Category Archives: compassion

They ought to get out more!

Posted on September 10, 2015 by

“Hamilton police sickened by shocking conditions…” said the headline in the Toronto Star.* The story covered an inquest into the death of a developmentally delayed man. That police officers would be shocked made me feel exasperated, thus my sarcasm. But … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, consciousness, dependent, poverty, special needs | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Yes, it is our job to feed our neighbour’s child

Posted on December 22, 2013 by

Once again, a typical Conservative statement of values (with apologies to Hugh Segal): Minister James Moore says “Well, obviously nobody wants kids to go to school hungry. Certainly we want to make sure that kids go to school full bellied, … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Hugh Segal, James Moore, poverty, social commentary, social justice | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Ode to Victor Lawson

Posted on November 13, 2013 by

How do you fail grade eight?   You fail grade eight by being a child whose body language includes slumped posture, and downcast eyes.  You don’t look people in the eye because you have such low self-esteem that you can’t.  That … Continue reading →

Posted in adolescence, compassion, education, empathy, encouragement, enrichment, teacher, the fifties | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

A is for Antoinette*

Posted on October 25, 2013 by

It’s six months since my friend Antoinette died, and I think it’s probably okay to ‘tell her story’ now.  I mean it’s not likely that breaking confidentiality is relevant.  The chances of someone who knew her discovering I’ve ‘told’ are … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternatives, child abuse, compassion, mental illness, parenting, perfectionism, schizophrenia, trauma | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

My tender cafe

Posted on May 8, 2013 by

How precious is the kindness and gentleness that surrounds me every day.  I treasure it.  It is part of a sub-culture hard to find in many places.  I think that’s why I head here every morning.  I can’t imagine a … Continue reading →

Posted in cafe culture, compassion, generous, grieving, kindness, reflections | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

One war souvenir with blue eyes…

Posted on February 17, 2013 by

The guy sitting in the underground path to the Manulife Center, just after our lovely lunch, had obviously been in a horrifying accident – perhaps something like an  “IED”* in Afghanistan, I imagined; or a car accident that involved a … Continue reading →

Posted in accountability, anti-war, compassion, consequences, injustice, war | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Desperate need…

Posted on January 29, 2013 by

Like most moms, I love my children enough that I would probably die for them.  I also enjoy their cousins and their friends, especially now that my kids are in their thirties, and the others have been coming around for … Continue reading →

Posted in awareness, beliefs, causes, compassion, consciousness, empathy, Inclusion, injustice, mental illness, reflections, schizophrenia, social commentary, social justice, trauma | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Love, in a way…

Posted on January 7, 2013 by

Love, in a way… Yes, I suppose you could say; I’m not sure I know In a definitive way What love is, really.   Is it Love? — In a way… Well, it’s not that I’m dreaming You’ll take me … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, empathy, Feelings, love, pleasure, Poetry, reflections | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

On “ending violence against women”

Posted on November 13, 2012 by

So you signed a petition to end violence against women? Bravo. Good start. But How are you going to end it? Really. You are bigger, stronger animals compared to us. Your  voices are, by default, louder and more intimidating. By … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, empathy, Power, reflections, violence | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Coming out as an atheist

Posted on October 17, 2012 by

When I was about 19, despite having taught Sunday school for three years, I delared myself an atheist.   Or perhaps it was because of Sunday school.  What had happened to the formerly ‘devout Christian’ me? My aunt, who at 92 … Continue reading →

Posted in atheism, causes, compassion, fear, fundamentalist, gay, ignorance, Memories, peace, personal growth, poverty, reflections, religion, schizophrenia, social justice, values | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments