Monday, March 2nd, 2009

Norwood, Ontario

En-route back home from Ottawa, Surya, the monk who drove me to and from stopped for another needed doze to break up the five hour drive. At Norwood, a town of population 1300, there is a large house which Surya and I was trying to find. In it dwells one of the largest Krishna families on earth. Unfortunately, I couldn’t locate the home of the McAllister’s who represent 1% of the town’s population. One of the McAllister girls, Vraja, one of twelve kids told me that technically, her mother was pregnant for 108 months or 9 years.

What I have to say about this family is that here is the most incredible progeny. Smiling faces like you have never seen. I have always appreciated this clan and I’m sorry to miss them now.

I braved a four kilometer walk on Hwy 7, a major achievement since the catfish encounter. This is God’s grace.

While walking (with a limp), I dwelt on the topic of appreciation or more so on the lack of it. On the previous night, I read some short historical facts article in a local Ottawa paper. The capital city of Canada, Ottawa was founded by Lieutenant- Colonel John By. He was responsible for building a carving of a 202 kilometer canal through wilderness of rough bush, swamps and rock terrain. The canal was hatched after the War with the Americans in 1812 and was to be the safe supply route from Montreal to Kingston, avoiding the St. Lawrence River, a vulnerable route. 50 dams were built and 47 locks constructed.

Colonel By was highly appreciated for this major engineering feat. (Remember there was no high tech around that time.) When he returned, to his native England, instead of receiving knighthood British authorities blasted him for some over expenditure. In 1836 at 53 he died, a broken man with his character smeared by the press. He spent his last years trying to clear his name. It was sad to read about a man who had given his blood and was not appreciated for his services.

It is a fact that man can be colder than an iceberg and emit more venom than a serpent.

Certainly anyone who cultivates spiritual life demonstrates signs of encouragement or praise for others. Appreciation is the mark of maturity.

4 km