2026 is Officially Here!
Jan 8th/26
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When in our prime, for me it was during the 1970’s and 80’s. We were too busy to look very far into the future. For Joan and I, we were always concerned for our boys and how, with their handicap, would they fare in this ever-changing world. Always in our minds was the responsibility of teaching them that they needed to be especially aware of the world around them and how cruel it can be to those that do not conform to the norm. Our little family was far from being normal.
Milton was a sleepy little town much like Brampton in the 1940’s. Both are now metropolitan cities that are no comparison to what my memories were of them. We were settled into a large 5-bedroom home on the main street of Milton. We had a two-story brick stable in our backyard that we converted into 4 apartments. Joan contented herself with the gardens and the business expenses as well as collecting 6 rent cheques and the management of the properties. The boys were settled into their residential school for the deaf just blocks away from us. It seemed a bit extreme to be just two of us in this rambling old house but the future would see the boys at home with us as they got a bit older. My agency business was growing and the harder I worked, the more money I made. A stark contrast from General Steel Wares days in Sudbury. We were recovered from the pain of near bankruptcy in 1963 due to my near-death experience of a terrible car accident where I was the target of an out of control tanker and a gravel truck in a head on collision. A law suit was not possible so my body pain and suffering is still bringing me many sleepless nights 64 years later. This year I will be 90, two grandsons will be 30 years old, Michael and Richard have been retired a few years now and Joan and I entered our first of many retirements 40 years ago. We have fared pretty well considering the many heart breaks and disappointments but it has not been easy when you are, for a good deal of your lives the “outsiders”. Our boys have been shunned as if deafness was a contagious disease. Covid separated us from some family and many friends as we took a very different approach and rejected the BIG Pharmacy demands on society and the medical community. We never considered ourselves as being a part of the high society rich, but thankfully we did live the part in many ways. Our life was like a heart monitor going constantly from the highs to the lows. But, as one door closed in our lives, magically another was opened for our curiosity to be fulfilled. Most of our old friends are gone to a better place. We have made some new friends but at our age, we mostly have to depend on family when we get into trouble. My mind is always looking for that next adventure. Sadly, that is just another memory we can go to when in need of some comfort. Joan’s memory is fading but she is reading my books and that helps a lot when I will ask, remember honey when we were there? Or do you remember that incident?
I am not sure if anything would change had we known we were going to live this long. Our lives have been as full as one could ask with all of my Bucket lists achieved, some many times over. We have done all the travelling we could have wished for and done while we were still in good health. Many wait for both mates to retire before getting into the full retirement mode. Often that is asking fate for a little too much. Our Sony TV has just given up the ghost after over 15 years of wonderful service. Uncharacteristically, I just picked up the phone and within 24 hours had a new one ready for someone else to install. I am not expecting the new one to perform as well. I will not be disappointed. As the young salesman wisely stated “You will be watching a lot more TV now you can’t do so many other things, why not have the best?”
One of my biggest beefs with my fellow man is the fixation on the weather. A few years ago we were put into a panic that the world was freezing over. If anything, the scientists of the day were predicting a global warming and in 10 years Florida would be virtually under water. All the Coral reefs of the world were shrinking and dyeing because of the warming of the oceans. Coral thrives in warm waters so that theory was quietly shoved under the proverbial rug, never to be heard again. Heat and cold were both proved to be false news. Who in their right mind will argue and challenge “CLIMATE CHANGE?” Not me! Since man has had the ability to look into the sky and observe rain, snow, sun and moon, wind and gentle breezes. The climate changes all the time. Billions$ have been raised to feed the egos of a few that have had the ability to frighten others to give money to change what only God can do. (control the weather) Claims have been made that this is possible. Don’t poke that stick too often or you just might get a poke back. I have personally experienced many Hurricanes in Florida and Hazel in Ontario. I have been in the middle of a Typhoon in Hong Kong, both of these storms cause water surges. Tropical storms and Tornadoes in Georgia and Ontario and Water spouts in Florida and on Lake Simcoe. Sheer winds of 175 miles an hour that took down over 100 mature trees on our property in Kirkfield. Record rainfall and blizzard snow storms. When you are in the middle of one of these works of nature, you understand who is in control, and it is not the Bill Gates of this world.
Let’s all take this next year to reflect on all our many gifts we have been blessed with. Today is the first day of the rest of your life.
Paul D. Scott rantingsandraves.com
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