I Had To Rush Back + Was It an Accident? + Thrown Out of Court
Good Morning from Warren Grove, Prince Edward Island
Kettle on? Let’s have a chat today.
I am aware this morning like no other morning I can remember to realize how fortunate I am.
This weekend will mark our 35th wedding anniversary.
Early in our marriage, I was a workaholic and now see how selfish this endeavour was. I could fill the page with all the things I was or was not.
The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image. If in loving them we do not love what they are, but only their potential likeness to ourselves, then we do not love them: we only love the reflection of ourselves we find in them.~ Thomas Merton
I married an angel, I real one. A gift.
“Angels descending, bring from above, echoes of mercy, whispers of love.” – Fanny J. Crosby
Our story began around 1980.
While driving my ‘Mini’ I saw someone driving a ‘mini’ on Euston street in the other lane towards me.
At the time, it was customary for ‘mini’ drivers to acknowledge the other with a flashing of their car’s headlights.
Coming closer to the oncoming car, no such thing happened!
What, no reciprocal response! I became curious to see who was driving.
When I looked into the passing car, I saw a face. A beautiful face. Upon first glance, I was struck by the beauty, the integrity and the calm.
I remember saying to myself, I could marry her. She is so beautiful.
Over the period of one year, I saw the car and driver 5 more times.
During that year I was managing a dining room on Prince Street which had a help wanted sign in the front window.
A young woman walked into the dining room seeking information about the help wanted sign.
It was 10:30 in the evening and we were open to 1 am. (an Italian menu with pizza and a bar upstairs.)
I couldn’t help notice how attractive she was. I did everything I could to convince her this was a great place to work.
While we were speaking, the front door opens and in comes a few people in tuxedos. It was a bit different for this restaurant.
I excused myself from the conversation and sat the guests and gave them menus.
I rushed back to the conversation.
The door opens again with women in gowns, and more tuxedoed men flooding into the restaurant. 40 seats filled in record time, and I was on the floor by myself.
The National Ballet was in town and the orchestra was hungry.
I asked the interviewee if she wanted to start work now. She politely said, “no.” But offered to take menus to the table and fill the water glasses.
I don’t remember much else about the night, other than everyone got happily fed and the guests were first class, patient and kind.
Three weeks, later the interviewee came back and asked if the job was still available, and she immediately became our newest server.
After working together for three weeks, she mentioned her Dad had been repairing her car and just returned it. I asked, “what kind of car?” She responded, “Mini, and it’s parked out front.”
I loved Minis and had recently sold mine.
I went outside to look. I was gobsmacked.
Here was the blue Mini I had seen 5 times over the previous year.
And in the building getting ready for lunch service, was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen driving it.
I ran back into the restaurant and lifted her up from under her arms and proclaimed that I had been in love with her for over a year. She was a bit shocked, I placed her back on the floor and explained the whole story.
Fortunately for me, we started dating, dating, and more dating. You see she was/is a lady, I was a boy.
Love is the greatest gift when given. It is the highest honour when received. ~ Fawn Weaver
We married six years later on June 7, 1986.
Through the thick and thin, I learned.
Another person’s love cannot fill the hole in your heart.
Filling up your heart is your responsibility.
You need to love and affirm, yourself day by day, moment by moment.
Without love for yourself, no amount of love from your partner is enough.
~Paul Ferrini
&
Your relationship with yourself is and always be directly reflected in all your relationship with others. ~ Vironila Tugaleva
&
You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived, are the moments when you have done things in a spirit of love. ~ Henry Drummond
I share with you a part of our story that seems a bit black and white. When I think about the hand of our creator being the larger part of our story, I now see it in 3D and in technicolour. I as not gobsmacked, I was God-smacked.
“To meet someone. And be met. To be chosen. To choose.To love. To be loved. This is everything.” — Mark Groves
The horrific discovery in Kamloops this past week is so sad. And we are all part of this story.
Those who are part of mankind and feel they can control the world with mean-spirited and evil actions are a stain on the this big blue marble, formed with love for us.
When everything is uncertain, everything that is important becomes clear. -Dr. Caroline Leaf
If you had to explain to a newborn what it means to be a human being living on Earth in the 21st century, what would you say? Visual artist Oliver Jeffers put his answer in a letter to his son, sharing pearls of wisdom on the existence and the diversity of life. He offers observations of the "beautiful, fragile drama of human civilization." In this poetic talk paired with his original illustrations and animations.
Every soul is beautiful and precious; is worthy of dignity and respect and deserving of peace, joy and love. ~Bryant Mc Gill
Take a moment and join us in the Gardens of Hope. Thank you to Katherine MacLaine for capturing this special moment in time and sharing it with us.
Today, while writing with headphones on, I had the joy of being inspired by Brahms & Gernshiem: Piano Quartets by Mianani Klavierquartett. Sample Listen Here.
Wishing everyone a wonderful week and may joy be more than an acquaintance.
With love from Prince Edward Island,
Bruce + Millie
ps. Your Morning Smile
Several women appeared in court, each accusing the others of causing the trouble that they were having in the apartment building where they all lived.
The judge, with Solomon-like wisdom decreed, "Okay, I'm ready to hear the evidence...I'll hear the oldest first."
The case was dismissed for lack of testimony.
Comments
William Power said:
Happy Anniversary kids! Another wonderfully thought-provoking blog Bruce. Thank you! (P.S.: One of the most wonderful wedding of all time!)
June 12, 2021
Leo said:
Happy Anniversary Bruce and Shirley !!
June 08, 2021
Marlene Boakes said:
Happy 35th Anniversary!! Wait till you match ours 57 this year. Get “how we meet” story. My grandfather had a mini and he was always whizzing around. Beautiful video. That was a great “Morning Chuckle” Your blogs are always interesting. Have a great and sunny day!!
June 08, 2021
Betty A. Plucinski said:
What a beautiful story (which I was late in reading your blog this week) – I think a movie could be – should be – in the works. Thank you for sharing and Happy Anniversary.
June 07, 2021
Sharon Alford said:
June 07, 2021
Wayne and Judy Proude said:
Happy 35th. Anniversary Bruce and Shirley! May the Lord bless you with many more. Saw you in church this morning but we were in a different zone. It will be great when we can all be together again. We look forward to your blog each week…such interesting topics. Loved the video of the Garden of Hope, new life and new birth all around us. The wonder of God’s creativity! We are a blessed people!
Blessings,
Wayne and Judy
June 06, 2021
Julie MacKenzie said:
Love your blog. Interesting story of how you two met. Happy 35th Anniversary! I enjoyed both videos. Thanks for sharing! I look forward to your blog every weekend. 👍😊👏
June 06, 2021
Bunny W said:
Happy Anniversary, Bruce and Shirley! Thank you once again for the gift of your marvellous blog. It’s both soulful and inspiring. The music continues to feed our emotions and the TED talks are ever thought-provoking. I look forward to Saturdays and this highlight in my week. I hope it will be possible to get “home” and visit you all in person this summer at the Island Preserve Company
June 06, 2021
Norman Finlayson said:
Thank you for sharing your excellent story.
June 06, 2021
Tom Garbarini said:
Life is short with no guarantees. Love each other like there is no tomorrow. There may not be and then it is too late. 🥰
June 06, 2021
Hildegard Schmidt said:
I love your Blogs Bruce. Greeting from the Beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia.
I have a picture of you somewhere when I visited your wonderful Restaurant and Gift Shop……….a number of years ago on a bush tour. You were dressed in a kilt and greeted the tour with a welcome speech.
Congratulations on your 35 Anniversary.
Hildegard Schmidt
June 06, 2021
Joanne Leger said:
Happy Anniversary, enjoyed reading how you meant.
June 06, 2021
Jane D said:
What s beautiful love story Bruce. Thank you for sharing, and may you and Shirley enjoy many more years together.
Happy anniversary, and I look forward to seeing you both at breakfast soon!
June 06, 2021
Zyna in Winnipeg said:
In this week of such sadness, how lovely to read your love story this morning. There need to be more such moments of shared joy, so thank you for sharing your magical meeting along your karmic pathways, and in minis, no less! What could be better than that!
I had a mini I loved in the 60’s, but had to leave it behind when I emigrated to Canada. I often wonder if it’s still out there somewhere. They were such basic little machines back then. No ‘extras’ , no fancy fabric upholstery, just a bare metal frame, with a driver’s door that opened with what seemed to be a loop of plastic clothesline! I bought mine second-hand and had it sprayed black. I was ecstatic. My father was horrified! How I loved that car!
However, I have to tell you when I came here in the 60’s I was totally unaware, totally ignorant of what was happening to the children in residential schools. I cannot even remember when I first came to know about the schools at all – and I was a teacher!
I only come back to your reference to the news today because of a single phrase in your essay which hit me like a ton of bricks.
The phrase…‘Hurt people hurt people’. Oh so true. That thought has haunted me today.
Bruce, as always, today’s compilation was a beautiful collection of importance…but what is most important is your willingness to share with us – your readers – the love that has grown from those ‘mini’ beginnings into your ‘maxi’ love story of today.
Much love to you and Shirley. Happy Happy Anniversary!
June 06, 2021
Brynhilde Roth said:
Wishing you and Shirley a very Happy Anniversary!
June 06, 2021
Brynhilde Roth said:
Wishing you and Shirley a very Happy Anniversary!
June 06, 2021
Murdock Morrison said:
Wonderful " Mini Like Story" with lots of twists and turns to finding the love of your life. Yes “love makes the difference” and congrats in loving every minute of those 35 years together . Looking forward to next Tuesday as we are coming to our cottage by the sea even though we have to isolate for 14 days. Have a great week- Murdock and Connie
June 06, 2021
Ruth Weirich said:
Congratulations on your anniversary! But 6 years? Goodness, Bruce! My husband and I had our first date (a blind date!) On 3/23/73. He asked me to marry him on 7/29/73, my birthday. He gave me a beautiful bouquet of peach colored roses that day and on 10/19/74, I carried a white bouquet down the aisle – with 2 peach colored roses nestled in it. This year, we’ll
celebrate 47 years together and I thank God constantly for putting me in the right place at the right time and for the dear friend who set up that date. We have been so very blessed and since we both retired, have been able to travel at will. Visiting PEI was on my bucket list. In 2019, we were able to visit your enchanted island and visited your store. My wish is to come back some day, but in the meantime, your weekly blogs, quotes and lovely photos of PEI keep our memories close in our hearts! Thank you!
June 06, 2021
Belinda Whittle said:
Congratulations on making it to 35! Hope you had a wonderful anniversary. :)
June 06, 2021
Jack & Lillian Paul said:
Happy Anniversary to you & Shirley… what a lovely story. Jack & I will celebrate 65 yr in Aug and like you enjoy every precious day. I also like the garden video…where there are flowers there is hope…..very fitting for your Garden of Hope.
Lillian
June 06, 2021
janet Wright said:
Happy anniversary and beautiful story! I love how God works out all things for our good. Nothing is coincidence with Him.
June 06, 2021
Janice Waggoner said:
Happy Anniversary. Thank you for sharing your beautiful love story and the music. Pray you have a safe and blessed weekend.
June 06, 2021
Irene O'Leary said:
Your videos of the gardens were beautiful as well as the colors of New Glasgow. Enjoyed both. Congratulations on your anniversary. Irene
June 05, 2021
Cathy Hammond said:
A beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.
June 05, 2021
Monica said:
Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful love story! Thank you for sharing it with us.
June 05, 2021
Elaine V. said:
What a beautiful love story Bruce! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Congratulations & best wishes to you & Shirley!
June 05, 2021
Lynn said:
Wow! 35 years! congratulations — may you have many more beautiful years together.
Thank you so much for your blog. I, like so many others, look forward to it every Saturday. You find such interesting topics and quotes, and help me learn. Learning is important is important, but especially as we get older and want to keep our brains functioning, so thanks for that!
Blessings
Lynn
June 05, 2021
Bonnie Gordon said:
Lovely story Bruce, warms my heart. All good wishes to you and Shirley. Hope to see you in the near future. I’m a big fan as you already know.
June 05, 2021
Mary McCaughey said:
Happy Anniversary Shirley and Bruce! Here’s to another 35 wonderful years.
June 05, 2021
Heidi Wilker said:
Wishing you both a wonderful 35th anniversary! May God continue to bless you with love and happiness for MANY more years. Don and I will be celebrating our 45th at the beginning of September. We don’t have quite the same romantic story that you do, but let’s just say that if I hadn’t asked him out on our first date, we likely wouldn’t be together – he was too shy to ask me. I took advantage of the “Susie Q” week during Valentines at the University of Guelph…
June 05, 2021
Donna Bernard said:
Happy Anniversary to you, Bruce and Shirley. Have a great day!
June 05, 2021
Sharon said:
Happy Anniversary!!The Gardens of Hope are beautiful.It is so sad to hear about those dear children in Kamloops.
June 05, 2021
Norma J said:
What a beautiful video of the Gardens of Hope. Just watching this video took me to a
very peaceful place for a couple of minutes. Thank you for sharing.
Happy anniversary and many more!!
June 05, 2021
Lyndal Joseph said:
Happy Anniversary!! May you have 35 more!
June 05, 2021
Hugh and Kathy said:
Happy Anniversary…
Enjoyed your post and can’t wait for our delicious meal and stroll through the beautiful Garden of Hope in mid July .
This is an annual stop for us when we visit PEI.
See you soon …
June 05, 2021
Susan B said:
Bruce what a beautiful blog !!!
I feel reset by watching the videos. The Gardens of Hope is a lovely inspiration.
I am also very saddened by what has happened in Kamloops. Sending love and courage to our First Nations people.
What a love story !! Happy Anniversary, cheers to you both.
Susan B
June 05, 2021
E said:
Congratulations on your anniversary.
Bruce, six years, what took you soooo long??
June 05, 2021
Tati said:
Happy anniversary!! You certainly made ours special when we enjoyed our dinner at your beautiful spot! May God continue to bless your union and give you both a healthy, long and happy life together. Thank you for sharing your love story with us.
June 05, 2021
Mikel and Kay Stevenson said:
Happy 35th Anniversary to you both! And thank you for sharing the beginning of your love story, Bruce. Indeed, sharing our life with one who who captures our heart is beautiful and fulfilling…sharing our life with one who also shares our faith is amazing.
With deep appreciation for all the positive, uplifting thoughts you share with all of us.
And the peak into The Garden of Hope is gorgeous.
Kay and Mikel
June 05, 2021
Kay said:
Happy Anniversary! A beautiful story. Thank you for the walk through the beautiful garden & the gorgeous colors.
June 05, 2021
Nancy said:
Happy 35th anniversary Bruce and Shirley
A wonderful story of how you got together!
My husband Dave and I were 50 years in Oct time flies by!!
Nancy
June 05, 2021
Bev Touchette said:
A beautiful memory to share, thank you for brightening our day. Happy Anniversary
June 05, 2021
althea said:
Yaaay to Shirley and you, Bruce. Extra yaays to Shirley for her patience. (Just kidding, Bruce.) Fabulous and best news in months. Thanks for sharing your joy.
June 05, 2021
Cathie Sabourin said:
Your ‘love story’ should be a Hallmark Movie. Beautiful story and thanks for sharing. Congratulations and best wishes to you and your bride.
I certainly believe in fate as my husband and I crossed paths many times before we connected. Meant to be.
June 05, 2021
Anne Boner said:
Our warmest congratulations! My John and I are coming up on 56 years in August. We are at the age where every day together is precious, since we know they are limited….but sweeter than ever. May you have at least another 35 together, God willing!
June 05, 2021
Betty Doucette said:
Happy Anniversary! Great 35 years. I got you beat it was 43 years for us March 25th. May you and your wife have many more.
Boy, I miss PEI Summer!
your friend from Yarmouth NS
Betty
June 05, 2021
Betty said:
I’m a fan. You are an inspiration.
June 05, 2021
Brenda Carvey-Cristall said:
Hi Bruce
I so enjoyed your story over maple tea this morning. Happy 35th Anniversary. Our 30th Anniversary is in ten days. I believe that this pandemic has shown me what is truly important in life, by causing life to slow down. May we all learn to love more, and appreciate what this amazing world has to offer. I am reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. It is a true gem and gives you a new sense of appreciation for nature. Take care, and keep up the great writing Bruce❣️
June 05, 2021
Gail Smith said:
Congratulations and best wishes to you & Shirley on your 35th! Best of love and life to both of you!
June 05, 2021
Barb and Andy Werner said:
May you enjoy may more years of health and happiness.
June 05, 2021