Just Thinking

Someone once told me that you only get two seasons in Calgary: summer and winter. The weather here changes so quickly that you barely have time to pull out your warm clothes and put away the summer skirt you've been wanting to wear. And by the time you do, you often run the risk of realizing that you had either lost or thrown out that one, really warm -but ugly- Calgary winter sweater. I have mine this year and fortunately, it is sitting right where I can feel it: on me.

A brother from our church passed away a week ago and it got me thinking about all the deaths that have come so near to home lately. I wasn't close, but I knew him well enough to call him a friend, and in my mind and heart, he had my utmost respect. As a person who pursued his goal despite his obvious obstacles, I admired his strength, determination and most of all his gentle -and genteel- heart. He loved God. He loved people. He was deliberate in all he did and he always made me smile when we talked.

As the understated fall approaches, it can only be marked by words. The months of September, October and November connote swirls of red, gold and orange; it brings to mind a cool but warm enough wind and it reminds us of the passing of another season. In reality, the wind is biting and the skies are already mostly grey. Our fall is somebody else's winter. Winter in Calgary comes right after Summer.