Jour 14 – Day 14 : Baba and Guido

Posted on April 17, 2020 by dfolstad58
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My kind Guido

 

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Today I will share a memory. 

When Guido ( my Grandpa) passed, there was a funeral service and then the mourners all went back to their church to have an informal sharing time and some food.

There was an opportunity to speak offered by the minister and I was the only one who volunteered of everyone there, albeit very nervously.

(I grew up thinking Baba and Guido were my Ukrainian grandparents names, they were actually Nara and Andrew, but to me they were always Baba and Guido (grandma and grandpa).

I stood nervously at the front of this church basement to offer my gift to my mourning Baba.  I told the true story about how Guido was older than Baba by 13 years when they met in Kindersley, Saskatchewan.

Guido had come to Canada from the Ukraine with nothing probably about 1920 and all alone.  He was not a tall man, he loved music, and he was a diligent worker on the railway.  He sang in the Russian Orthodox church on Sunday, and loved to garden.

When they met Baba was working in a doctor’s home doing housekeeping, laundry and she lived with the doctor and his wife. Baba was the oldest of sisters and moved away from her parents farm  because the family was large, and times were tough, so she left home to find work at a young age.

Baba and Guido dated a little and Guido proposed. Baba knew he was polite, dressed neatly, sang in church and treated her gently with respect.  She accepted his proposal to marry although she didn’t know him too well, but she could see his kind, gentle character.

Guido didn’t drive, but he worked on the railway so they had passes. They travelled to Saskatoon to get married, and the doctor and his wife (Baba’s life long friend) were their wedding witnesses.

After the wedding, Baba and Guido stayed one night in a hotel and then Guido travelled with Baba back to Manitoba (by train) to meet Baba’s family for the first time.

They had a short visit, then Guido had to return to Kindersley to work. (He explained what he was doing to Baba’s father, but her father was sworn to secrecy.)

Guido told Baba to wait at the farm, he would be back, but not when. (Baba accepted his request and asked no questions, that’s how it was in those days)

Weeks passed, Baba’s sisters teased her, and said he wasn’t coming back. Of course Baba didn’t believe them, but she might have been worried.

I’m not sure how many weeks Guido was gone, but he did return to the farm in Manitoba, as soon as he could and then by train they headed back to Kindersley together.

What Baba didn’t know was that Guido had returned to Kindersley alone so he could move his tenants from his small home that had been rented out. He had never told her he owned a house.

He brought Baba back to Kindersley to surprise her with her own home to move into.

Guido had gone ahead to prepare her home, clean it and make it special for her. I am sure that was a big surprise for her as he brought his young bride to her very own home.

At this point, my voice a bit shaky, I shared to Baba – Guido has done it again. Guido has gone on ahead to prepare the best home ever for you to share.

He is waiting for you, and then you will be together again. 

Now all this I told to Baba in her church basement, with all the other mourners. The church members nodded, their eyes filled also with tears, they also loved Baba and Guido. 

Baba sat silently, eyes moist with tears, all of this story of course she knew full well.  But probably the church didn’t and many others didn’t, maybe even some family members. 

Sometimes it’s important to be able to speak, and that speech at Guido’s funeral was deeply appreciated by many, and it was my gift to Baba. 

sit and relax

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You might have noticed that one of the Categories on this blog is “Toastmasters“.  This is because I have been a Toastmaster since 2006.

This is why I became a Toastmaster, and it has helped me over and over again.  

What better gift can I give to the people I love, than to be able to share the stories that draw us together of the ones we deeply care about. – David

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HANDLING TEMPER – PART 3

Posted on April 16, 2020 by dfolstad58

I appreciate profoundly the lessons that can be learned from history, especially the stories that inspire.

Where I live, and probably everywhere, conflicts arise and long after they are settled the bad feelings continue (perhaps silent grudges – silent but still poisonous).

I like this post because of this man’s example – I hope you will enjoy it also – David

johnranjit's avatarMANAGING YOURSELF

PART 2 : https://johnranjit.wordpress.com/?p=523

Business men are learning that it pays to be friendly to strikers. For example, when two thousand five hundred employees in the White Motor Company’s plant struck for higher wages and a union shop, Robert F. Black, the president, didn’t wax wroth and condemn, and threaten and talk of tyranny and Communists. He actually praised the strikers. He published an advertisement in the Cleveland papers, complimenting them on “the peaceful way in which they laid down their tools.” Finding the strike pickets idle, he bought them a couple of dozen baseball bats, and gloves and invited them to play ball on vacant lots. For those who preferred bowling, he rented a bowling alley.

This friendliness on President Black’s part did what friendliness always does; it begot friendliness. So the strikers borrowed brooms, shovels and rubbish carts, and began picking up matches, papers, cigarette stubs, and cigar…

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Jour 13 – Day 13: Peace In Our Hearts

Posted on April 16, 2020 by dfolstad58

Out and about on my bike again yesterday. 

It was so encouraging and refreshing both to see what young children are doing around town.

In my neighbourhood, and around town there are hearts in windows, hearts hanging from balconies, and on bridges.

In the area where I was riding there were also painted rocks with positive messages like:  (the photos above enlarge when clicked on)

  1. Just Breathe,
  2. Peace,
  3. Kindness,
  4. We will Get Through This.

 

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The Sign of Four - The Arthur Conan Doyle EncyclopediaQuote:  Excerpt from “The Sign of Four” (Sherlock Holmes – A.C. Doyle)

The scene:  Dr. Watson is alone with Miss Morstan and as they approach the great black house there sounded through the silent night the saddest and most pitiful of sounds – the shrill, broken whimpering of a a frightened woman.

Miss Morstan and I stood together, and her hand was in mine. A wondrous subtle thing is love, for here were we two, who had never seen each other before that day, between whom no word or even look of affection had ever passed, and yet now in an hour of trouble our hands instinctively sought for each other. …..

So we stood hand in hand like two children, and there was peace in our hearts for all the dark things that surrounded us.

 

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Today’s video is short, fun for sports enthusiasts

(especially if you like soccer), rated G (General Audience) and ideal if you love dogs !  Something for everyone. 

This is so much fun, the narration sounds just like a soccer announcer, the dogs are cute, it’s like watching a football event. In the background you hear someone yell “Get on with it!” exactly like fans feeling the tension.

Thank YOU reader for taking the time to visit!  I hope you will visit again, and I have some categories on the side if you feel like exploring or pick a month from the past

– Take care – David

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Jour 12 – Wordless Wednesday

Posted on April 15, 2020 by dfolstad58
Baba’s eggs – my simpler ones are visible also in purple, black, and aqua blue ♥
another ride we like is along a creek in town
Okanagan Lake 2 days ago, looking terrific
my son on a former railway bridge, in Naramata BC
Skaha lake, jr just relaxing
pastel drawing of me, not recent LOL
my son is a biker!
looking down onto Okanagan lake with my son – loving the view

Captioned all the photos for you in case you have time to check them out.

Jour 12 – Day 12 – Enjoy Wordless Wednesday. – David

 

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Jour 11 – Day 11 : Just a bit wobbly

Posted on April 14, 2020 by dfolstad58

I am still continuing this blogging assignment until Day 20. Big thank YOU for your comments, I love them! Suggestions always welcome,  including what you like best. 🙂

I hope everyone reading has enjoyed the pictures of my daughter’s cat, Africa, she is a sweetie. – David

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Today I was reminded,

of a post of mine, not too long ago, called I’m feeling grateful.  I know that I am feeling grateful, and encouraged for many reasons including the heartwarming interactions from people who read my blog.

The post I just mentioned talked about the analogy of a table, and our mental health are all the legs of a table. 

Imagine that our personal mental health, attitude, ability to deal with stress, cravings, sadness and so on; they all depend on the stability of that table.

chairs contemporary design dining

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

As long as we keep most of the table legs strong, we might be just a bit wobbly but we won’t topple – the table still stands, and doesn’t topple because the other legs are there to keep us upright.

What are our Table Legs?

On our individual tables we have multiple legs, together those leg support the table – those legs include: 

  • Diet – healthy foods, avoid sugars, limit meat
  • Exercise – at least three times a week is essential
  • Spiritual Activity – Proverbs, praying
  • Social Support – being with and supporting friends
  • Sleep – plan beginning and ending sleep times, wind down at night
  • Avoid Negative Speech – positive language using words like Thank you
  • Water – three litres a day, starting with a big drink in the morning
  • Deep breathing – concentrate on the breath alone a few times daily
  • Sunlight – get outside, nothing like fresh air and sunshine

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Quote for Today – Richard Carlson Ph.D.

When we do recognize that life isn’t fair, we feel compassion for others and for ourselves. And compassion is a heartfelt emotion that delivers loving-kindness to everyone it touches.

The next time you find yourself feeling about the injustices of the world, try reminding yourself of this very basic fact.

You may be surprised that it can nudge you out of self-pity and into helpful action.

– Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…

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Indulge yourself for a few minutes with the jazzy sounds of Diana Krall, a Canadian originally from Victoria B.C. I believe.   Sending her thanks for the music ! 

 

Sending you each a smile and a hug, take care of those table legs and I know that I feel like you are helping me keep my table from being wobbly ! – David

 

 

Posted in blogging assignments, Just being creative, music related | 24 Comments

Jour 10 – Day 10: Darkest before the Dawn

Posted on April 12, 2020 by dfolstad58

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Thank you for showing interest in my blog.

I felt very uncertain on what to write today but as it is Easter this seems appropriate.  – David

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Corona Virus – Life Is Changed

For many around the world, not just in North America, the Corona Virus has changed lives.

But there is hope.

In South Africa, due to a nationwide shutdown the infection rate reduced from 43 % to 4%.

Keep Your Hand to the Plow – I love this story, and I hope you will also.

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Everyone’s situation is different right now, but my life has shown over and over not to give up.

It’s been nearly a year, 

It’s been nearly a year since April 24, 2019 when I received my third kidney transplant.  I am 61 year old man, and my previous transplant lasted from 1987 until 2018.

As that kidney failed I naturally became sicker and sicker, I resisted dialysis as long as I could.  As soon as I began dialysis I felt better, but I knew that was the death knell for my transplant.

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My health future seemed bleak in September 2018 when I began kidney dialysis (hemodialysis). This is what I posted then. Click here. 

September 2018 was the beginning of a long dark night that lasted until April 24, 2019.

However dawn did arrive. 

My dawn did arrive, but I could not imagine if or when it could in September 2018, I had big obstacles that made a new transplant nearly inconceivable.

My family and my friends made it possible to keep hoping.

In August 2019, after the months of transplant followup, I posted how my life had changed in my blog. Click here.

My long night was over, and dawn came unexpectedly, and now with the Corona Virus we don’t know when dawn is coming, but we know it is.

Keep expecting the dawn my friends, and I will also.

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tractor beside grass field

Photo by Nicolas Veithen on Pexels.com

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