Seasons of Purpose by Bob Jones

The prompt for August is: Write about a season you are currently experiencing or have experienced. How did it affect your writing life?

Depending on where you live, the seasons in Canada will be shorter or longer, harsh or gentle or unique to the area’s character. In Edmonton we have two seasons: winter and construction. I imagined that was a westerner’s sense of humour until our family of four moved to Edmonton thirty-five years ago. That’s how I now describe our seasons. In eighteen months from now, Alberta will be the place I have lived more than half my life. I feel like an Albertan. Growing up in Ontario, I never paid my province of birth any mind. I was Canadian. Still am. Forever Canadian.

Politics and Hockey 

Alberta is an interesting place to live and write about. It feels like we are either under construction by the latest government misplay, or we are in winter in June, cheering on McDavid and the Oilers and feeling sorry for the Flames. I would write about politics, or politicians but everyone takes their politics very seriously in Alberta, almost as seriously as they take their hockey.

Edmonton bleeds copper and blue or orange. And there was a lot of blood the last two years in the Stanley Cup finals. 

Ukraine

At this time in my writing life, all things Ukraine are in season. 

 

It’s embarrassing to admit that I thought the war with Russia started on February 24, 2022. Sadly, this was the beginning of my education in Ukrainian history. The Russian invasion of Crimea and the eastern regions of the country in 2014 was the start of the war. How was I oblivious to that for eight years? I know Ukrainians. I pastored Ukrainians. I was invited to go to Ukraine on missions trips numerous times. None of that clicked with me. I must have been focused on Alberta politics and hockey. 

 

Now, three humanitarian trips to Ukraine in 18 months doesn’t feel enough.

Jocelyn came with me on a seven-week trip in June and July. The trip coincided with Russia’s change of tactics. June set the record for drone attacks and July exceeded it. There is no safe place in Ukraine. 

 

People were impressed that Jocelyn was eager to deliver food further towards Russia than any Canadian woman since 2022. And she did it with a smile. Our friends assured us that just being with people in the war was 90% of the benefit of us going. “People send their prayers and promises to come after the war but having someone leave a peaceful country in the summer and come to us is a priceless gift. Thank you.” The pleasure and privilege were all ours. It hardly seems enough.

Purposeful Writing 

I recently sat with a political science professor from one of our Canadian Universities. He’s a bit younger than me. His heritage is Czech where two generations of his family suffered as anti-communists. He resonates with what Ukraine is going through. We talked about how, at our ages, using our skill and experience to draw attention to the injustices against Ukraine is highly purposeful. Ukrainians are engaged in the largest and most deadly war in Europe in 80 years. 

 

There has never been a more needed moment in my lifetime for advocacy than now. I am Canadian. Canadians stand up and fight together for the freedom of others.

 

I am in a season of writing about children, churches, the trauma of war, Canadian generosity, and faith in Ukraine.

Thank you for reading. There is more at REVwords.com

Tracy Krauss - A Nation Inspired

Inspiration can come from many places and in many forms. Sometimes it is a mere sense of well being; an inner nudge that you tuck away and ruminate on later in the day. Sometimes it is an explosion that must be satisfied immediately through a frenzy of creative activity. Beyond the usual scope of beauty in our surroundings, I believe that patriotism, national pride, and even fervor for a favorite team can spark the inspirational muse.

Right now we have an interesting situation in Canada that is sparking just this kind of fervor and pride. Of course, you all know what I'm talking about. The Vancouver Canucks are in a final show down for the Stanley Cup Finals against the Boston Bruins. The fact that game seven is TONIGHT has not been an optimal situation for Vancouver fans, but even if you don't normally like hockey, you'd have to be a hermit to not take at least a smidgen of interest in tonight's outcome.

Like it or not, we do take a certain collective pride in our national sport here in Canada. Hockey is 'Our Game'. It was invented here and the majority of the elite players in the NHL still come from Canada, despite an influx of talented American and European players. Hockey permeates our culture. The ice rink is the hub of every community, from small towns to large centres. You don't have to be a fan to know that this is true. Hockey permeates our culture the way very few other things can ... even in June!

The swell of 'Canuck fever' is reminiscent of the pride that permeated our country during the Olympics just a little over a year ago. As Canadians, we have rarely felt the intensity of patriotism and pride in our nation as we did during those games. The crowning moment, of course, was winning the gold medal game in Men's Hockey. And now, here we are, back in Vancouver, waiting on the edge of our seats for this evenings spectacle to unfold.



Whatever the outcome, I'm proud to be part of this great nation we call home. And if it takes a hockey game or two to remind us, well, that's okay by me.

A sad postscript:  By now, I'm sure you are aware of the outcome of the game. Although disappointed at the Vancouver loss, no words can adequately describe the utter disgust I feel at the mob's shameful behavior afterward. What a horrible blight on such a beautiful city. I can't help but make the comparison between this scene and a similar 'mob mentality' in the Bible. Adoring fans cried 'Hosanna' in the street, yet days later their voices yelled, 'Crucify him!'. What darkness lies within the heart of man.  Perhaps this post would have been better titles "A Nation Disgraced".