president who?

My friend works at an inner city after school program. One day recently they were discussing the new President of the United States.

"does anyone know who Obama is?"

"he's the new president."

"does anyone know who the first president of the USA was?"

"George Washington."

"Can you think of anyone else named George who was president?'

"George Bush."

Then one of the kids wanted to ask a question:

"When was George Clooney president?"

Now there's a kid after my own heart.

the cleaning philosopher

I spoke to our new cleaning lady yesterday. First of all, she was stunned I actually spoke to her 'cause generally, as stupid as this sounds, nurses don't converse with cleaning people, unless it's to tell them to clean something faster. Anyway, I digress. So, she was cleaning my patient's room and I said, "hello, I'm Laura, what's your name?" "Boujana (?sp)." " where are you from?" "Poland." "thank you for cleaning my patient's room." "it's my job." "well, I really couldn't do my job if you weren't here, so thank you." Our conversation continued beyond the necessity of the housekeeper. Boujana has been in Canada for over 10 years and feels very embarrassed about her english. I asked her what she used to do in Poland. She looked at me sheepishly and I told her it was fine if she didn't want to tell me, but I could tell she kind of wanted to. So I waited. She said, "I was a Philosophy professor at a university." Now she cleans floors and beds and empties gigantic garbage cans. She said she just doesn't look back because it's better here and her children are happy and they are all in school. She has four children. The oldest is 21 and the youngest is 12. She said they are safe and they will get jobs. She smiled at me and said, "thank you for asking me my name. thank you for asking me questions." I said, "you're welcome and thank you."

New Year

As most people, I have been thinking about the last year and anticipating the year to come. In 2008, I bought a condo, travelled to India, worked through some difficult relationships, made some excellent new friends, said goodbye to others, witnessed some medical miracles, caught my first fish, danced at some weddings, laughed until I cried and cried until I fell asleep. I know Jesus a little more than I did this time last year and I am a little more changed.

Although I don't know what 2009 holds, I'm sure it will be full of beauty and sorrow, excitement and boredom, love and hate, expected and unexpected. Even though I don't know what this year holds I do know Who holds it. I take great comfort in knowing the One who knows all of my days before one of them even happens. Today, while making some goals for the year ahead I decided on some verses that will be my theme. Psalm 91:1,2. "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Lord. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.'"

May 2009 be a year of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control for you, the ones you love and the world.