Live with purpose, finish strong

It is New Years Eve, a traditional time of making resolutions and setting goals. It is a time when one can review the past year, enjoy memories of the high points, and strive to improve the low ones.

When I think of achieving goals, two people come to mind.

The first is Anna, a vibrant 24-year-old from my home town who left this world unexpectedly in a vehicle collision just two weeks ago. I had not met Anna personally, but was familiar with her reputation.

As I surfed through web sites giving tribute to her life, the theme was always the same: “…you were such a passionate, hard-working and positive person who loved God with your whole heart...” “…hard to image such a polite, hard-working and caring person…”

“She had such a sweet spirit and kind heart but at the same time had a great sense of humor and was quite a prankster!  What a joy she was to have here!  She brought so much life and laughter.”

The achievements in other people’s lives of this young lady surpass that of many older folk. She had goals and determination beyond her years. Her last text message to a friend said, “We are almost there, finish strong!”

Indeed, Anna finished strong.

The second person I think of is Florence, my roommate during my last year of college. Florence was the most loving, loyal and forgiving girl anyone could wish to share a room with, and I regret to think how much of each was practiced on me!

She always said her name was Florence for a reason. She was to be a nurse like her namesake, Florence Nightingale. So after a year of Bible College, she headed into nurses’ training. She then spent a couple years in Central America, and another two or three years in northern Manitoba, gaining experience and finding her “niche”. She then took her masters degree in maternity care and was very involved with the implementation of a midwifery program in her home province.

One summer Florence took more sick days than usual, just not feeling well. It was discovered she had a brain tumor. She tried treatments to no avail, so resigned and cleared out her office in September. By late October she was gone.

Her obituary summed up her life well: “Professionally, a nurse and a midwife who was passionate about her work. Personally, gifted with close friends whom she loved, and who loved her. Spiritually, a person who worked at integrating faith into every part of her life.”

Florence also finished strong.

As we look forward to 2013, what goals and changes to we need to make in order to finish strong? There are no guarantees we may see another New Years Eve. Let's use this one to make our lives count!

Fire changes Christmas

It was mid December in the mid-1960s, and my brothers and I were on our way home from a rehearsal for the annual Christmas concert when we noticed a glow in the western sky. It didn’t appear to be far away, so we continued down the road to check it out.

It wasn’t long until we knew the cause of the glow. Our neighbours’ house was engulfed in flames. We joined the long row of vehicles parked along the edge of the road, where I stayed in the truck while my brothers went to see if their help was needed.

The voluntary fire crew was already there. We had arrived in time to see the last wall go down. But nobody at the scene knew if husband, wife, or any of their eight children had been at home. It was a silent but devastating thought to my young adolescent mind, that three kids with whom I had ridden home from school on the bus that afternoon had lost everything and may not even be alive.

The following day the news came through that the family had been visiting relatives and were all safe. They would temporarily be staying with extended family. The fire was deemed to have started at the Christmas tree, presumably from lights left on, and all the gifts had been destroyed with the house.

Our small community sprang into action with arrangements for donations to this family who had nothing. My grandmother, who lived with us, spent hours remaking unused fabric into useful household items. She also made a rag doll, thinking that one of the children may enjoy it.

When school resumed after the Christmas break, the neighbours were in their “new” home, that being an old house they were able to move to their farmyard. The kids were back on the school bus.

One morning while I was riding along to school, I noticed one of the girls showing off her doll. She had become so endeared to it she would not leave it at home. To my amazement, it was the rag doll that Grandma had made! I was sure the child could sense that the doll had been made with love, the unconditional kind of love she needed at that time.

I have no recollection of what gifts were under our Christmas tree that year. But the lesson quietly displayed in an act of kindness is forever etched in my memory.

Gift ideas for RVers

As Christmas approaches, the question pops up on numerous web sites and on Twitter – what are suitable Christmas gift ideas for RV enthusiasts?

The answers are likely as varied as the units the RVers use. What type of RV do they use? What type of campgrounds do they visit? The possibilities are endless, but the two characteristics to keep in mind are size and weight. Avid RVers are very aware of limited space and vehicle weight. Also keep color in mind, especially for indoor decorative gifts. Small spaces can look disorganized quickly if things don’t coordinate.

We seem to always have a wish list in process, things that would enhance the experience, things that wear out, etc. Some items are wonderful to receive as gifts, others are unique to the individual and are best when chosen personally.

For your curiosity or use, here are a few ideas:

Camping mat, for the area under the awning. These mats let moisture and light through but prevent dirt and moisture from entering the RV. It works best to have a mat the approximate size of the awning.

Folding table, either small for a beverage or book, or a little larger for a table-top barbecue. There are some great-looking tables out there in weather-resistant materials.

Leveling blocks, the flat ones that resemble lego blocks. They come in various colors, usually in a box or bag. They are great to use and useful for many things but break quite easily, so one can always use some replacements.

A good, wholesome movie to enjoy in areas of poor television reception. This is especially true for those of us on “peasant vision” (no satellite).

High-quality mosquito repellants or body lotions are never amiss, especially in western Canada.

And that’s my “two bits” on the subject for this year!

Music of Christmas across the ages

The other day I saw an invitation to the annual seniors’ Christmas party in a town where I used to live. The realization struck me that, according to their criteria, I was now old enough to attend legitimately!

I have probably already attended more seniors’ Christmas parties than most seniors.

It was in the mid 1960’s that my mother sent a note with a book to my music teacher, telling her that I had been asked to play at the seniors’ tea, and asking her help to prepare the piece that I would play. I was in grade seven. The price sticker shows $1.80 and that's not on sale!

In the years following, I learned more pieces until I could play through the book. Each day of December, my mother would have me play thorough that book for her – a daily Christmas recital.

During high school, Christmas break was preceded by a week of exams. It was the routine of a few of my school classmates and I to gather at one friend’s home over lunch hour to study. Well, they studied. I was usually at the piano with my carol book. My friend’s mother appeared to enjoy my stumbling fingers, too.

Since that time we have changed residences about thirty times, at in many places I have used my carol book to play for church or to provide preludes for carol festivals. I have accompanied carol sings and soloists, many of them at a seniors’ Christmas party.

The public appearances have diminished over the past decade, but I still enjoy making music. When we moved from the RV, we brought my electronic piano in for the winter. On the next trip to storage I retrieved a box of Christmas music, including the old carol arrangement book.

This evening I relished in playing through that book yet again. It floods my mind with happy memories as well as familiar tunes. But I won't be off work in time to join the seniors for the party.