Life and Death

Charles Dickens opening line in A Tale of Two Cities is "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Ruth and I were able to rejoice in the birth of Dominique Baggett in July of this year. We held her and rocked her and were able to rejoice in being able to see her 18 month old brother react to his new sister. Also Ruth and I were able to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary in France but our holiday trip was tempered by the knowlege that my sister Laveena was dying. She died while we were in France and we remembered her life on Thanksgiving day in Saskatoon. But the worst shock was the death of Jennifer's baby. When she went to the hospital for the delivery Nov. 1, they could find no heartbeat. The baby was born natually the next day about 1:00. John and Jennifer named him Gordon Hector Wallace after both of their Grandfathers. The baby was 10 pounds 3 ounces and was perfectly formed. There is a Chinese proverb that says that there is no house that doesn't have its hush. We certainly know what that means. Once again we are reminded that this life is just a passing shadow and there is a much better one to look forward to. We are also reminded to appreciate all the more how fragile life is and that we need to be kind and loving and remember what is really important in our everyday living.