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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.
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Comments

William Power - June 12, 2021

Happy Anniversary kids! Another wonderfully thought-provoking blog Bruce. Thank you! (P.S.: One of the most wonderful wedding of all time!)

Leo - June 8, 2021

Happy Anniversary Bruce and Shirley !!

Marlene Boakes - June 8, 2021

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!!

Betty A. Plucinski - June 7, 2021

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.

Sharon Alford - June 7, 2021
Greetings from Georgia, USA. Love your blog. Happy anniversary. The Gardens of Hope and Colors of New Glasgow videos with music were absolutely beautiful and inspiring. Hope to visit PEI again someday. We enjoyed your tea and preserves when we visited many years ago and are still enjoying them. Almost time to reorder. Have a great week. Sharon
Wayne and Judy Proude - June 6, 2021

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

Julie MacKenzie - June 6, 2021

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. 👍😊👏

Bunny W - June 6, 2021

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

Norman Finlayson - June 6, 2021

Thank you for sharing your excellent story.

Tom Garbarini - June 6, 2021

Life is short with no guarantees. Love each other like there is no tomorrow. There may not be and then it is too late. 🥰

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