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October 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Dear Silent Punching Bag

Dear Silent Punching Bag, The uncontrollable shrieking tearing through the building as dozens of on-lookers watched the unfolding scene was a far cry from the timid boy I watched you graciously escort to the washroom only minutes earlier. The two of you were out of my sight but I was less interested in what had disrupted your autistic student and more interested in how those around me would react. Children were pulled closer, some ran to see, and every head was turned in your direction. As I watched you emerge from around the corner, shirt torn at the collar and sleeves hanging on by a thread, I could only imagine what was going through the gawkers' heads. But what I noticed as you escorted the still screaming teen out of the building in a style not unlike that of a police officer detaining a dangerous suspect was the calm on your face and compassion in your eye. Although barely beyond teenage years yourself you remained poised and new exactly what was needed. Seeing you re-enter the building with your shredded shirt hanging off your shoulders, accompanied by a now calm and silent young man and deflecting judgmental stares from every direction, I wanted nothing more than to run up and say "Thank you." You didn't give up. The day at the indoor playground was not about you but rather a special outing for your friend. Your courage and poise are something that I admire and hope to have one day. That young man is lucky to have you by his side.
Filed Under: Judgement Tagged With: , ,
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September 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

What are you running for?

Dear Terry Fox Die Hard, I heard your story on the radio the other day. At the time it didn't evoke much more than nonchalant, half-hearted "Hmm" before it out in favour of daydreaming. Although discarded at the time, your story must have impacted me in a way that I have yet to fully understand as it randomly popped to the forefront of my thoughts. What I initially tossed aside was the fact that you merely participtated in the same event for more than 30 years: although a pretty sizeable accomplishment but not unheard of for a man who's almost 80. However, what I failed to connect to at the time was not the fact that you have ran in ever single Terry Fox run since it first started, but the fact that you believe in something so deeply that you have been committed to it for your entire adult life. As the haze lifts from the words I heard you speak I am envious of your passion and dedication. Cancer ultimately got Terry Fox and you have lost loved ones to it's evil grasp as well. What I hear playing in my head now is the story of a man who is not about to give up. Who believes in something so strongly tha t he will not quit. Finding a cure: that's why you run. I wish I had something to run for. I wish I knew what I wanted to run for.
Filed Under: Passion Tagged With: , ,
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July 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A Universal Courtesy That Gives Me Hope (or “No Seriously, Where’s Waldo?”)

Dear Side Stepping Pedestrians, I realized today, as my family overtook the boardwalk with our photo shoot, that there is a universal consideration when it comes to people taking pictures. Whether it be a professional shoot or Uncle Bob taking pictures on his iPhone, everyone either stops to wait until the picture is captured or the step around, ensuring that the picture being snapped doesn't turn into a 'Where's Waldo' shot. To me this simple act gives me hope that we are not merely selfish beings that only ever care about ourselves, as some may suggest. We are in fact beings that, even on a subconscious level, don't want to interfere with those capturing a special moment in time. Just think what could happen if we applied this type of selfless universal courtesy to areas of life other than picture taking.
Filed Under: Humanity Tagged With: , ,
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June 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Displaced Bridge Troll

Filed Under: Contributed Tagged With: , ,