The Loss of a Child
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The Loss of a Child

“Mom, I don’t feel so good.” Little did I know that those words, spoken by my 24-year-old son, would be life changing. It was Thanksgiving Day in 2010 and I had just started our routine Thanksgiving day. Getting the dinner prepared and on the table for me and my son. I’m not the greatest cook…

Loss and connection in the time of covid

Loss and connection in the time of covid

I met James in 2008 when I interviewed him for a job. He was about my age. He had a son about my son’s age. He was recently divorced, too, just like me. He liked politics, Star Trek, old movies and NFL football, and I liked three out of four of those things, too. It…

Hans’ story
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Hans’ story

They say that when you get married you not only join a spouse but a whole family. When I got married to my wife Carina, I gained several new siblings, including a new brother-in-law named Hans. Hans was only 12 years old when Carina and I were married. He was a healthy boy, growing up…

When death is part of the story
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When death is part of the story

Eight students died last year at the University of Waterloo. I should clarify that: eight students in the Engineering department alone. I don’t know the total number across campus. I don’t know much about the cause of death, either, though I understand only one of the eight was by suicide. It feels strange to say…

A life well lived

A life well lived

“Debra’s been transferred to hospice,” said Bob. “So if you’d like to see her, you should probably do it soon.” My heart sank. We knew it was coming, but we clung to the futile hope that there might be a last minute solution to buy our friend just a little more time. It was hard…

February blessing
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February blessing

Now it’s February. We can’t forget it’s the month to celebrate Black History (I highly recommend I. Wilkeson’s book The Warmth of Other Suns), and there are some who like to acknowledge St. Valentine on February 14. Yet, I must admit, I’m finding it hard to write about non-COVID-19 things. After almost one year, this…