank , the waitress/waiter, the nurse/doctor,the person who works at the depanneur, the housekeeper,the hairstylist,the parking attendant, the bartender,the chauffeur,and to all who wait upon us in some way. I say to you who feel downtrodden, forgotten, neglected,abused in some way I light a candle for you so the light will shine and let you know that someone somewhere cares and remembers. My beloved Michelle who is in heaven with the angels I think of you as if you were next to me, oh how your brother misses you, but I am THANKFUL for the short time we had to share. To those who grow the crops so we shall eat and be fulfilled I say to each one of you thank goodness you are there. At this time of year we take a pause to harvest all of the wonderful moments that we shall not forget, the bountiful riches bestowed upon us from all you this season our canadian THANKSGIVING

Times are a changing

As we look beyond the plains swift winds are a blowin, the once blue calm skies are grey. There is a nervousness in the air. Everywhere you read there seems to be a perception that we are about to experience an unstability of new dimensions. The untouchables are now being scorched by the fury of wreckless behaviour. The once secure establishment has now lost its lustre and the beacon of light has dimmed. We are now looking at troubled unchartered waters. The compass of direction is no longer a source of surety. The captain has abandoned ship and it is each man for himself. The last count of unanswered is still unknown. These are turbulent times and the waters keep rising claiming victims in every social status. The mouth of greed is swallowing the have's and have not's showing little mercy. Each and everyone of us knows a casuality and fright has taken ahold of us. As human beings we are the hunter being captured by the game. Indeed times are a changing.

Politics, Politicians, Reality

The other night there were elections held in a basement of a world famous church. Democracy was being expressed on a human scale in a small way. Each candidate had a certain alloted time to expound his or her opinions about the Old Montréal Business Community. After the different speeches had been said the time arrived for each person in the audience to cast their vote. Once counted the results were announced. Joy was expressed by most in the audience and deception felt by those who were rejected by the crowd at hand. These moments can be most uplifting for those chosen and agonizing for those who lost. In a small way the people spoke and asked that there voice be heard. Celebrations were held and hugs and kisses were distributed freely. For those who were chosen , now they will carry a great responsibilty to the electorate. Each one of us will have to make wise decisions and be better than those who we preceeded. A great task lies ahead and we will be judged by the choices we make. I for one look forward to this challenge and will do all in my power to be the best President of the S.D.C. Vieux-Montréal. I look across the borders of Canada and see the wind of change is blowing across the lands of the United States and yet here in Old Montréal we have risen to elect a black man to a most prestigious post to represent the berceau of Montréal, how times have changed, we have even surpassed our southern neighbour , once again Montréal takes the lead, and now all that is left is for Americans to follow in our footsteps. People are looking for the best person to represent them in these troubled times. In a small way we have set the pace and we wait with great anticipation for others to follow. Maybe Obama next, but we were first, and that is a reality.