HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1973-12-26, Page 2UTAPPSHIED
1071
BRUSSELS
ONTARIO
titeMitig0 of the' Chtigthiag. 80.66t1.4.
IT'S ANOTHER YEAR END
As 1973 wound to its end, I took a look
back arid agreed with myself that it was
quite a year, as every year is in the brief
flicker that is our life on earth.
Just about a year ago, I slipped on a
new-waxed kitchen floor, went down
headfirst with two arms full of groceries,
struck my far from diminutive beak on the
cupboard and wound up with my features
slightly rearranged. Still have the scar:
There was the night in March when I ran
over my wife. We were coming home from
the curling club, and she'd left before me,
on foot. It was a black night, she had on
dark clothing, and I didn't see a thing unti
I felt the bump.
She wasn't seriously injured, but spent a
week in hospital with abrasions and stuff. I
spent a week in coventry. Neithet of us
found it amusing.
Strangely enough, everybody else did. I
phoned our kids, and each thought it was
hilarious. "Trust you tvio," said Hugh.
"That's typical, Dad 3 " echoed Kim. My
brother-in-law„ the lawyer, couldn't keep
the chuckle out of his voice. Even the judge
snorted with mirth.
There was the night my daughter called
and giggling a bit nervously, asked,
"How'd you like to be a grandfather,
Dad?" I gasped, muttered something
innocuous, hung up and went and looked at
myself in the mirror.
"You're getting on, old boy", I told me.
"I'm sure they don't want grandfathers at,.
fighter pilot reunions, so that's the end or
that." And it was. Though I was sorely
tempted when Dutch Kleiniyer, late of
Australia, phoned before ChristmaS and
said some of the chaps were getting
together for .a —quiet little bash at the
Military Institute:
I know those quiet little bashes. They
start at noon on a Friday and end about six
p.m. on Saturday. Last titne I was there,
one of Our group wanted a souvenir of the'
occasion and swiped the boat's head which
was carried into start the feast: I4e said it
got a bit high after he'd had it for a few
weeks, and he chucked it out,
, Then there wasa glorious tun-inlet in
trigland, long lOoked forward to. I tnissed
niy Canadian swimming and fishing, but
torripensated with castles, cathedrals and
pubs..
Then it WaS fall, and What a beautiful fall
it WAS. It was as though the Creator had
said, "You're rapidly destroying my
masterpiece, but I'm-going to give you one
last taste of honey before you drink the
gall."
Fall brought new classes, new faces, and
the ever-present challenge of pounding .
some principles into heads that were more
interested ,in whether to have gravy or
ketchup on their french fries.
It also brought some shadows. A
colleague, who had been courageously
fighting cancer, died. He was 37. A week
later, one of my students, a lovely, lively
girl of 18, became ill and died overnight. A
few weeks later our head custodian
dropped dead while putting out the
garbage. Two weeks later, two .of our
students were killed'in a car crash. I teach
their little brother.
Behind these personal joys and sorrows,
which all of us have to some extent,
rumbled the affairs of the wotld.
IgnorniniOus, for the AmericanS, end to
the Viet •Nam 'mess. The Wat ergate. A
Vice-President down the drain and a
President dishonoured. Strikes at home
and abroad. A new war in the Middle East.
An energy crisis.
On-the international front, it was pretty
well business as usual. Everything normal,
all fouled' Up.
Back On the home front, it was also an
average year. The odd new wrinkle, a few
hairs less on the dome,teeth clamouring for
a total evacuation. Stuck with daughter's
cat. Stuck by kids for various "grants" and
loans." Old Lady into one of her decorating
sprees. Storm windows on barely in time ;
for the first blizzard.
An average year, a good year. I Wouldn't
trade it. That's a slice of life, and; since it's
the only one we are giVe, we might as well
enjoy every minute oft.
And one of the real, bonuses, for me,
was all those warm and friendly letters
from my readers. 3hr% Art Heaton of
StOuffville and of W.W.I artillery, telling
me of the old brick works in Toronto. Ivirs.
Hilda Sibthorpe, rightly, upbraiding Int for
I saying- felt sorry for young people.
,
And hundreds of others. Thanks,
eVeryone, and keep theft coining.
1914 be A year for Sion of Many joys and few
sadnesses. Keep a stiff tippet lip and your
hand on your wallet. And -try to love
evetybodyi however difficult it may seem:.
—0...)‘40•41.6.410,40-06 ,4"'
russets Post
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1973
'Serving Brussels and the surrounding community
published each Wednesday afternoon at Brussels, Ontario
by McLean Bros. Publishers, Limited.
Evelyn Kennedy - Editor Tom Haley - Advertising
Member Canadian. Community NewSpaper Association and
Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association,
Subscriptions (in advance) Canada $4.00 a year, Others
$5.00 a year, Single Copies 10 cents each..
Second ,class mail HegiStration No. 0562.
Telephone 887-6641,
V.1111 1=111.11101111.•
And it came to pass
Luke 2: 1-10
And it came to pass in those days that there went
out a decree from Ceasar. Augustus, , that all the
world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first
made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all
went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of
Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is
called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and
lineage of David), to be taxed with Mary his
espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that while they were there, the
days were accomplished that she.could be delivered.
And she brought forth her first-born son, and laid
him in a, manger:, because there was no room for
them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds ,
abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock
by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon
them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about
them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said
unto them, "Fear not: for, behold I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shalt be to all people.. For
unto you is born this day in the city of David, A ,
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a
sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God and saying "Glory to
God in the highest and on earth peace, good will
toward men".