The New Year–2026

We open the puzzle box to check if this is an enigma.

Will we enjoy putting  the pieces together;

Or will we wish we had not started?

The box, besides the puzzle pieces, contains a picture;

A picture that should give us good directions, and

Make a difficult puzzle a straightforward task.

We work at the border first–we want to know 

The parameters within which to work.

Confidently, we work on the rest of the puzzle;

Looking at the picture as we forge ahead,

Confident that, if we follow the map 

We will accomplish the expected result.

As we move along, we begin to wonder,

What is happening, and why so many

Unexpected pieces that do not seem to fit!

Frustration sets in–we do not find any 

Matching pieces, but find a lot of others.

This really is a perplexity!

We realize that the picture shown,

Although revealing parts that are accurate,

Does not show us what we had visualized.

We stop for a period of peace and reflection.

What a conundrum;We want to finish the puzzle,

But the result will be different than expected.

This brings me to 2026.

How will the imagined picture develop,

And how different will the year end be?

Gratitude in the Midst of a Blue Christmas

Gratitude comes from the glad tidings brought by the Angels

But now the angels are long gone; now what?

I have been somewhat overwhelmed this Christmas by the many losses I have experienced in the past while. What do I say when friends ask if I’m going “home” for the Christmas season? Where is “Home”?

My parents are gone; my  siblings, except one in palliative care, are gone; my children have other places to be.  A number of years ago, my wife passed away, bringing more overwhelming loss. Nothing seems good, except the knowledge that this truly is a Blue Christmas.

When will the angels sing for me; when will they bring joy and peace to my heart?

But then, as I open myself to the love and gratitude brought by those around me, I realize that I have much to be thankful for. Not too long after Susan died, my daughter, SuAnn, suggested I have coffee with a dear friend of theirs who also was grieving a loss, that of her husband. Mary became a wonderful listener as she helped me process my grief. As love would have it, she helped me overcome my deep sorrow; and soon we expressed a deep love for each other. Now as my wife, she continues to bring cheer and joy into our lives. What a gift!  I am continually grateful for her and her influence on my life.              

My children show love by inviting us to their family dinner. They call; they text; they send emails just to make sure I am alright. How much more can a father ask? The grandchildren also chat to see how things are going; then they hug tightly, expressing a deep love for their grandfather. As I think of family I realize that children and grandchildren often go out of their way to bring joy into our relationship. Again, my heart is filled with gratitude.

My family and friends know how much I enjoy going out for a cup of coffee!  They call, or I call, and often the response is a resounding “yes” to a suggestion to head to a coffee shop nearby. Even Mary, who does not drink coffee, has made my day when she agrees to go to a Tims close at hand. What more can I ask? When I ponder these things, I cannot help but appreciate the fact that these friends and family are “angels” bringing joy and peace. 

I am truly grateful for these many expressions of love and closeness. My heart is full of gratitude; how can I not be moved by the love I feel from all around?

Yes, the angels are gone;

But their messages of glad tidings

Stay with us; with me,

As I meditate on what God has done.

The love expressed by God

As Christ came into this world

Not to redeem a select few, 

But to bring love and gratitude

Into our everyday lives.

The angels are gone 

But the glad tidings they brought

Are in us as we open our hearts

And accept with gratitude

The love shown by those around.

The family phone calls; the check-ups,

Questioning my physical and mental health.

These all make life a joyous feeling 

Of  glad tidings filled with overwhelming love.

The angels are gone, but we celebrate

The love they showered on the world.

I now know that angels are 

All around to lift our spirits.

The blue Christmas is swallowed up

By the overwhelming joy and love 

Of angels and people everywhere.

Thank you angels, for lifting our spirits.

And thank you friends and family for the lift you bring.

This is the Christmas season, a time when we exchange gifts, but more than that, we exchange joy and love and peace. Even if family is far away, or near at hand, the message of the angels still rings within our hearts and minds. The close ones give us hugs; the far ones send their love via Zoom or other electronic means. A feeling of gratitude and joy permeates the places where we live. The expressions of love warm our hearts. 

The feeling of joy far outweighs the feeling of being blue. Yes, the angels may not be here physically, but the words of the angels ring loudly as we celebrate the coming of God Incarnate. Thanks be to God for bringing this precious message of gladness and joy.

GilbertG  25-12-26/27

 My Dad's Personality and Our Interactions

My Dad did not show approval very easily. He was a rather somber man who expected the best from his students (he taught for over 30 years) and from anyone connected to him. He definitely expected the best from each of his children, and his approving smile or words were rare. There were a few occasions in which he could not control himself and allowed the circumstances to move him.

Let me describe one such incident. We had recently moved to Clearbook (now Abbotsford), BC to live with my grandfather (my mother’s dad) who was almost totally blind from diabetes. He was a wonderful man, but I digress.

A Wink Shows Humor

Because my grandfather did not have a car—I don’t think he ever had a car—there was no garage on the yard. Grandpa had built a nice shed for firewood, tools etc. but not for a car. We had a car and Dad thought we needed a garage. Soon we poured concrete, built walls and rafters. Then it was time to shingle the roof. Because Dad did not like to spend extra money, he purchased several asphalt rolls to cover the roof boards. Dad and I were up on the roof, my brother was on a small ladder seeking to push the roll onto the roof and also spread the roofing all at the same time. Bernie was having a horrible time because the roll kept slipping down.

The situation was actually quite humorous but our stoic dad would not crack a smile. Then, because the humor got to me, and my brother was getting more and more frustrated, my Dad could not resist—he turned to me and gave me the biggest wink anyone had ever seen. Nothing else, just a wink. I knew then that he had a sense of humor, no matter how far inside he had hidden it!  

 Using Dad’s Car

We moved to Clearbrook in the spring of 1957. Two things bothered me about that move. One: I had not been able to get my driver’s license before we moved, and two: I really wanted to finish my high school in Chilliwack, not elsewhere. But move we did, and I tried to make the best of it. I knew this move was to help my grandfather ijn his final years of life.

During the first year of living in Clearbrook, I managed to get my license. I did not have a car, but was able to use Dad’s. Dad thought that cars were utilitarian. His vehicles were often new cars, but with no features that might enhance any driving experience. To put it bluntly, Dad’s cars were the plainest on any lot! However, they got a person from point A to point B—an important reality for a teen!

The other thing that made my situation unique was that my Dad rarely used the currently owned car. In fact it got to the point where Dad would check with me to see if he could use the car. What a wonderful situation for me. Dad took care of all maintenance and kept the gas tank filled. We never really talked about this arrangement. It just sort of happened. I was privileged. Access to the vehicle meant that I could go out any time.

My Dad was not the most open person, but he did small things for his family without declaring himself a hero. This use of the car was a much bigger contribution than what we would have expected. I was the grateful recipient of this largesse from our Dad.

Music was Dad''s Forte and He Always had High Expectations

Dad taught music and directed choirs most of his life. Therefore Dad wanted his children to show the same perfection as he expected from all his music students and choir members. 

Many years after I left home and lived in the Los Angeles area. My wife and I felt good about our work and about our church involvements. I had even been chosen to lead the choir in our small church in San Fernando Valley. For Easter, we decided to work on a cantata. We knew it would mean hard work, but the choir members were excited at the possibilities. Because of our size, and because we really had few soloists, we carefully worked through the music and changed a number of solos to spoken words. Easter came and the choir felt ready to present this Easter cantata. 

It so happened that my parents came down for a visit at this time, and were ready to come to our church for the Easter service. After the service we talked about the church and the area  in which the church was situated. Dad seemed keenly interested in the area and how we might attract more people from the community. I wondered how he had felt about the music, and the choir's performance. Finally |I asked him what he had thought. For some reason he answered in Low German, "daut jinch" which when loosely translated meant, "It went."

This was one time when I wished Dad could have been more affirming. I knew I was not a polished director, but a positive comment would have made my day. Now, some sixty years later, I realize that Dad was giving me a compliment. He knew it had not been the best performance, but by saying what he did, Dad gave the highest praise that he could without going against his knowledge and experience. Yes, my Dad demanded the best from each of us, and when he thought the task had not been performed to his standards, he had a very difficult time giving a positive response. I realize this today. Unconsciously, I have always set up the standards of my Dad and wondered how he would grade my work. Dad had high standards; he wanted us to reach those high goals.

 

WHO WILL WRITE THE FAMILY STORY?

I recently realized that our family story has dropped into my lap. My family is large–I am the youngest of twelve!  Now I have only one sister still living, in a palliative care home, suffering from lung cancer. Thankfully she is still alert, but has little energy to work at family stories.Therefore, the burden,or joy, of our family story now rests in my court.

What does this mean? Do I now make sure the family genealogy and history is kept up to date? Or maybe I am the one various family members check with to gain advice? Or will I be included in the exciting news when the younger generation gets married, or when a newborn enters a family?   

What responsibility does the last surviving family member have as this relates to the many other children and/or grandchildren? Who else is able to keep the family history alive and of interest to the young? At this point, I am the only uncle on the Brandt side of things. How can I, as the youngster within my sibling brood, show others that I care about their lives and wish for them to enjoy other family members. I am not the proverbial “rich uncle” who flies in to aid in any family crisis. But, I am the “concerned” uncle who is interested in the joys, sorrows and pains of each member of our family. 

Not only am I concerned, but to whom do I go if further wisdom is sought? I might be able to ask some of my generation, but the siblings involved in a story, no longer are able to provide any wisdom on a subject of concern. I am left alone. The decisions are mine to make. Certainly, I have the wisdom of my siblings and previous generations to assist in telling the Brandt family story. However, I am no longer a young man, so  I need to make sure the next generation picks up the baton. If no one answers this call, our story will be lost.

However, in today’s individualistic society, would this be called interference? I hope not! Family stories and genealogies are often the domain of the older segment of society. I can accept that generalization, because I fit that as well. When I was younger, as a teen or as a middle-aged person, I was indifferent. But now, if I do not learn about  the generations that stem from the Brandts, who will capture this information once all of my generation are gone?

A niece has taken on much of this challenge. I am thankful for her interest and investigation. I am also grateful for a granddaughter that is showing some interest. As the last of my generation, I am thrilled if someone from a younger generation wishes to take the family story and continue its run. Stories from our past need to be told. My recollections may be skewed, but they are the  best we have, going forward.  My siblings have, over the years, written down some of the Brandt stories. I think my task is to collect these anecdotes so that these stories make sense to a younger generation. What a richness for us to read, and to experience vicariously the joys and frustrations of past generations. 

My own time may be short. How best do I relay our story to the generation below me? My own reading of snippets from siblings and seeking to piece these together to make a full story seems to be the way forward. May God give the wisdom to discern what may be discarded and what needs to be brought forward to the next generation.. 

I wonder, am I the only one who feels the burden of the family story? Do other families struggle with the same? A strong suggestion from me is that families need to gather their stories before most siblings are gone. Do not wait until grandchildren ask where is our family history, and no one is prepared to answer that call! 

 

THE BALANCE OF THE EQUINOX

The equinox comes twice a year

To balance light and dark.

We have the light for as long

As we have the dark.

How do we balance this

In our busy, scattered lives?

Strange, but the equinox 

Merely comes, without any rush

And without any fidgeting to make it happen.

The equinox is set to come

Twice a year—in spring and in fall–  

Without loud cymbals or trumpet blasts. 

Are we open and ready for what  changes  it may bring?

What would happen if we followed

The pattern set for us?

Could we, twice a year set our

Minds to openness that gives us hope?

To leave all rushing aside to let the equinox

Pour a quietness over us?

Like paint, without fanfare, is poured out

Until all is changed and made new,

The equinox brings equality to our universe;

It brings pause for thought and contemplation.

The dark and light; the grief and joy.

Are these emotional markers that push us 

To check the balance in our lives?

The Preacher of old saw this equilibrium 

And noted that there is a time for everything;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance.

A special time for bringing balance into our lives

GilbertG 2025-09-20

 THE SUMMER OF FAMILY WEDDINGS 

This summer we attended three different weddings, each one included a grandchild. What a time of joy and celebration. But, let me share some thoughts about each wedding, and how each one impacted us.

Wedding #1

The first wedding, in Saskatoon, was in a church, and all attendees were invited to the ceremony but not to the formal dinner. The couple walked in joyfully, with the bride giving a nervous laugh, which brought laughter to the audience and a few tears to the bride’s grandma.

There was a genuine sense of joy and love as the couple stood for their vows. The officiant spoke some words of wisdom for a fulfilled married life. After the couple and attendants had left, announcements were made which also included an invitation for all to join the couple in a receiving line. Then, all attendees were ushered into the dining area for some light refreshments. 

After the conversations had died down, and people were beginning to leave the bridal couple and family members went outside for some picture-taking. A few pictures were taken at the church, but then the family drove to a park area for more formal photos.

Those invited to the dinner soon left for the art gallery. Here all were served a delicious meal, and then were given the opportunity  to dance, play board games or do puzzles. A number  danced, others played games, but it seemed that the majority of guests sat and visited. 

The following morning, the immediate family gathered for a wonderful waffle brunch. Here the couple opened gifts.

Wedding #2

In preparation for the wedding, a rehearsal was held at the bride’s home. Because the actual venue was not available, the lawn became the rehearsal location. Once the participants were satisfied, and felt prepared for the next day, everyone enjoyed a dinner of tacos with all the trimmings.

This second family wedding took place near Niagara, in a beautiful park, Plans had been made for an outdoor wedding, and this place certainly lent itself to a beautiful scene. However,because  some rain  was forecast, the couple had made alternate plans. We were aware that the first choice, by far, was to have the ceremony outdoors.

Not too long before the wedding was to start, a shower hit that area. The technicians, not wanting any sound equipment to get wet, quickly moved everything into a beautiful, old, chapel. The photographer had managed to find some sun-drenched areas for individual and  group photos. 

The clouds looked ominous, and just  before the wedding was to start, the rain came, making it impossible to remain outdoors. A few minutes before the start of the ceremony, the rain came in a heavy downpour. All the guests, who had been joying the outdoors, rushed to the chapel, grabbing umbrellas along the way. 

The chapel, although a second choice, made a beautiful setting for the ceremony. The attendants and bridal couple walked up and stood on a small platform. The officiant spoke some words from scripture prior to the exchanging of vows.After the vows were exchanged, the couple, with attendants, joyfully marched out into the rain. Several announcements were made and the guests then hurried out to the barn.

The reception dinner was in a barn right next door. The couple and attendants ran to the barn to find their seats. After this all the guests followed into the barn, which had been redone into a beautiful wedding venue. Once there, the guests looked for their designated places at the dinner tables.Each person received a small jar of peach jam, prepared by the bridal couple. Conversations were muted but joyful. After the dinner, all were invited to join a caller for various dances. Many participated enthusiastically. Eventually all went home, full of joy for the newlyweds.

Just as in the first wedding, the immediate family came together the following morning to enjoy a brunch including waffles and fresh Ontario peaches. Everyone stayed as the couple opened wedding gifts.

Wedding #3

The third wedding took place near Anola, MB, on a mostly wooded farm. The plan was to have the entire ceremony outdoors, with chairs provided for the guests. The ceremony started about thirty minutes late, but was beautiful, with the attendants and couple walking down a grass path, fighting a strong north wind, to an archway in front. This walking path had poles with flowers as an outline along the edge. 

The weather did not cooperate, and stayed rather cold and windy during the entire afternoon. The bride and her attendants stood in the shivery cold throughout the ceremony. The men wore jackets or vests and managed to stay somewhat warmer.

The officiant gave some words of encouragement and love, and then asked the couple to exchange vows. The couple had prepared their vows, but found it difficult to finish their statements, because of the cold wind, and because of their nervousness. Nervous laughter surrounded the declaration of vows. Shortly after this the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, and the couple joyously ran back along the path, followed by the attendants.

The immediate families were asked to congregate at a certain spot for some photos. After that, the couple and attendants moved off for some formal photos. Many of the guests found jackets and other warm clothing in order to remain somewhat warm. The north wind would not cooperate, but just kept blowing, which made all the guests very uncomfortable. During this time of picture-taking the guests could mingle or sit at their designated tables.Watermelon and Rollkuchen were made during this time, which brought joy to many. 

Once the photo-shoot was finished, the couple went into the pole barn where a dance floor had been built. The traditional first dance  by the couple happened and then the bride and her mother danced, and then we had the grand entrance of the couple just prior to the taco dinner.

The MCs for the dinner highlighted several announcements, said grace for the meal and provided some entertainment during the dinner. After dinner, we, and several other guests, left for home because the cold had penetrated our clothes and all were shivering.

We understand that there was open dancing, some comments from family, and general joy that this young couple was ready to enter a life-long commitment to each other.

The next morning, the families connected to the bridal couple, gathered at the wedding site and cleaned the area. After the cleanup, all participated in a brunch consisting of fruit and tacos. The newlyweds came somewhat later, and spent some time chatting with each one there.

Some takeaways and reflections 

1. All three weddings had women officiants, which has been rare in the past.

2. All three sought to have God as a vital part of the couple’s lives.

3. Of the three weddings, only one was in a church, and there the whole church family was invited; one was in a chapel, by invitation only; and one, outdoors, was also by invitation only for family and close friends.

4. Inviting the entire church family is rather a neat thing to do, although this means more  work and more advance planning.

5. Careful advance planning is essential for a smooth-running wedding. This includes formulating a “plan B” if “plan A” is for an outdoor wedding. The second family  wedding would have been disastrous if the planner had not anticipated rainfall. The third wedding was all outdoors, with no plan for weather protection. This meant that the guests and those involved in the ceremony had to fight against the rain and wind.

6. Whether a wedding is in a church, out in nature or in an old chapel, matters nothing if the direction of the couple is pointing to God. 

7. We thought the participation of the church body was great. It seemed to indicate to the bridal couple that the congregation supported them, both at the wedding and in later connections.

8. Although each wedding had a distinct flavour, we enjoyed each. The personalities of each couple came through, whether in the preparations, or in the ceremony itself. We are so glad that each couple had the freedom to show this; no longer are weddings set up to follow a predictable pattern.

9. What joy was expressed at each wedding. But we sensed that this joy went much deeper than the excitement of the moment.

10. We are now left with the question. How can we best support each couple as they begin an entirely new chapter in their lives? How will this marital joy show itself in the coming months and years?

 

GRIEF AND JOY MIXED TOGETHER

 

“There’s a season for everything

And a time for every matter under the heaven:

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn and a time to dance.”

Thus spoke the Teacher in Ecclesiastes.

But what if grief and joy come mixed together?

 

Grief comes with sudden attacks

A child, taken in its tender years

An adult, in the prime of life,

Suddenly taken by an accident,

Or by an attack within the body.

Such grief is hard and leaves

A mark on one’s psyche;

A mark that comes with sudden attack,

But a mark that stays for

Unmeasured days or maybe years.

 

Joy and celebration often come slowly.

A birthday celebrating one hundred years

Will bring smiles and well wishes

From family and friends.

A special joy is felt when someone

Says, “We’re getting married.”

Such joy exceeds most thoughts of love

For when two people want to spend

A lifetime together, we joyously celebrate

With smiles on each one’s face.

 

We celebrate the one who now

Has attained one hundred years,.

But then the body says “I’m done.”

The memorial brings some sadness,

But mostly joy for a life well lived.

We dry whatever tears have flowed

And comfort one another with

Thoughts of goodness about the one who died.

We sorrow that a loved one is gone,

But know the one has lived a full and joyous life.

 

Then suddenly we note a young child

Has died so unexpectedly.

We are shocked with sudden grief

And all seems senseless and dark.

What can we do? Our mind and body

Seemingly stand still, frozen with grief.

Again, we hear that awful news,

A man, just past his prime,

But so full of life and joyous adventures,

Alive one day, but gone the next.

 

A child is born, bringing exciting joy to parents

But wait, the infant child can hardly breathe.

Exciting joy, but now wrapped up in grief

As the infant breathes its last.

With such grief in our hearts,

How are we able to express joy?

As we wish the young couple much joy

And excitement for a life of married wonder.

 

Our hearts are heavy with grief

But also full of joy.

How can this be? How do we keep a balance

As both extremes happen simultaneously?

 One hand is overfull with grief

The other filled with overflowing joy.