Monday, December 11, 2017


FOLLOWING THE HEART

It was late in the year and the sun was setting earlier and the chill was in the air and I felt no reason to move from my comfortable spot next to a warm wood stove. Then came the call from our neighbor there was as family stranded on the road and the Father had walked to the nearest house which was about a half mile away.  We had older folks next to us so they had called for us to help out. Charlie was a mechanic and I could help out so we got into our pickup which already had a tool box and tools plus a flash light and went to see what we could do. Our cabin was far enough off the road but at night you could see the lights from the main road. Apparently they were travelling north to Fort St John and their car had quit on them. The timing was unfortunate as the traffic was sparse and they had pulled over and had sat for a time trying to get someone’s attention, the cold was settling in and the Father had decided he had better go for help.  There were five of them: A ten year old son and two twin girls. Charlie looked over the situation and decided he could not fix the car as the parts he needed were not available until morning. The generator had failed and the battery had lost its power.

The Father, whose name was John Russel, and he introduced his wife Mary, his son Benjamin and twin daughters Rose and Maple. We discussed what best to do and we made the suggestion they come home with us and we would put them up for the night. They were at first hesitant but we soon convinced them it was best and had them bring their suitcases with them. We all piled into the back of the truck and headed for the cabin. Charlie drove and John and Mary sat in the front and I got in the back of the truck with the twins and Benjamin.

We were soon at the cabin and one could hear the generator running and we explained that’s because we had no running water; just an outhouse and a wood stove.

The cabin was three bedrooms. We put John and Mary in one room, the twins in another and Benjamin could sleep on the floor with his sisters. Charlie and I took the other room and laid our sleeping bags out and the extra one for Benjamin. Once we settled in I made some hot chocolate. The cabin was warm and the talk turned to the reason they were on the road. John was a brand inspector and had been offered a job with the BC government and would be headquartered in Fort St. John. He wanted to check out the area and just generally get a feel for the people and conditions. He understood the weather would be colder than southern Alberta and generally the living conditions would be a little more rugged. His family chimed in, “That’s for sure.” It seemed the twins were reluctant to leave their friends but Benjamin liked the challenge as he smiled at his dad and added, “It’s a chance to learn to homestead and Mom hasn’t baked bread or other dishes on a wood stove.” The twins groaned and Mary looked at John and said, “It would probably be good for all of us.”



I hadn’t given my name yet and Charlie, knowing I was little bashful, said: “Tipper is his full name and of course we call him Tip.”  I smiled and noticed Rose smiling back. It was time to go to bed so we said our good nights and Charlie set the alarm for 7AM seeing it was a Friday Night. The following morning came quickly and we soon got busy loading the wood stove and preparing breakfast: Eggs, bacon, toast and hot chocolate. The guests had stirred earlier and made use of the outhouse. Maple made a wry remark saying I’m sure glad the wind wasn’t blowing. We all laughed and I said: “We had a fire in the bathroom last fall but thank goodness it didn’t reach the house.” Benjamin had a good laugh at that and Charlie interrupted saying John and I best get to town and pick up the parts we need. He suggested we all relax until he got back. It was a 45 minute trip to town and probably an hour and a half to replace the generator. He told me to take my car and take the battery out of John’s car and charge it. Benjamin volunteered to come with me and we set out to complete the task. We hooked the charger to power at the cabin and set the charger on high. It was ready an hour later and we returned to hook it back up.

We no sooner got done when John and Charlie drove up. He had the parts and I didn’t take long to get them installed. Charlie started up the vehicle, John grinned, got in and started for the cabin. Charlie jumped in the truck and followed. We followed and soon we were helping the Russel’s get their suitcases loaded. John wanted to pay Charlie for his time but Charlie would not hear of it. We said our good byes and they left. I thought it was a nice interruption.  Charlie agreed and said he wouldn’t mind seeing Maple again. I grinned and Charlie said, “What?” I laughed and said, “The twins were noticeable, right?”

It was Saturday night and we were looking at our assignment at church. Charlie was 1st counselor and I was second in the Branch Presidency. We were Mormons and held our meetings in a rented hall in Dawson Creek.  Our area encompassed Fort Saint John and Taylor flats. The Branch President was away that week so we were house sitting until he got back and Charlie was taking care of the meetings. I was assigned to speak and there were about twenty members there. We were about to start Sacrament meeting when in walked the Russel’s. We were caught flatfooted. Charlie got to welcome them and we soon were introducing them. When the meeting was over John suggested we go out to eat and it would be his treat. We were sure being Sabbath breakers would be OK. I winked at Rose and said, “What a welcome surprise to find out you were LDS for it sure was nice to know we had been on our best behavior.” John and Mary smiled and Mary said: “It could not be a better day. John has accepted the job. We have found a rental in Fort St John and we will be moving in as soon as possible. The Branch is big enough to be workable and we are sure we will be ok here.”

Rose was sitting next to me at dinner and I said to her folks, “We could come and help in the evening or a Saturday whatever works for you to help with the moving.” Mary said that was great and thought this coming Saturday at noon would work. She wrote down the address and handed it to Charlie. I leaned over and said to Rose. “Are you happy about this move? She said she was now and my heart skipped a beat. I leaned over to Rose and said quietly: “It’s great that you’re staying and how happy that makes me.” She looked at me for a moment and said, “It pleases me also.” So it was that Charlie and I began to see the twins; but none of us were aware of the trials to come. Our relationship with the twins was progressing. They were twenty years old and Charlie and I were twenty four. His birthday in January and mine in August. Charlie talked about Maple and said she was so sure of herself. He liked the way she took hold of life and her ability to be at ease with him. He said he was so eager to see her and was finding himself happier than he could remember.

Rose, on the other hand, was positive in her approach to people also. She was a little withdrawn but in a sweet and caring way. She was slow to anger and was generally happy. Charlie and I liked the twins just the way they were and proof of it was we both were sure we could change some to accommodate these two great gals. Several weeks went by and we had had several dates and now we had broken off in pairs. The following news came three days later. Mary and Benjamin had been in a car accident. They were T-boned by a drunk driver and their injuries were quiet severe. Benjamin had a broken leg and arm plus a gash in his left side.

Mary was in critical condition. She had a severe head injury - two broken ribs and a black eye. Charlie and I arrived at the hospital that evening and were greeted by John and the twins. I was asked, along with Charlie, to give Mary and Benjamin a blessing and we agreed. Mary was unconscious and I needed time to take a deep breath and say a silent prayer so I asked for a minute.

I was to seal the anointing and give the blessing. “Mary Russel, having the authority of the holy Melchizedek priesthood, we bless you with the spirit of the Holy Ghost to be your comforter. You will suffer from your injuries but have the promise of recovery. You will regain a sound mind in time and your family’s prayers and faith will be a shelter of protection for you and them. Mary, while you are unconscious we promise you that you will be aware of the Lord’s presence and He will hold you close and bring the healing balm that is so needed. All will be well and you will awake and be chosen of the Lord.

In the name of Jesus’ Christ. Amen”



I anointed Benjamin and Charlie sealed the anointment and pronounced a blessing.

“Brother Benjamin Russel, by the authority of the Holy Melchizedek priesthood,  I seal this anointing and bless you with the knowledge that your Savior is here and is watching over you. Your time on earth is extended and always remember to thank your heavenly Father for His gift of life at this time. You will recover and be granted insight as you follow the Savior.

In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen”



Charlie and I hung around the hospital until visiting hours were over. The immediate family could stay. Rose hugged me and said “I’m glad you’re here.” Charlie was comforting Maple and gave her a hug. We visited every night for a week and Mary had not opened her eyes. The following day she looked up and called John’s name. He had tears in his eyes while saying, “I’m here Mary”. She reached for his hand and said, “Benjamin is he ok?” The conversation continued as Mary cleared away the fuzz and was current with what happened. The doctor was called and ushered John and the twins out of the room while he examined Mary. Pretty soon the doctor came out and said she will have quite a bruise for a while but she will be Ok. Later when Charlie and I were on the scene, we learned that the twins had erupted in tears. The week had taken its toll on their emotions and now that their mother was OK, the strain of almost losing her was almost two much. They had hugged the doctor and he was so happy for them. Rose looked over and signaled for me to come with her. We went out to the waiting room and she said: “You were there all the way for us. It will be another week before the doctor releases mom and Benjamin but I want you to know you have become very special to me.” Then she put her arms around me, kissed me, then put her head on my shoulder and cried quietly. We went back and talked to Benjamin who was delighted with the news of his mother but could not move round. His leg was in a cast, his arm was in a cast, and the gash in his side was taped and healing.

Maple and Charlie came over holding hands and John interrupted, saying: “Why don’t you kids take a break and go out and eat.” John said he would stay and be with Mary and Benjamin. We found a restaurant nearby and once seated the conversation turned to the accident. Charlie had learned that the drunk who caused the accident was in custody and had insurance. He was a young man with no record but had been driving under the influence. The hospital bills would be handled by his insurance plus other costs. We talked about other things but ended up with Maple saying she was going to take the sacrament with more reverence and thought. There was full agreement.

Rose and I had little chance to be alone as all of our time was concentrated on the well-being of Mary and Benjamin. Over time Benjamin and Mary fully recovered and meanwhile Charlie and I continued to see the twins. Finally one evening when Rose and I were alone I was acting differently and Rose said, “Tip, what is happening.” I looked at her, swallowed hard and said: “You know I like being with you right?” She nodded and said, “You also know I have steady job with the government.” She nodded again. “Well, do you remember the times when I hung around a bit longer?” She nodded again and I said, “You know last night I hugged you extra tight and kissed you quickly and left?” This time she said. “Why are you telling me this?” I looked at her for a moment and said, “Because I am in love with you and I want you for my wife and have this engagement ring.” I took a deep breath for a moment and the next thing I knew she was in my arms saying, “I thought you would never get around to it.” I was about to say something when she whispered in my ear, “You big dope. I gave you enough hints.” Then she excitedly pulled me to her and said: “I am so happy and don’t you dare leave early.” It was a sound struggling from my throat and I said: “Rose, tell me once again that you love me for I’m about to throw my hat off and holler but I’m afraid your folks will come out to see what the trouble is.” Rose said. “I’ll holler with  you. I can hardly wait to tell them.” So, we shouted and were soon telling her folks the news. I was welcomed into the family and an exchange of good wishes interrupted for Charlie and Maple were bursting through the door with their equally good news. We all stood there and it was Charlie that said: “Well, if that don’t beat all.” We all laughed and said, “Benjamin, where are you?” A voice came from upstairs saying: “I knew it all along.”


Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Bonnie

You are the best of me and I of you;
You bring the light of love and its review;
I see you watching me and I stare right through;
And ask myself could this be true;
It happens again and find myself in love.

Look what I have found; look what I can see;
The hope of life has come to me.

It's shyly done and words are shifted;
I am listening carefully and I am lifted;
Come closer and talk to me and let us see
How much closer we could really be.

Look what I have found; look what I can see;
The hope of life has come to me.

Oh the love I have for you is coming through;
I speak and say, "I love you"
And you ask me to say it again;
What happens now is ours to feel;
The tightest bond and kiss to seal.

Look what I have found; look what I can see;
The hope of life has come to me.

The declaration of our love rings true;
Life has more meaning and at last it's here;
Our special love which brings a tear;
I shake with joy and say, "Come here."
You are in my arms so quickly, dear.

Look what I have found; look what I can see;
The hope of love has come to me.

At last I know I am favored and wanted and blessed;
My thoughts won't let me rest;
At last I can see eternity because you needed me.

Look what I have found; look what I can see;
The hope of love has come to me.

Digby

Feeling Christ

True love that comes with knowing Christ;
True love that sets our souls on their eternal journey;
The pain and joy of discovery with the sword of regret;
Being a sinner understood, overcome and put in its place;
The awakening leading to feeling the hope, discovering the way.

The beginning of acceptance and the path of learning;
The struggle for excellence that leads to following Christ.

I am longing to say, "Show me the way."
I see you as best I can and pray,
Knowing I have so far to go with my soul;
Each step marking and allowing me to know
The one who loves me so.

I am rescued and the tears I have are more than my own;
They come from hearts feeling as I feel;
They come from having received more than I have given;\
They come when I have suffered most and felt thy hand;
They are so soothing and leave me in tears;
They come when my knees buckle and yet I am lifted up.

I am longing to go home and feel I have done my best;
The journey has made me want to do more and then rest;
Soon it will be morning and a new day will begin;
I have never know such joy and I gaze past my limitations;
I cry out and see more than before and love holds me close.

I look around and see I have been on a road less traveled;
Oh Lord my God, you have whispered and I have heard;
I will find you through the promptings and deliver myself up;
For I have been looking at the heavens and seeing you;
We know each other and the helping hands testify;
We see you in each other and love brings it home;
The ones who love you so.

Digby

Monday, May 1, 2017

Joey & Claire


1947 was a watershed year.  World War II was over. The healing was beginning and construction of much needed housing had begun.  Joey was a ten year old boy and his newest friend was an eight year old girl named Claire. The government was pushing ahead with a form of manufactured housing.  Hundreds of homes were being built with 3 bedrooms or two bedrooms. The designs were basic. The floor plans altered only to have the basic rooms shifted some but square feet remaining the same.  In other words, it was a cookie cutter approach. It was this setting that brought together the returning vets and others who were getting their footing after a terrible war.  Because the homes were close quarters, neighbors were friendlier and friendships were formed.  Well, Joey and Claire lived two doors away from each other and it seemed Claire was the sister Joey never had. Thinking of Claire as his sister to Joey just seemed so natural. Joey had friends who were of his own age but none more important to Joey than Claire. She had moved in almost the same week that Joey’s folks moved into the area. Things were going well. Joey found Claire to be so full of life. She was an only child and not the least bit spoiled. She was generous and willing to give up things for the good of others.

Months had gone by and Joey noticed Claire was not herself.  She finally told him that she had a form of cancer which was life threatening.   Joey had the typical reaction.  Surprise followed by disbelief and then determination to fight back. So it was that the painful journey of cancer started to take hold.  Joey was visiting Claire regularly with an eye toward being of help. Claire began to tell him of her dream of being a ballet dancer and the newest gift of ballet shoes from her parents. The doctors and medical people did what they could for her but she was losing the battle in spite of treatments.  She had come home to finish her life within the walls of her home.   All that could be done for her was done as it would be until that final day came. Claire was now having difficulty getting around.  Joey kept thinking of things to help her when he was walking home from school. He could take ballet lessons and report back to Claire after each lesson. He soon was registered at the cost of $1.50 for each lesson.  Once a week it was required to attend and take part.  The money would come from his paper route where he earned $10.00 a month.

Each week Joey came back and told Claire all about it. She was so thrilled and pestered him with questions about what he had learned.  Joey had a good sense of humor and was a bit of a comic, so when he talked about his big feet and how they got in the way, he gave a demonstration of posturing and grace that had Claire in stitches. She was struggling with her cancer and that meant Joey had to work out a routine each time to make Claire laugh and also to give her the details that she longed to know.

The ballet instructors knew something was up for Joey did not fit the bill for a student of ballet. He behaved himself but had the rest of the students in hysterics with his awareness as he went about making the movements that were part of his classes. Time after time he bumbled along in his classes looking so foolish but struggling on to report back to Claire. Here is how he described one class:  “I took my position, which was standing still with one foot just barely touching the floor and the other turned   slightly to balance with my left-hand raised and the right hand moving with a flourish which capsized the whole movement to the floor.”

Claire laughed hard when he displayed the antics of position and proper style that one had to learn. 

To make the proper movement  Joey had one hand on his hip, leg arched, head tipped back, his eyes focused to turn on a dime, but in his case a quarter. Then Joey added that his performance will go down in history – way down.

The program continued with Joey’s ballet lessons and Claire’s excitement keeping them both staring into another world.  Claire wanted to live the dream of dancing and performing and Joey’s concern was to make her happy in his own way.  Joey found out putting the body in unnatural positions was necessary for body work and is also designed to warm up the body and stretch muscles to prepare for strains and muscles being exercised to avoid injury. He thought he would tell Claire about the rigors of staying fit as he made fun of his attempts to use the wooden bar along the studio wall.

The word had spread by now and the dancing instructors understood.  The mothers in the neighborhood understood and the school leaders understood. Claire was failing and chose to stay at home during her trial. Joey was feeling the pain in his heart and the absence of Claire in his life.  So when Claire said to him on a particular hard day for both of them:   “Joey, is Heaven close?  I mean, is it close enough that I can watch you grow up and tell God that you’re my brother?  Would He understand and allow me to be part of you and love you as much as you love me?” Joey sat back with tears in his eyes and said:  “God could do anything but it’s a lot easier when He has somebody like you to work with.”   Then it happened.   She leaned forward and said:   “I won’t be here tomorrow.”  That did it as Claire kissed him.  Joey wept like only a child can and then said his good-bye. Claire, through  eyes full of tears, said with some difficulty:  “Brother Joey, I love you.” 

Joey did not want tomorrow to come but it did.   Claire’s folks called Joey’s parents and to tell them Claire died after a few hours when Joey said goodbye.

Joey’s heart was melted and he found himself rushing into his mother’s arms.  She held him tight as his father said, “Joey,  you were a wonderful brother to Claire and we are so proud of you. You spent your paper money to make Claire happy. You suffered ridicule when practicing Ballet. You made Claire happy in her last days and God will not forget what you did, son.”

The funeral was held and the ballet class was also there. The school let everyone who wanted to go to the funeral attend.  People from the community were there and it seemed the angels were singing as  there was a feeling that hushed us all.  Joey thought he could hear Claire saying:  “I’m up here Joey! Just look up. I’m OK.”

Claire’s family placed a pair of ballet slippers on a homemade stand with the inscription “For Claire our ballerina.” Joey looked around and said in a hushed tone:  “Claire, I’ll miss you when the ballet lessons end and my visits don’t take place.  I will find you again when spring comes as your golden hair shines in the sunlight and you smile ever so shyly.”  Joey looked away from Claire’s grave, searching his mind and heart.  His heart was weighed down as though the ache he felt would never go away.  His mind thought of Claire, who was an only child, and her folks feeling the loss as they looked totally devastated.  He then remembered what Claire had said:  “Heaven has room for me Joey.  I know it and God won’t forget me.”  Joey smiled and then closed his eyes, whispering:  “Good bye for now, Claire.”   He felt his mother’s embrace and the tears just flowed.  Joey knew in his very being he would see Claire again.  Joey visited Claire’s grave for few years and noticed the ballet shoes were still there, somewhat weathered but undisturbed which spoke volumes for peoples’ respect. He took careful note of that and in future years would remember to tell Claire she was even more special.