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Near Misses

Life is an interesting collage of intended and happenstance events, actions and behaviours.

There are many near misses along that amazing journey, so, so close to success, so, so close to failure, so, so incidental, so, so consequential. There are the nearly won, the nearly lost, the nearly extinguished, the nearly blossomed, the nearly loved, the nearly wedded, the nearly bought, the nearly sold, the nearly died, the nearly lived…….

Stanley Cup Playoffs are a time of near misses. In a seven game series, it is not always that the best team wins. There are so many near misses in shots that go wide, shots that deflect in and shots that deflect out, shots that hit goal posts and go in, shots that hit goal posts and stay out, penalties that are called, penalties that are not called, players that are injured on a play, players who escape injury despite a major collision, coaches that inspire, coaches that don’t, leaders who lead, leaders that don’t. This is a complex collage of personal effort, team effort, near misses, good intentions, and good fortune. It is no surprise that people say winning the Cup is difficult when those near misses fill all series, through four rounds of competition, and potentially 28 games per team in order to win 16 of those games, and the Cup.

With so many near misses in play during this rather thrilling time of the ice hockey year, it is not surprising that there are unexpected winners, unexpected losers, and many unexpected outcomes along the way. We should honour all of those teams and players who play for the Cup.  They all have a chance.  They all want the same result. Some want it a little more. But mostly the winner has been on the right side of near misses.

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Spring Rebirth and Older Ages

We are very fortunate that spring is fresh and damp and beautiful in Vancouver.

It is stunning to see mixture of rain clouds and sunny skies, the profusion of flowering plants from humble crocuses, to vibrant forsythia, to majestic dogwoods and magnolias, to the splendor of cherry blossoms and unfolding weeping willows and sturdy oaks.  The eyes and the nose are given the full melody of colours and aromas, while the ears wish they could hear better so the sounds of explosive blooms and unfurling leaves could be sensed!  Like the seasons of life for all living things, the face of nature in our communities is to be marveled about, to champion and to revere. The spawning of new life or new energy that comes every year is one of the true miracles of our experiences here and around the world. With this magical symphony of renewal, it is easy to forget about the beauty of ageing.

Today I wrote a poem for an old friend who will be celebrated by his family in early May upon the occasion of his 80th birthday.

I have had the privilege and pleasure of knowing this special person for about 52 years.  He has lived a very interesting life, full of classical philosophy, full of railroads, full of classical music, full of adventures and full of lovely family. He has come through the hallways of hospitals, the profound severity of coronary artery disease, and the near-death experience of arrhythmia. He has surprised everyone with a special kind of resilience and stamina.  He has shown the “springs” of these 80-odd years in all that he has pursued. He has brought renewal and freshness just like a Vancouver April. He is at the same time, larger than life itself. He has taught many what it means to be youthful in physical being and in soulfulness.

Thanks Richard for the many memories.  I trust that your 80th birthday will be one for the ages….. It is so appropriate that your birthday is in May, as you are part of what spring should be like.

 

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English Bay Today

Dear blog…I have been away from you for some time.  Just been so busy with so many things…..not enough time to reflect.  Today I had a little time…..

I had lost my poppy the other day, so needed a new one. Remembering all those soldiers who have sacrificed for our country is so important. It was a little amazing how sparse the sources of poppies was in our neighbourhood.  Finally found them at Shoppers Drug Mart! So I got two, one as a backup! One of them went immediately on my Canucks scarf, proudly out front for the world to see.

Then down to English Bay for a sit down and a walkabout. It is so beautiful today…..warm sunshine in open skies, light breezes and cool but gentle air. I sat for a while looking out towards the north shore mountains.  They are sitting too, calmly waiting for snow and the skiers and boarders that will bring. The Bay was filled with tankers, at least a dozen, in their little askew pattern. Nearby there were numerous small sail boats anchored in the beautiful backdrop of of Vancouver. And out toward Spanish Banks a good-sized regatta is underway. A few small clouds hover over the mountains and Point Grey. Seagulls rise and fall in the wind, they too enjoying this glorious fall day.

A little of everything is going on…….chatters, walkers, runners, cyclers, tennis enthusiasts, children and families at the swings, dogs prancing, waves rushing forward, kite surfer hurtling, and people paused by logs and benches to embrace the peace or two talk about life with friends.  Children running hither and thither on the beach always provide eruptions of energy and wild careening with little friends. Old tree stumps sit quietly, a mere shadow of a day when they would have been part of a majestic tree. They deserve attention too. A few 2-person volleyball matches are playfully underway, while on empty courts the occasional gull uses a post as a perch to find an off-chance meal.

Indeed, it is a wonderful place on a wonderful day.

English Bay mirrors the greatness of this coastal clime and the civil society in which we live. One cannot ignore how grateful and peaceful being in the milieu makes one feel. Sooner than later I must return…..

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Days of Summer

The weather in the Left Coast has been exceptional this spring and summer.

And, of course, here in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere of this earth, we enjoy long days of sunshine and light.  The sublime early sunrises and late sunsets are good for the energy and activities of recreation, hobbies and spiritual renewal. The days allow one to get a lot of work done but still have much time for favourite pastimes and creative journeys.

For us, it has been a summer of renovation.

Our home is in the late stages of revitalization. A complete gutting of the main floor, a literal raising of the ceiling into a great vault, a new kitchen with spacious island, shiny appliances, and new colours to make the heart arouse. The new book shelves in the den-living room will allow us to put out many fine volumes that are hidden in boxes or stuffed away out of sight until now. A new high resolution television screen will visualize the best of football, golf, hockey, nature, movies and special moments. My dragons are re-emerging from boxes to sit on guard of our home in a quiet, stately and elegant way. The new sense of space in the rooms makes breathing seem easier and the air more easily inhaled. These changes are complemented by new flooring throughout, bright hews of yellow, blue, orange, white and grey to lift the eyes and the soul.

The outside of the house will be painted soon too, a fresh white with grey trimmed.  An uplift!  And the doors all will have been replaced with tighter fitting, more attractive versions, from screen doors, to wood and glass. And the lower level will soon also have new flooring, a new bathroom and a general uplift too.

Meanwhile, it has been a big golfing summer.

I have golfed more holes than any previous year. It has been much fun with buddies from Beach Grove and elsewhere to pursue the good times of birdies, pars, bogies and double bogies. There are many jokes, many playful insults and a little praise here and there.  Golf is a super way to exercise the body, exorcise the soul, and connect with nature……..hawks, eagles, pines, poplars, flowers, grasses, cat tails, water, ducks, geese, herons, squirrels,  and one some courses, deer, coyotes, and occasional nutria can be seen.

We have had many dinners this summer with family and friends.  They just seem to keep coming.  These feasts are beyond our usual number. Celebratory in many ways, but mostly to celebrate life and good cheer.  All of these calories mean keeping up those early morning personal training sessions and walking four miles as many times per week as possible on the golf courses rather essential to homeostasis.

And, in amongst all of the recreative activities, there is the stimulation of science with my colleagues.

We are pushing hard on our biomarker development programs, and it seems that investors are noticing our quality and capabilities with a new level of enthusiasm and engagement.  I anticipate much progress as we head towards the late summer days.  More chances for innovation and help for patients and healthcare providers.  It is a passion, a calling, we must relentlessly seek.

Days of summer are fresh.  They are full in all wonderful ways.  Thanks.

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Canada days….and nights

Yesterday was Canada Day 2018.

It was a great day. Early golf with Janet at McCleery, a little rest and a sort of wild movie at the local theatre. The day became more and more fair as the hours went by. It was truly another gorgeous day by the sea.

Today is not officially Canada Day, but it is a day when Canadians take a little vacation. And the weather cooperated once again. (We have had many, many beautiful days this spring and early summer.) We got going slowly and then went to the driving range to sharpen up our games. And, then a stop-off at the nursery to find a few plants for Janet’s patio garden.  Quite an assortment came with us in the car, including a great tomato plant that may deliver a number juicy fruits in the weeks ahead.

With these Canada Day celebrations and pauses, it is good to think about all of Canada’s days….and nights. As history as evolved, we as Canadians have been fortunate to have a cultural make up that is largely sane, sensitive and kind. The world has had many twists and turns. There have been many moments of peace, and many, many wars and conflicts. The nature of human beings has fostered conflict.  It has fostered a number of brutal events.  Many people have died through these conflicts, both in the armies and in the civilian populations. We really do have trouble “learning” from the conflicts.  We allow megalomaniacs to gain power, to make decisions, to rule in such a way that sensibility and compassion are lost. After each major conflagration, we reset, but we never truly learn as a species.

Canada is a small bubble of humanity.

We are a people with bigger ears than mouths.  We are people with bigger hearts than testicles. We are people with bigger souls than muscles. We are leaders in understanding diversity, equity, equality, inclusiveness, and rectification. With all of the turmoil, the bad examples, the rapid-fire media, the “me” syndrome, and the desire for predominance by self-absorbed leaders in this world, we must stand on guard for Canada.  We must maintain our values.  We must love and respect each other and all of the other vulnerable peoples on this planet.  We must make all days…..and nights a reflection of the best of Canada.  Be engaged.  Push for what is right. Be civil. Hug your neighbours.  Hug your children.  Hug your spouse. Hug people who are strangers. Laugh out loud.

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Reunited

I had an interesting and somewhat unusual weekend.

It was the approximately 50th anniversary reunion on my undergraduate class from the University of Saskatchewan. I had not seen or indeed heard from more than one or two of my former classmates over those 5 decades. I was inspired to attend given the likelihood that this might really be the last time we all see each other.

I flew in early on Friday, with another purpose in mind.  Since I was going to be in Saskatoon, I thought I would drive out to Humboldt and get a feeling for how people there are doing, now 2 1/2 months after the tragic deaths of over half of the Humboldt Bronchos Junior A hockey team members, including coaches, trainers, bus driver and players. The world has been moved by this loss of life, moved profoundly by the loss of so many young, innocent, emerging people. Although there has been immense support of all types offered to the survivors, their families and friends, the community of Humboldt and the province of Saskatchewan, there is still heavy grief and a sense of confusion as to why this accident occurred.  I, for one, have been moved.  I have not been able to go past the loss yet.  I have read and listened to many tributes, and observed many soulful actions by individuals, by organizations, by strangers, a worldwide response of thoughtfulness and emotion.  But I needed to go to Humboldt….

The drive out was beautifully peaceful. The weather was warm and sunny. The traffic light. The 75 minutes passed quickly. Soon I was at the outskirts of Humboldt, having seen various banners and signs along the road, Humboldt Strong. I was hungry and got some advice from the locals as to where the food was good……a little bistro near the main highway. And, the food was excellent…..a super sandwich and a glass of wine! Sated for sure……. I saw that they were selling T-shirts there in support of the Bronchos so I bought one for Oscar my grandson.  Then it was time to go the the Elgar Peterson Arena. It was impressive to see that the ice rink, a curling rink, an aquatics facility, and gymnasium were all part of a single complex, integrated with the Humboldt Collegiate Institute. A great concept that apparently pioneered in the city of Tisdale nearby. As I entered the arena foyer, there was a quietness there. Another couple, also apparently coming to pay their respects, also arrived about the same time……  There were numerous representations of the honour and sadness related to the team in statements, in signed banners, in a cross with all of the names of the Bronchos members who did not survive, a beautiful wooden and iron bench with their logo, and an artfully constructed eternal flame framed in iron and glass. There were books to sign…….I did…..thick books….. I was happy that the foyer was largely empty of people.  There was time to commune. I slowly left……I felt the town, I felt the people, it felt better.

There was a somewhat parallel sense at the class reunion when we registered on Friday, and had our visits to all of the U of S Huskies facilities and the new Physical Activity Centre on Saturday, and also had our banquet and program on Saturday evening.  We were among the survivors after 50 decades.  There were faculty and former trainees missing, some because of health, some because of personal circumstances, and some because they had passed away. There was a sense of pleasure that the 60-odd people who had come together had indeed survived and were well enough to join in celebration, in laughter, in sharing stories over meals and drinks. There had been losses of many of our most important early mentors, and only one of our former faculty were able to join us at the banquet, Dr Don Bailey.  He was still as sharp and funny as ever before.

I few of us golfed on Sunday morning…….a perfect day on the lovely Willows course. The interesting thing for me is that I had not known the other 5 golfers very well during our undergraduate experience, largely because we were in different years, just ahead or just behind.  It was like discovering a whole new set of golfing buddies.  Great fun for all!

Just now I am boarding the plane on route back to Vancouver. I am at peace.  I am going home to see my beautiful wife and family, my neighbourhood, and to relax. I have had quite a lot of travel this spring.  It is now time to be at home, on the ground.  May all of the living Bronchos heal, may all of my surviving classmates keep pushing forward in their mature years.  Love you all.

 

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Cate

Cate is a fine young woman.  Cate is a person of amazing depth.  Cate is a person who cares about the Earth.  She cares about humanity.  She is a person who started life with a long incubation……Janet was 3 weeks overdue. She started with great vim and vigour.  She became an avid reader and writer. She always had a great smile and it seemed to grow with her years. Cate sought out learning opportunities throughout the community, at UBC and elsewhere. She sought truth and clarity about a complex world.  She is now on a mission to understand the depth of our world, our very existence, and the source of comfort that comes with personal insight and appreciation for the scope of our journey, from many, many centuries earlier to the emergent future. I love Cate.  She is my youngest daughter.

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Full Moon, Full Flight

I have been thinking about our stratosphere and outer space lately.

When I flew out of Palm Springs on the way home to Vancouver at the beginning of April, it was very thought provoking to gaze out the window of our early morning silver bird. There was a near full moon, the sky was dark to the west, and beginning to glow orange to the east. The San Jacinto range was beginning to weakly glow with the early sunbeams reaching the rock. The Little San Bernadino range was still in the shadows, still sleepy and grey. Mission Hills was sleepy too! Not too far north we passed San Gorgonio Mountain and a lovely little town with ski trails standing out white against the somewhat treed terrain.  A nice lake filled out the picture on that range.  We quietly pushed further north and would soon begin to see the coastal clouds, hanging like a shroud, waiting for breezes, waiting for the sunlight, keeping the landscape below cozy until dawn. These clouds would part as we reached the verdant hills south of San Francisco.  And, interestingly, as I watched our course to the airport, the near full moon was still watching us.  It is the great thing about space and distance…….we never really move far enough to lose contact with the moon, especially in the same time zone.

Other thoughts that rambled around my head that morning were related to the astonishing thing we call man-made flight.

Birds have shown the way. They are the really athletes in this medium called air.  But humans are good mimickers and have learned to emulate with considerable ease. Whether one looks back on the mythology of Icarus soaring too close to the sun, or to a nearer point in time when the extraordinary brilliance of Leonardo da Vinci imagined flying machines, it is still pretty exciting to pause on the word flight. From Orville and Wilbur, to the great inventors of the big air balloons, to the cataclysm of the Hindenburg, to the origination of rockets, and satellites, we have progressed in our efforts to tug on gravity and literally “reach for the stars”.  We have, like Stephen Hawking advised, looked upward and outward, to a place we little know, to outer and deep space.  We managed unbelievable feats to get to the moon and back, and to now reach for Mars.  We have sent probes to deep, deep space.  Astronomy and astrophysics have never been so compelling. We are not completely up to the level of the Jedi and hyperspace, but we have the right idea. Our little place in our galaxy and in the almost dimensionless depths of the universe, or even parallel universes, challenges the senses of we Earthlings. We are lucky to know just how much is left to know, far beyond a near full moon.

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Perspective

Today is Earth Day 2018.

A day to remember that the planet on which we live is in a delicate balance with humans and all other creatures, plants and geo-oceano-atmospheric constituents and activities. It is often a day when, if we have any conscience, we worry about our pollutant behaviours, our excesses in reaping natural resources, and the overall fragility of our micro- and macro-ecosystems. It is also a day to observe the beauty in the natural world around us, to be grateful for what millions of years created for us, and to reflect on the moments in time that we occupy as a human species on a single planet in many galaxies. It is certainly a day when one is humbled by the very complexity of balance that underpins our good fortune on a spinning globe in a special zone where carbon, oxygen, temperature and atmosphere provide us with a place to feel comfortable. The creativity of humans and other adaptive species of animals and plants in this space and time is utterly amazing.  Much has been accomplished in a stuttering fashion over thousands of years by our species alone.

The risk has always been our hubris.

Our penchant for more, for excess, for here-and now thinking. Just how long we can maintain the ecosystem that includes diversity of wildlife, stability of climate and the very survival of our world’s livability is unclear. I often wonder whether we can outlive the sun or live to see our sun fail.  What will the Earth be like if we get that far? How will we support the steady growth of populations that harvest too much, waste too much, and care too little about the future? No one person can change this situation.  No one government or not-for-profit agency…… If we do not consume ourselves in the failings of war and competition, we could aspire to a long-lived planetary environment that is healthy for most.  We have a lot of work do to for each other. May we find the path while still creating and innovating with the great spirit of free will.

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Brock and Brooke and Bernstein and Bountiful

Hi blog!  It has been a little while since I lengthened you with a few thoughts.

I hope you have been fine in my absence. A few interesting things have transpired that make the heart fly.

Last week, Alan Bernstein visited our community as the 2017 Friesen Prize Laureate.  Among the activities Alan participated in, there were a couple of trainee roundtable sessions.  I organized the one at St Paul’s Hospital site. It included 14 trainees from all over the city, from a range of scientific disciplines, who were of a full spectrum of ethnic groups, states of health and genders. They gave glorious short presentations and provide great discussion with Alan in each instance.  It is the kind of session that makes one know that the world will go forward just fine when these young people have a chance to fully develop and lead.

The science trainees each have their own story – how they became a science trainee, what their life-journey has been, what their deepest aspirations, inspirations and anxieties might be. For sure they have learned, they have grown, they are on a bountiful path to excellence, one that will benefit them, science as a whole, and our society.

These trainees are not really different than two other young stars who were busily performing this week and weekend. Brooke Henderson was plying the brisk winds of the Bahamas at the first LPGA event of the year.  She pressed forward well, and was leading or tied fhe lead well into the final round.  A stumble here and there kept her from the winner’s circle, but not from another top 10 finish.  While she will not be happy with that finish, Brooke has so much to be thankful for and happy about.  She is a solid Canadian kid, just a kid because she is only 20 years of age. She has a great family, mother, father, sister! There is much love in that family.  There is much support.  Brooke has developed her natural talent on that backdrop. She has built a runway to excellence in golf and life based on the supports around her and her own growing depth of character. She will do well this year.  The year will be bountiful, and she will magnetize many young children to the game of golf, and especially to being grateful and decent.

Then there is Brock! This weekend, Brock Boeser came to the NHL All Star festivities as a rookie….another 20 year-old, a rookie in the best ice hockey league in the world. He came with his family from a little town in Minnesota to the glitz and glamour of Tampa Bay and Amalie Arena. He then proceeded to outshine many other stars.  He dramatically won the shooting accuracy competition, indeed breaking one of the electronic targets with his heavy wrist shot.  This win alone just blew observers away.  So much so, that stars like Sidney Crosby made a specific point of going over right away to introduce himself to Brock and have a chat.  This happened over and over throughout the two day event. When the semi-final games were played on Sunday, Brock continue to shine.  He scored the winning goal on a beautiful shot to the right upper corner of the net, and then provided a goal and assist in the final game. He did all of his with incredible humility and quiet presence. When the voting for the MVP of the event was finished, the winner was Brock Boeser by a large margin.  He humbly skated up to receive this recognition.  Apart from the financial bonuses and the car Brock receives because of these achievements, it is most exciting and fulfilling to know that his young man from rural Minnesota, who has lost several family members and friends in recent years can achieve what he does without fanfare and hubris.  He is bountiful, but also beautiful.

May we always reach for the beauty of trainees, of developing scientists and athletes, in a way that emphasizes the paramount importance of “goodness”, of humanity.