Fairy Dust and Sliders

   

      

There are days when I must remind myself of all that is good in Toronto. This is difficult when it's ugly out there and evil lurks in unsuspected places, like The Danforth. All around me I hear cries for tougher gun control and increased funding for mental health, but I don't believe these things will change any time soon. And yet—in some small way—something has changed. Is it just my perception, or since the violence on The Danforth have we become more caring? It's as if someone is sprinkling fairy dust among us. Do you feel it? 

          I felt it in the gentle hand extended to me yesterday—on James’s moving day— by a woman and her young son who noticed I was carrying way too many things. They quickly stopped what they were doing. The son picked up my mop, the woman picked up my bucket and my bag of groceries and happily brought them to my car. I doubt I'll ever see those two people again, but their caring touch remains with me.

          Later, the two movers—who had just completed the back-breaking job and were about to drive off—noticed me pulling said mop, bucket and groceries out of my car. Did they drive off? No. They helped unload my car and then proceeded to carry the items into James's new building. Their kindness also remains with me.

Until handguns are banned, and additional money and resources are poured into mental health, I too must sprinkle fairy dust whenever and wherever I can.

          In the meantime, I need to get back to my manuscript, but between packing, cleaning and unpacking for James new digs, not enough writing has occurred. We’ve also been busy with James’s Special Olympics softball team, The Sliders. Their big tournament was Saturday in Etobicoke, everyone played with great teamwork. James had a homerun and the team won all three games. Yeah Sliders!

James at the tournament with his big brother John. Nice socks, James, bet you have another pair just like 'em!