Most of us have heard the phrase, “The pen is mightier than the sword”. These words were never spoken more effectively than by 16-year-old Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager shot by the Taliban for promoting education for girls. In her first public speech since the attack, speaking to world leaders, she demanded that all countries provide free but compulsory schooling for every child.
Read MoreThe sun was about to set, allowing darkness to take control. One member of our hunting group had fallen out of formation. If we didn’t locate him soon, then finding him in the darkened forest would be difficult. We were not equipped to embark on a nighttime search and rescue, and to do so would risk the lives of the remaining four members.
Read MoreAs a 10-year-old, I was awestruck by the new “skyscraper” that had been built in our small town of Corner Brook. Not having travelled outside of Newfoundland, I had nothing to compare it against. I was convinced it must have been one of the tallest buildings ever built. So, it was with great excitement that my friends and I decided to go across town and secretly climb its 12 stories to catch a glimpse of the world below. But as I reached the top and looked out the stairway window, something very strange happened.
Read MoreMy friend Jim was suddenly admitted to the hospital last week to have an emergency operation on his lung to determine if a discovered tumour was malignant.
I met Jim in college. We shared residency together with three other guys in our first year and then became dual roommates for the rest of our school years. He was a groomsman in my wedding and I in his. We attended the same church, went camping, socialized at each other’s homes, ate, drank and laughed together.
Read MoreThe youngest member of our family was laid to rest approximately 9:00am, Friday, August 16th, 2012.
Maxwell (“Max”) was not born into our family. He was adopted. His first family decided to find a new home for him due to their limited financial resources and scarcity of time. They were simply unable to provide the appropriate care necessary for healthy mental, emotional and physical growth. After some discussion with Max’s parents, in December 2011, my wife Linda and daughter Joanna made the journey to Brampton and there they found Max and adopted him.
Read MoreAs I write my article this month, I do so dockside at our cottage while on two weeks’ vacation. It is unusually quiet, for it is Sunday evening and most of the cottagers on the lake have left to travel home. There are no motor boats cruising the water ways or with those on water-skis, tubes or wakeboards loudly making their presence known to all. And thankfully the jet skis and wave runners have been parked in the boathouses or by the docks. There isn’t a breeze so the leaves cannot rustle in the wind.
Read MoreIt was 10:00 am, July 1st, 2011, Canada Day. While many were enjoying the birthday celebrations of Canada becoming a nation, my great event was arising from my hospital bed and finally enjoying a hot shower. The nurse greeted me with “It’s time Mr. Hillier”. And so the strenuous process began. A small woman with great sensitivity to my dignity and self-esteem, helped me roll out of bed, stand up, and prepare me so I could shuffle into the shower. Sitting on a stool, while water gently rolled down my body, she took her brush and soap-soaked cloth and scrubbed me clean.
Read MoreI remember when London Life launched its marketing campaign called “Freedom 55”. Its premise was, if you invest with us, by the time you reach age 55, you won’t have anything to worry about. How many people with great anticipation bought into this advertising, only to realize that on their 55th birthday, freedom from worry had not been achieved?
Read MoreThe story has been told of a minister who was prominent in his church order, adopting as his key mission, the issue of poverty, its impact on individuals and families and how it should be reduced if not totally eliminated, especially in such an economically developed and comparatively rich society as North America. The minister made “poverty reduction” the focal point of many of his writings and talks.
Read MoreI own a Jeep Liberty, nick named “Libby”. It was purchased 10 years ago. It has been driven over 210,000 kilometres. As I look at its worn exterior, it reminds me of the places it has been. Libby has transported the kids and mom and dad to and from high school, university, skiing, snowboarding, and the cottage, and to trips to the U.S. and within Canada. It has been a loyal, trustworthy friend. Through the rain, snow, sleet and scorching sun and humidity, it never complained but just ensured its passengers were safe, comfortable and reached their final destination.
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