…is that which enables us to count our blessings. - Eric Hoffer, author.
1.) I’m thankful my daughter is safe.
2.) I’m thankful no one at Luther College High School was physically harmed in yesterday’s incident.
3.) I’m thankful for cell phones.
4.) I’m thankful my parents-in-law lent us their van (while mine is being repaired), without which I wouldn’t have been able to get to the school.
5.) I’m thankful for Nancy Ostime’s (Academic Vice-principal) asute observations and quick 911 call.
6.) I’m thankful for Pastor Larry Fry’s calm fortitude.
7.) I’m thankful for the actions and presence mind of school faculty and staff, in particular Mr Steve Haddad (English teacher), who helped many students, including my daughter, leave the school unharmed.
8.) I’m thankful for Mr Mark Anderson’s (Principal) courageous action that finally allowed the police to take control of the situation.
9.) I’m thankful for the decisive and appropriate response of the Regina City Police and its SWAT team.
10.) I’m thankful for the warmth and support of my husband, parents, family and friends.
*sigh*
So I walk out to my van this morning, known as “Vannie” to his family, only to find the driver’s side window smashed out and the steering column cracked.
Brilliant.
To the would be thief:
I may drive a clunker, but you are the loser who couldn’t jump-start a ‘95 Chevy van.
Idiot.
ps. Thanks for the day off work.
Water Retrieve. Photograph, 9 x 5 in. Copyright 2008, Dawn Gates. Used with permission.
This past weekend we took Mack’s ashes up to Lower Fishing Lake and spread them near the spot where he learned to swim. The whole weekend was visually beautiful: the warm Fall weather turning leaves every shade from lemon yellow to alizarin crimson. It was hard to leave. Hard to leave our dog, who never wanted anything more than to be near us, up at the lake. But I promised him him a month ago when he left us that there would be squirrels where he was headed, and I intended to keep my promise.
I’d like to take a moment to thank the people who commissioned pet portraits from me before Mack became sick. Your patience and understanding over the past several weeks has been greatly appreciated.
And for the rest of you, I’ll be back here in a couple days with new sketches - see you then.
