Hunched forward, head drooped, he sat alone at the front waiting to be wheeled back to his room. I knelt low to achieve eye contact. “Hello Jim. Remember me, Henry Decock. I was here a couple years ago researching in the archives for Fr. Kees de Cock. We sat at the same table for meals.”HeContinue reading “In passing”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Something to talk about
Talking about something is how we got together; it’s no mystery, it’s what we love to do. The best moments are the ones where we lose ourselves to the time, to the ebb and flow of the words, to the ideas, to the passionWhen we share our hopes, our dreams, our wants, our desiresWhen weContinue reading “Something to talk about”
School
The rhythm of the school year no longer beats with my daily song. The Tuesday following Labour Day marks the beginning of another academic session here in Canada for all levels of education. Were it not for advertisements about back-to-school sales while watching the ball game, this week would pass like every other. Truth beContinue reading “School”
No Dolus
Many years ago, as part of an unnamed institution, involving an anonymous colleague, for an unidentified student, I helped execute a deceit which helped that person achieve his educational goals in spite of seemingly arbitrary rules. No need to implicate anyone but myself, so the details will be vague. In brief, the student was participatingContinue reading “No Dolus”
Across the Universe
Ler Devagar is ranked number three in the list of the 5 best bookstores in the city according to The Hidden Secrets of Lisbon. The store has set up shop in the ” hipster-chic LX Factory project, occupying a former warehouse lined with bookshelves”. For those from Toronto, picture the Distillery District; or think ofContinue reading “Across the Universe”
Going Home
Centrale Begraafplaats West, Hoflan 150, Tilburg. Section 16,Grave number 10402483. Father Kees de Cock was buried there January 8, 1981. You will not find a stone; it was removed in 2002. If you visit the website and type his name in the search field, no results will appear. I wrote to an address listed inContinue reading “Going Home”
Beatitudes
10:55 am. Time to lock up and head over to the chapel, a quick jaunt across the small parking lot between the archives and the Herbert House residence. I am back in Freshfield, England almost two years to the day, combing through the files of the Mill Hill Missionary Society which may hold more informationContinue reading “Beatitudes”
The Waiting
“I guess Mom is leading her volunteer Yoga class.” Olga telephoned earlier, hoping to check in on Olena before Zooming with the five to seven people online every two weeks. We had been connecting every day for the past week leading up to the due date. How are you feeling; what did the obstetrician say;Continue reading “The Waiting”
The Power of Love
The card arrived two weeks before Christmas, 1987. The handwritten message from my Mom and Dad read, “Merry Christmas Henry, Olga, Nicholas & ?” The answer to the question mark was expected on December 25. We had moved into 12 Sigmont Road on November 30 after selling the condominium, riding the wave of escalating values,Continue reading “The Power of Love”
Creating Beauty
The first flowers I remember giving to you happened early in our dating days. I was playing hockey on Sunday mornings in the Dorchester Men’s No Body Contact League. You even drove out to the arena on occasion to watch. Helmets did not require cages and as a result, an inadvertent stick struck me inContinue reading “Creating Beauty”
