Concentrating on pen and paper
it was only a sense of dimness
a change in sunlight streaming
in the window right and left
pulling my focus to the wide blue sky.
I left pen and paper aside stepping into
coolness and the dimming brightness
of a timid day moon slipping past
the ruling and glorious sunshine with
only a wisp of cloud to share the crossing
in awe filled kindness and respect
there should have been silence
a stop to cars, motors, hammers,
calling out and conversation
to hold our collective breath
as celestial giants crossed their skyward paths
“Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars.”
~ J.R.R.Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
Many of the things
There were at least twenty of them. Twenty children - five or six years old - with young women leading at the front and shepherding at the back. I was already comfortably sitting on the bus towards the front so was privileged to see this great troop of kids pouring onto and through a bus already half full. They were chattering and chattering, while paying attention in a kid sort of way to their guides. Colourful backpacks, bright yellow vests (or were they orange), this summer camp group made their way to the back of the bus. Oops! Available seats were scattered and so not enough for order to be maintained. The kindness of strangers came to the fore. Settled bus riders vacated their seats for these happy kids - shifting around to support the leaders and maintain a semblance of order on the bus.
I just went through some old family photos and found this photo taken about 40 years ago on one of many visits to Saskatchewan with Sylvia and the kids. What I remember about Charles - better known as Chuck to most family members - is his steadfast return to Raymore to visit the family every year, always remembering his mother and ensuring all the cousins grew up together. Probably one of the greatest kindnesses a man can share with his family.
