Submitted by Brad Inglis
Well, regardless of the weather – today is the day that the shorts go on and I say good-bye to long pants until November. I don’t think that Hugh Campbell ever really puts his shorts away, that just leaves Dr. Harpur to get his out and then we will be well on our way to summer. It’s odd how life keeps on moving forward, even while it feels like the world has ground to a halt. The schools are closed, jobs hang in the wings, businesses remain shuttered, routine medical procedures are delayed and the village is suspiciously quiet. I don’t even hear the usual pounding of nails and saws buzzing and building and clean up happening, that is usually music to the ears at this time of the year. Life feels like it is on hold and the operator has forgotten all about us.
But if you look a little closer, babies are still being born and welcomed into the world and expectant parents eagerly wait to share their news. Birthdays come whether we like it or not and our kids hit new milestones every day. Learning continues to happen – we are all learning a new way of living and doing business; no one is untouched. Everyone is playing the same waiting game and obviously it is paying off. It feels like we are standing still and maybe we are, but we are doing so with a purpose. For the soul purpose to save the lives of our most vulnerable. Not that we really have a choice but I think that we can grin and bear it for the time remaining. Our choice lies in how we treat each other, how we reach out and how we look after ourselves. Those will be the stories we share and remember. The little acts of kindness, the phone calls and emails and maybe even handwritten notes to those who mean a lot to us. As much as we are in this together, we each carry our own fears and anxieties, commitments and pressures that are private to us. And make it all the more important to be gentle with each other. Enough of my soap box. If we do the right things, we’ll be fine.
Annual Hike for Hospice
My focus now turns to the annual Hike for Hospice. Our own Bruce Peninsula Hospice is very dear to me. This group of dedicated volunteers work quietly in the community helping to ensure those who want to spend their final days at home, remain there. They also provide relief for families when their loved ones are in hospital or nursing homes with volunteer visits. They provide grief support and counselling and advanced care planning. They are operated solely by donations and volunteer support and remain a vital part of end of life care here on the peninsula.
The official kick off for the “virtual” Hike for Hospice is Sunday May 3rd but I am collecting my pledges now. This year instead of the traditional hike sites, we will be physically distancing ourselves and doing our own thing; around our property or neighbourhood, wherever it is appropriate.
In the past folks have been very generous in sponsoring me. This year if you go to the website http://www.bphospice.ca you will find the Hike for Hospice button, click on that, go to teams and you will see Brad’s page. That is where you can sponsor me and tax receipts will be issued. If you can’t maneuver the website, please call me or email and I will arrange to get your pledge – cheques made to Bruce Peninsula Hospice are preferred.
Five years ago, it was my dog Hubbell’s first hike, he was ten weeks old and we are at it again this year. I tie the step counter onto his collar and send him on his way. Thank you in advance for your support!
Sunday service is still online and you can find it on our webpage. You are welcome to reach me at home at 519-596-2821 or by email. If you would like to receive some of my email blasts, just drop me a note and I will add you. Blessings in this time we will remember forever.
Brad Inglis is the minister at Tobermory United Church. He can be reached at binglis2@me.com
www.tobermoryunited.ca
