Judy Price is Writing

This is the last day of June, 2010, and the week after seven tumultuous days  before!

Beginning with the tremor of an earthquake felt in Toronto’s city core, which was an omen of what was to follow with the G20 summit and the darker element infiltrating peaceful protestors, it culminated in a backlash of bad press.

I chose not to witness what  unfortunately did transpire in my own neighbourhood, with a purposeful escape to a more peaceful setting.

My return in a torrential downpour, as if to cleanse Toronto after the ‘storm’ it had endured, was to a feeling of being held ‘hostage’, as the lockdown prevented me from reaching my home until the next day.

In spite of vandalism and a torched police cruiser, lost profit and wages for business owners and employees, bruised egos and frightened bystanders, exhausted police and criticism of the way they handled the ensuing day/night, I believe Torontonians came out of this relatively unscathed.

Compared to some past G20 summits in other cities in the world, where violence led to injury and worse, our inhabitants and citizens were protected.

Now if the civil rights authorities can dissect how the police handled everything as a whole, and put forth viable alternative solutions which could lead to the same end result of paramount safety for the majority of human beings involved, then that aftermath will be a positive outcome for all.

The way I see it, criticism without constructive answers is no solution at all.

As I prepare to escape the city this week, with the G20 Summit and all of the security repercussions taking place in my ‘front yard’, I experienced my first earthquake. 

As I stood in my kitchen, the dining room glass & mirrored china cabinet with all of its’ fragile contents began rattling.

Then I heard the sweet sound of wind chimes in my sunroom, which was strange as the patio door was shut.

I called security and determined that indeed Ontario, Quebec and parts of the United States also felt the tremor.

The television news reported a 5.5, then downgraded it to a 5.0 quake that originated near Gatineau, Quebec. 

My thoughts then turned to a friend who is vacationing this week at her cottage in the Gatineaus, and I have no way to communicate with her. 

Hopefully, she and the foundation of her living structure are safe and sound.

I cannot imagine how people in Haiti and other parts of the world felt/feel when unthinkable disaster strikes.

I was ‘shaken‘ just standing there watching, listening and feeling the ‘earth move under my feet’, and not in a good way as the lyrics of the song imply!

Once again I am reminded that not very much in this life is within my control. 

Here I am ready to flee the city and an earthquake occurs!  Irony. 

In fact, at the precise moment I felt this powerlessness, I also felt fear.

That feeling surprised me as I believe in an afterlife.

Then I realized that there are many dreams I have that are yet to be fulfilled. 

Sharing this and countless other experiences in life, both positive and negative, with the ‘one’ who is my counterpart, is not only a wish, but also a prayer of mine. 

Whether or not it will be answered in the affirmative I do not know. 

When I am reminded that my earthly home is only clay, I am forced to ‘let go’ and realize that God is at the helm.

As a spiritual being my foundation cannot be shaken.  

Single parents who have divorced are faced with questions of how this life-altering event will affect their children, whatever the ages.

Provided they have given a solid, secure, loving foundation to their offspring in their formative years, hopefully the consequences will be minimal.

There are so many variables affecting every individual throughout his/her life that it is difficult to pinpoint which one produces what result.

At some point every adult is faced with ‘owning’ his/her life and psychological health.

Until that stage, it is the parents’ responsibility to be vigilant and assist their children to deal with whatever negative impact the divorce might have, enlisting the assistance of professionals when necessary.

Children whose parents never divorced can also become unhealthy adults.

Divorced parents either choose to feel guilt or not.

Guilt is a negative, anxiety-producing emotion which can prevent constructive action.

Knowing this, it is much better to decide to eliminate guilt by taking positive steps to do the best one can do for one’s children as a parent and as an adult, since that is all that can realistically be expected from anyone.

Summer has ‘officially’ arrived in this hemisphere, meaning this is the longest day of the year.

Of course, that leads me to the thought that every day after this for the next six months will get shorter.

Is the cup half full or half empty?

Positive, hopeful individuals will keep looking for good surprises to be coming right around the next corner, no matter how dismal things might look now.

As I remind myself that this is ’who’ I not only want but need to be in order to maintain inner peace and joy, I will relish this day and night as long as possible!

Perspective is everything as I continue on my life’s journey, keeping summer dreams alive all year long