Readers write
Movie ‘gave me something to rankle against’
COMMENTARY: Connecting online and in person
A tech writer’s obituary for PCWorld’s print magazine — part tongue-in-cheek, part nostalgia riff — reminded me that I once devoured that magazine, now kaput. It was an early lens into the fascinating world of personal computing. Its ads and articles stoked dreams of power and speed. I soon became part of PCWorld’s dilemma. I…
Living alone/ with others
Something about the placement of the living room furniture caught my attention. With its cozy circle of a comfy couch and chairs, it subtly signaled invitation and welcome. On a whim I asked my African-Canadian host, “Did you grow up in a village?” A native of Zimbabwe, she replied that she had, and then told…
Grandchildren: Growing from self-centredness to unrestrained generosity
November of 2012 brought us our first grandchild and with our grandson came a myriad of hopes and dreams. What will he be like? What will he contribute to society? How will his faith be shaped? Recently, his parents dedicated themselves to teaching him about God. So they are off to a great start! But…
Wild with a paint brush
The pictures I coloured in grade school were neat and tidy, coloured within the lines. Darker lines marked the borders, every section clearly separated from the other; emerald green, lemon yellow and sky blue, each in their place. Church was like that too. I was a Mennonite. My friend was a Catholic; I wasn’t sure…
Readers write
Columnist offers apology for Metzger character assessment
COMMENTARY: Learning to love complexity
Tumult in Egypt reminds me how complicated the world can be, especially for a culture like our own that is shaped by good guy vs. bad guy dramas. Who are the “good guys” in Cairo? Is the ousted president a good guy for being democratically elected or a bad guy for pursuing isolationist Islamic policies?…
New wave of homesteaders embody the Spirit
The best part of growing up in a close-knit church community is the sense that people who are not your relatives become your extended family. At Sherbrooke Mennonite Church in Vancouver, and then at Peace Mennonite in Richmond, where I was baptized, I was part of a community with common values and lifestyles. Then, unfortunately,…
Don’t go or don’t eat?
The end of our kids’ sporting seasons brings about the obligatory team party. As a parent, such events feel a bit like a high school reunion. Most of us are generally the same age and in the same quirky cliques and divisions that existed about two decades ago. Some have remained friends since high school,…
