We’re on the road! Our amazing Subaru
(2005) cruises through the highways as if she knows exactly in which direction
she is being driven. The Rocky Mountain loom ahead. They are majestic, even
from far away. We are definitely on our way home.
I am Canadian, no doubt. But the fact of
the matter is, I was born in the United States. I left very early in my life,
and did so intentionally. Spending time in Billings Montana reminds me of some
of the reasons I left some 43 years ago.
Reason #1- I order my coffee at the local
Coffee Roasters. “I’ll have a medium sized bold coffee, please.” I said. As I
receive my coffee, and move away from the counter, the man with the cowboy hat
behind me orders his…”Give me a gunpowder green tea, please.” I walk away
quietly. Who would name a green tea “Gunpowder”? And who would want to drink
that anyway?
Reason #2 – Paul went to make his coffee
this morning in the lobby of the Days Inn where we stayed last night. He looks
for milk to put in his coffee and, when he doesn’t find any, he says to out
loud, “They serve coffee mate in all kinds of flavours. I’m looking for regular
milk! There doesn’t seem to be any.” A woman hears him and, pointing to the
container on the shelf advises, “Look over. There’s a big jug of milk over there
for cereal! Halllloooo!” As she
and her friend walk away, her friend says, “I wouldn’t take him snake hunting!”
The United States is rough, in some places.
I’m happy to be Canadian. I’m thrilled to be making my way towards those
mountains.
The radio station plays 60’s music. Again,
I am reminded of my youth. My dad once took me to see Diana Ross and The
Supremes. I remember how excited he was when he brought home the tickets, and,
though I don’t remember the whole evening, I do remember feeling appreciative
of his gesture to be with me at the concert.
I’m thinking of my dad today, and how we
become who we are because of those early influences in our lives. My dad died
14 years ago, and he still remains a presence in the way I chose to live. My
dad was a gentle, loving soul. He found solace in his spiritual expression and
sought opportunity to connect, in his own way, with God. He was meek and afraid and determined, and
never really felt satisfied in what he was doing. He worked hard, waiting for
the time when he could retire and ‘enjoy life’. He died before that was able to
happen.
During the last workshop I facilitated with
teacher candidates a few weeks ago they made mention of host teachers who they
found to be rigid and cold. They question then, the pedagogical advantages of
‘teaching the whole child’, which emphasizes compassion, a more gentle
approach, and focuses on developing trust, active participation and inclusion
in a classroom instead of strict and conforming culture. Our discussion led to the
idea that, as we develop critical thinking abilities, we learn what to accept
and adopt into our practises and what to let go. It’s a little bit of knowing
what not to do!
As I live my life and appreciate each day
while mindfully nurturing my relationships, I think about my dad and how he wanted to live. He talked about living a
‘free’ life.
Even though he was paranoid and suspicious about others, his fears
never prevented him from seeking universal love. He had compassion and interest
and a strong sense of adventure; all of which he never got to actualize. So
much of what I do in my life, I think, is inspired by his dreams.
Even though he was paranoid and suspicious about others, his fears
never prevented him from seeking universal love. He had compassion and interest
and a strong sense of adventure; all of which he never got to actualize. So
much of what I do in my life, I think, is inspired by his dreams. 
