Children’s mystery can set us free
Birthing a country is one thing. Stopping a three-week-old from crying is another.
Children’s mystery can set us free Read More »
Newspaper columns
A daughter of the world
(The Hamilton Spectator – Friday, June 20, 2003)
Nobody knew. Prior to the birth of our first child, two weeks ago today at St. Joseph’s Hospital here in Hamilton, Jean and I kept her name, Elizabeth top-secret from absolutely everyone.
“It’s from the Bible and it’s not Dorcas,” is all I would reveal, before adding, “If and when we have a boy, we have a biblical name for him too. And it’s not Nimrod.”
So imagine the confirmation we felt when, prior to our return to Canada for the delivery, some western friends in Yemen said good-bye to us by reading the biblical story of Elizabeth.
A daughter of the world Read More »
Some take from Congo, others give
Dr. David Livingstone, celebrated explorer and missionary to Africa, was once asked by a group back in England, “Have you found a good road to where you are? We want to send others to join you.”
“If you have men who will come only if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them,” he replied. “I want men who will come even if there is no road at all.”
Some take from Congo, others give Read More »
Time to let the Qat out of the bag…
Out of the country since last fall, it’s been an experience for me to return and see what’s up here these days. Mad cow, West Nile, SARS. It’s all so dizzying.
Time to let the Qat out of the bag… Read More »
No wonder they claw their way out of jail
SANA’A, YEMEN ✦ Dohhh! Just when the Yankee cat turns its back to focus on Iraq, the Yemeni mice go out to play.
A gang of al-Qaeda-type jailbirds, including two held as key suspects in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole, have apparently vanished from a jail in Aden for good.
Six weeks ago, they escaped in a style that outdid even the Great Escape from Alcatraz.
No wonder they claw their way out of jail Read More »
No wonder they claw their way out of jail
Just when the Yankee cat turns its back to focus on Iraq, the Yemeni mice go out to play. A gang of al-Qaeda-type jailbirds, including two held as key suspects in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole, have apparently vanished from a jail in Aden for good.
No wonder they claw their way out of jail Read More »
Tell your mother you love her
Sunday is Mother’s Day, and I’m reminded that I’ve never held my mother, looked into her eyes and told her that I love her. I’ve never offered a soft kiss on her cheek. I’ve never even given my mother flowers. My mom died before I got the chance.
Tell your mother you love her Read More »
Cultural bridges must run both ways
One of the things I’ve discovered as a part-time resident of the Middle East is how easily things such as cultural nuances can hide in plain view.
Cultural bridges must run both ways Read More »