The first thing I do on Mondays is TIDY my office. I don't know how so much JUNK gets into my space. But, it's also papers that I haven't had time to file, or projects that I'm working on.
Today's been sad for me. The fellow who shoveled our walkways, Chris Bowles, died on Jan. 20. I can't quite believe that quiet, intelligent, white-haired Chris is gone. He has a bit of history with GSJ, most of which I don't know, but he was always proud that his family were some of the first parishioners at Dominion United Church, now part of Dominion-Chalmers United Church.
Last fall, he needed a particular kind of shovel and so he arranged with Don Yeomans to go to Canadian Tire and get the shovel. He was very diligent and was concerned about our accessible walkway because it was often covered with ice.
I would see Chris walking down the street. He was usually alone. He knew quite a bit about the history of Ottawa and I think he had a lot to offer. I didn't find out that he had died until Jan. 30 and I feel distressed about that. I wish that we could have been there for him in his final days. Perhaps it's because he has a small family and they didn't realize the connection to the church. Rest in peace, Chris. We'll miss your gentle presence around the church.
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