Ford's Birthday

Today is a day very similar to that day 14 years ago.
We waited, played cards, waited, played more cards, then finally jacked up the oxytocin.
11 hours after arriving for the 'induction', and after 7 pm our wee 'blue' boy arrived, reluctantly.

We joke that he failed his first test ever, scoring a miserable 2 on the APGAR test. Whisked away as the umbilical chord was wrapped around his neck, twice!

Today, he is a strapping example of promise!

Mt. Forest Confederate's Athlete of the Month
Sr. Boys Track and Field Champion
Gold Medal winner at Districts: wrestling
On the winning volleyball, basketball teams for Districts
and now: voted Valedictorian

Who would have guessed, two years ago even, that this boy would be in this place!
God is good.
He restores, and heals, and empowers.
He transforms.

The dark night gives way to the dawn and promise of a new day.
Your mercies are new each morning - thank you God!

Yesterday marked 20 years of marriage for us.
I would ask, Lord, that you bless our children with the same happiness, joy, and contentment of marriage.

Peace

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you;

not as the world gives do I give to you.

The world is passing away, and the lust of it. Surely every man walks about like a shadow; surely they busy themselves in vain;

he heaps up riches, and doesn not know who will gather them.

What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed?

For the end of those things is death.

Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.

I want you to be without care.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

The LORD of peace Himself give you peace always in every way.

The LORD bless you and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Daily Light

John 14:27, 1 John 2:17

Psalm 39:6, Rom. 6:21

Luke 10:41-42, 1 Cor. 7:32, John 16:33, 2 Thess. 3:16, Numbers 6:24-26

Yesterday in the Woods... (May 17/09)

I have read, of late, about the beauty of learning 'in creation.' We have always taken this for granted, living in a forest in Holstein , but had become concerned about a new phenomena which I had recently read. About how some children now suffer from nature deficit disorder - not knowing what a tadpole is - or at least never seeing one, not experiencing nature - not knowing what goes on in a forest...

Yesterday, our whole family opted to go for a bike ride - that in itself was marvelous to me - as our children span from age 7 to 16. To admit that it is sometimes challenging to participate in activities that engage all of them, simultaneously, would be an understatement. So, it was a mini-Mother-miracle - one of those 'feel-good' moments about life in general. Our family doing something together - without any child having to be bribed, threatened, or coerced.

I started off while the others adjusted brakes, donned helmuts, complained about the cold - it was brisk, thank goodness Rod advised mittens - he knows I'm a wimp about the cold.

Just up the road about 500 metres, I looked into the forest and saw the banks of trilliums that had beckoned each time I had driven down the road this time of year. I decided to take a walk through the woods to see if I could spy any of the rarer pink variety. As I waded through the leaves, and undergrowth, I came upon carpet of young ferns that separated me from a beautiful bank of pink trilliums. I was stepping over the ferns, so as not to hinder their growth when I nearly brought down my foot upon a patch of fur. My first instinct was to assume it was the 'pelt' or 'hide' of a fox- obviously dead. I withdrew in horror as I also assumed it would be in some state of decomposition. After recoiling, I took a chance at having a closer look.

The 'pelt' was the dappled back of a young fawn, nestled down on the bed of leaves amongst the ferns. I was amazed at the young animal's ability to remain oblivious to the elements, and the sound of me crashing through its environment - almost to the point of considering if it were alive. I still was not certain - it lay so still - when the rest of the McC connection arrived. I called to them, and Morgan and Eli came willingly, Noah just wanted to get on with it. I explained he was about to 'miss something extraordinary.'

They all came, commissioned to be 'quiet' which is a feat given the state of the forest at this point in the spring - dry branches and leaves do not make stealthy hunters of us. Ford came crashing, and then stopped in his tracks as he witnessed the extraordinary.

Morgan pulled out her cell-phone and began to take pictures - something rather unusual given the 'setting' but we all, for that brief moment realized we were seeing a miracle. A baby fawn hidden away in the forest not far from our home.

Ford cautioned that the mother wouldn't be happy about the 'human scent' we were leaving (this from my boy who wants to attain a license in order to kill said creatures). We continued on our path - with questions about whether the creature was abandoned, weakened, ill, injured.

I returned to the woods an hour later and found the fawn awake, and approached cautiously, quietly. It didn't appear at all frightened, and I was relieved to see that it did not appear injured. I spoke to it gently, but did not touch. It just stared at me.

Knowing this was a small miracle, I returned home to retrieve the camera. I was able to take only 2 photos when the fawn became frightened, and bolted away, its young legs wobbly, and gangly, but operational. This relieved my conscience, as I had begun to wonder what I would need to 'google' if this creature's mother had not returned to it, and it was indeed abandoned and we were to become surrogate parents.

I thank God for that miracle of yesterday, and realized that my home too, is nestled safely in His hand. I needed this reassurance yesterday, and today.

This week has been a 'tipping point' in the process and pursuit of transparency/accountability at the BWDSB.
Tuesday, May 19 the Monthly Board Meeting in Chesley at the BWDSB's new building.
Again, the play was well-scripted, but did provide optics that truly substantiate the Board's claim that 'communication' is their major problem. Tuesday, May 19, I would have to agree.

The meeting's agenda included 'Awards of Excellence' (though we had not received a copy of the agenda - apparently there were not enough to go around. Even the media were 'shorted')
These worthy recipients were volunteers who had spent countless hours in their schools contributing to their school communities.

However, following these presentations the Director asked all recipients and their families to go out 'into the hall for a photograph,' effectively emptying the room. The chair then asked if there were any delegations who wished to present 'without notice.' Karen Cameron, fellow BCforE member rose and positioned herself at the microphone to express dismay at this 'process' which left the room with few left to hear the 'criticism' that was to ensue. While it is good and right to acknowledge the volunteers, to have them leave the room, prior to the 'delegations' was orchestrating a mass-exodus.

Then, the 5 individuals who were a 'delegation with notice' who had concerns about the lack of 'consultation' with the BWDSB in regards to Rotary, were invited to speak. They were awarded 10 minutes (perhaps) for all 5 presenters. These individuals were engaged parents/volunteers who had spent countless hours pursuing what they believe to be the best education for their children. The Board, as the 4 representative was speaking, was cut off by the chair of the BWDSB, and the next delegation was invited to speak. The presenter requested a few minutes extension, but was denied. She then asked for time for a summary to be presented that would take "two and a half minutes" and she was again denied.

I was asked to present, and could not refrain from expressing a verbal apology to this delegation who obviously cared about kids, and who had driven a distance to present this information to the board. "As a member of the BWDSB community, I apologize for you not being permitted to finish. I want to hear what you have to say."

Then, as a member of BCforE I expressed concern about this process, yet again. IF the BWDSB is truly concerned about communication, one would think they would use their discretion, and actually listen to parents. That is apparently too much to ask.

Joe Griecco then articulated his concern about the lack of due process, and the absence of democracy in the addition of the new Trustee to the Board.

Press followed the delegation out of the room, and interviewed them.
The press has been very sympathetic to the parents involved in the current fiasco with the BWDSB. The Board could learn something from the press.

ps. a well-dressed man sat in the back row of the room taking copius notes. He wore nice shoes. He kept his copius notes hidden. We surmised he was the Mr. Williams called to the Board by the Ministry. When Joe asked if Mr. Williams was in the room he was told he was not.
I presented this man with a copy of my submission, and introduced myself. He did not return the favour, and when asked "And you are?" stated, "an observer."

Keep posted for the true identity of this 'observer.'

Trustees told not to visit schools - Owen Sound Sun Times - Ontario, CA

Trustees told not to visit schools - Owen Sound Sun Times - Ontario, CA