A few days ago, I fell en route to the red mailbox afront our
residence building.
The snow was deep, sidewalks and parking still awaiting the snow
plow!
Several inches of white flakey stuff had embedded and deeply covered
all walking areas. Yes, I slid my letter through the mail slot, then
cautiously stepping through the snow depth, and unable to see a short
curb, my right foot stumbled over it, causing me to fall forward.
Unable was I to get up! A gentleman from my building observed the
fall and together with a young man stealthily approaching from the
sidewalk area, they lifted me onto my feet. A female resident
leaving the building, pushed my walker to within reach. I was So
Grateful!
The best way to find yourself ~ is to lose yourself in the service
of others.
(Advice from Mahatma Gandhi)
A
Final, Wonderful Act of Kindness
Scott Radley recently reported to The Hamilton Spectator:
“He didn't recognize the voice on the other end of the phone. All
he recalls was that the man who was speaking wanted to meet somewhere
because he wanted to help. It was a lovely gesture that Wayne
Claxton wasn't about to turn down. Regular readers of The Spec may
remember by his story and photo which ran on the front page a month
or so ago. The 58-year-old from Waterdown was a long-time local
hockey referee who worked hundreds and hundreds of games over the
years ~ eventually becoming an Ontario minor Hockey Association
supervisor, then an instructor carrying a passion for officiating
that was infectious.
“But back in the spring when what he thought was a pulled muscle
from working the game, turned out to be cancer, he lost his right leg
up to the hip. The specially designed artificial limb he'd need to
walk again, came with an enormous $61,000 price tag. Recognizing
the financial bind he was now in, his family quickly responded with
a fundraiser. Many, many friends capped by dozens of hockey
officials chipped in with donations and a referee sweater signed by
all of them was promptly donated to Wayne Claxton. Close to $20,000
was raised that night...but still many thousands of dollars short!
“A guy, who'd read the story in the paper, wanting to do something
to contribute, called Claxton one evening to get together. After
discussing and answering all kinds of questions about his cancer and
the leg and why the 'prosthetic' was so darn expensive, he chatted
about advanced technology. Then he dropped the bombshell ~ telling
Claxton and his wife Tracie, that on behalf of his own family, he'd
like to 'take care of the rest of the cost...all $20,000 of it.'
Wayne Claxton stated, “My
jaw dropped! And
Tracie cried.
“Claxton is self-employed. He has no benefits to cover an expense
like this leg. The couple had sold their house and taken on a
mortgage. Tracie had taken on extra shifts doing mental health
support. They'd borrowed money. They'd downsized their lives to
whittle away at the debt. The government covered $8,000. War amps
chipped in $1,000. A Go-Fund-Me account brought in $10,000.
“But one question remains ~ Who
exactly is this generous benefactor who authoured, perhaps this
area's nicest Christmas story this year? Who would do something so
kind? That's a secret.
Claxton would love to tell, but he can't.
“The
donation came with the request that 'they wanted to remain
anonymous!'
Claxton did offer that the man and his family are from the Hamilton
area.”
Candlelight
Vigil for Veterans
A dramatic night-sky colour photo by Gary Yokohama highlights 'page
A3'
in the Hamilton Spectator today...December 26, 2017.
“Volunteers observe a moment of silence at Woodland Cemetery
Christmas Eve. They were taking part in the 8th annual
veterans' candlelight memorial organized by the North Wall Riders
Association. Red candles were placed on 835 gravestones in the
upper level of the cemetery where local veterans are buried. The
motorcycle riders group which is dedicated to supporting veterans'
causes and bringing awareness to those who served their country, say
many of the more than a quarter million Canadians who fought in and
survived wars are buried in military plots across the country. They
welcomed the public to the candlelight service at dusk on Sunday,
promising them an unforgettable moving sight.”
Couple
Warms Hearts and Bodies on Christmas Day
“Edward Campbell stands on a snowy sidewalk in downtown Hamilton
waiting for a winter coat. He and other men staying at the Salvation
Army on York Boulevard, are shivering in the cold wind on Christmas
morning, paradoxically, to get a little warmer. “Oh man, I feel
better,” says Campbell with coat in hand. That's thanks to
Roger and Janet Boyd, who operate Men's Street Ministry out of a
trailer towed by a pickup truck. They drive around, giving food and
toiletries to the less fortunate.
'These guys are so appreciative. They count on me,'
says Roger.
“Moved to give to the needy, he started the mobile ministry in
September 2016. The effort is fuelled by faith and a handful of
volunteers who make soup and sandwiches...and sort clothes. Roger
also praised those who donate to the cause.
Campbell is one of about 60 men who pour out of the Salvation Army
to collect items from the Boyds.
(Written by Teviah Moro...The Hamilton Spectator, December 26, 2017)
Spy
Hill, Saskatchewan 'Flips' for Stranded Via Rail Riders
A small Saskatchewan town opened its doors on Christmas morning to a
Via Rail train, with almost 100 passengers, that suffered mechanical
problems due to extremely cold weather. Company spokesperson, Mariam
Diaby said in an email that the train travelling between Vancourver
and Toronto had to stop at Spy Hill. The passengers were sheltered in
the local community centre where they received food, including
pancakes with Canadian maple syrup as well as drinks and warmth.
Spy Hill's deputy fire chief, Calvin Petracek, said he was doing farm
chores when texts went out to local firefighters asking volunteers to
help. He said, “There's no railway station in Spy Hill, which has
a population of of about 300 people, so the train was stopped at a
siding in the community. It's only about 100 metres from the train to
the hall; most passengers walked, although the wind chill was -43!”
He said the stranded passengers were served pancakes cooked by people
in the town, with help from the cooks on the train. The stranded
passengers were to be taken to Winnipeg for further transportation.
(Published by The Canadian Press, December 26, 2017)
A person's most successful asset is not a head full of knowledge,
but a heart full of love...an ear ready to listen...and a hand
ready to help.
(Unknown author)
Helping one person might not change the world,
but it could change the world for one or more persons.
(Anonymous)
Submitted by Merle Baird-Kerr...December 26, 2017
Comments most welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca
or inezkate@gmail.com
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