Small courtesies

Something happened as I cycled home from work on Friday that reminded me how it is the little things in life that often make the difference.

I was slogging up a long hill near to home, when a transit bus pulled past me and stopped at a bus stop just ahead, half-straddling the cycle lane. I slowed, expecting to have to stop while passengers disembarked, then I realized that nothing was happening and the driver was watching me in his side mirror waiting for me to pass before he opened the door.

He didn't have to do that, and it was quite unexpected. I salute that anonymous transit driver for reminding me that some people can still find the time in their lives to be considerate to others.

Another day to live

A blogger friend has been silent for the last couple of weeks, and just posted the reason why: her boyfriend has been diagnosed with a serious and incurable blood disease. Not in immediate danger, but they are both coming to terms with a stark reminder of their mortality.

And yet, this is also a reminder that the universe is not kind. This couple may be facing a future that seems short and bleak, yet what's to say that my time with my family will be any longer? Tragedy can strike at any moment. My future is no more certain that theirs.

So, today I am reminded of the sage advice to live each day is if it were your last, and I am thankful for another day to live.

A full fridge

I came home from the weekly shop and started to put away the groceries.

I had some difficulty. The fridge was already full. Every item I went to put away, I had to get ever more creative, rearranging, stacking, taking stuff out that I knew we'd want for lunch, only to have to find room for it a while later. Alongside all the usual fridgely inhabitants, there's several bits of leftovers, and cartons of home-made sweets that my wife and daughter made at Guides. Several cartons and jars that are nearly empty and will leave room fairly soon, but not just yet.

It was becoming a task fit for a MENSA-level IQ test. I started to get frustrated. Then I realised, what a wonderful problem this is to have in the first place. How many people in the world would long to have this problem? I should be thankful, not angry.

And I am.

I still haven't found room for that half-empty carton of milk, but you know what? I don't care.

Family

I just strayed onto this poignant blog post, and it reminded me how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family. The post struck a chord, because we lost our first child, stillborn at full term. We went on to have two beautiful children who alternately bring joy and endless madness into our lives, but we wouldn't be without them.

Getting from A to B

This week, my wife and daughter are away on a camp. My son is booked into a day camp for the week. I dropped him off this morning then drove on to work, and had to leave work in time to collect him again.

Timing is everything.

And it's something I've started to take for granted.

And I shouldn't.

On the way up the highway, it suddenly struck me that I was enjoying a luxury that I never used to enjoy. I left work for a 25km journey, and arrived within minutes of when I was expecting to. And that was nothing unusual. Barring the occasional accident on the highway, my daily commute is unbelievably reliable and stress-free. Something to be thankful for!

Home baking

My family & I have enjoyed home-baked bread for many years. I buy buns for the kids but rarely buy a loaf, other than one to keep in the freezer for emergencies. Every weekend I get out the breadmaker and knock up a couple of loaves to see us through the week.

Most of the time, they come out well. Sometimes not. I've no idea what I do differently, but there are so many variables that it's impossible to control them all precisely.

Today I set one going. Came home from walking the dog, opened up the lid. Uh-oh, hasn't risen anywhere near enough. Darn it!

I was pissed for a while, but then I thought: it's still fresh bread. It'll taste OK anyway. Whatever's left will be good for breadcrumbs. And, when I think about it, I'm lucky to be able to enjoy fresh bread at all. How many people in the world would envy me this luxury, even if it didn't come up to my usual standard?

From your optimistic political correspondent

Election fever is finally over. For a while.

I don't pretend to like Stephen Harper, but in a choice between him, Michael Ignatieff, or Jack Layton, there's not a lot to choose as far as I can tell. So with no particular axe to grind over which of them becomes Prime Minister I can't feel too dismal about the outcome.

So that leaves me free to celebrate the positives in yesterday's results:

1. We have a majority government. I may not agree with the Conservative policies, but at least we can get past the endless dance of the No Confidence Tango that's dogged politics for so long.


2. Finally the Bloc Quebecois have been put in their place. To my mind, they are an exclusive Provincial interest group with no place at the Federal feeding trough, especially not in the number of seats they enjoyed that was disproportionate to the actual votes cast.


3. The Green party has finally got a well-deserved seat. For rationale, see #2 and flip all the arguments on their head.

Political rant over. Time for bed.