Courage defined... as well as other enviable qualities.

 

 

cour·age /ˈkərij/ (noun): 

1. the ability to do something that frightens one:

Like many of us I recently got together with good friends to celebrated our friendships, ring in 2017 with champagne, and enter the new year with great anticipation of the things to come.

He had mentioned that he may bring a Jello fruit salad; not only did he bring it, he also made it.  It was a multicoloured, multilayer, Jello dessert that was literally bursting with fruit inside and liberally topped with whipped cream. I've known the creator of this fine dessert since grade school and to discover that this slightly edgy, slightly cranky, hard core finance and business leader had gone into the kitchen, took a chance, and made this Jello fruit salad was the true definition of courage. The testament of his character was out on the counter for all to see, and for me, it was something quite magnificent.

As the night progressed, and as Jello fruit salads are apt to do, it began to split and fruit spilled out in a great escape, leaving the salad somewhat unrecognizable. This by no means detracted from the courage it took to make it, the kindness to bring it, and the friendship to share his Jello fruit salad. In all the fun and excitement of the evening I never did get a chance to taste it, but I wanted to make sure he knew it was greatly appreciated. It was a wonderful evening and a great way to bring in the New Year.

Thank you to all of those I have the privilege to call my friend. All the best in 2017!

iamgpe

What if I fall?

What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly.

I have always liked this meme, for no other reason I suppose than it speaks to the human condition and the human experience that connects us all.

 

Our imagination and our dreams will take us far.

Nothing ever happens without the bravery to take that leap, climb that ladder, or take that first step.

Doubt and fear will keep us on the ground.

Generation, after generation, we were born to fly.

And as much as I've always liked the meme, I simply love this one.

 

 

Fall seven times, stand up eight.

Because it reminds us that we are born to fly.

iamgpe

A day to Remember...

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

The poem In Flanders Fields was written by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae in World War I, and along with the poppy, have become the symbols to remember those man and woman who fought and died to protect our freedoms.

Today, November 11th, is Remembrance Day in Canada, and at 11:00 am I will offer a moment of silence in remembrance.

And I shall never forget.

iamgpe