Worth Losing Sleep Over

I just finished reading “The Circus Train “ by Canadian novelist, Amita Parikh. Her debut novel earned her instant recognition as Toronto Star’s pick as best historical fiction of 2022. “The Circus Train” is a captivating read that kept me up until midnight intent on finishing the last seventy-eight pages.

Not wanting to be a spoiler, I offer the following general comments hoping to spark your reading curiosity. “The Circus Train” introduces us to the daily workings of the travelling circus, World of Wonders, and the daily life of a circus troupe travelling through Europe in the 1930s and 40s on a specially converted steam train. As a sideline, the tale reveals polio therapy in its infancy.

The plot revolves around three main characters, Lena, Theo, and Alexandre. Lena Papadopoulos, the central character, is a young polio survivor. Theo, a renowned illusionist in the circus is the overprotective father of Lena. Alexandre is a young orphan runaway. Alexandre’s Jewish identity within the circus milieu is protected. With Theo’s encouragement, Alexandre becomes Lena’s best friend and supporter.

The story skillfully intertwines the threads of circus life, father-daughter relationships, war time dilemmas, bonds of friendship, secrets, and true forgiveness born of understanding.

I present to you a delightful reading experience!

-Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ

A Winter Snowstorm

Here is what people were saying a few weeks ago, “I guess we will have a green Christmas in 2023. “I don’t mind a little snow from time to time”. “Crops do better when the land has had a winter blanket of snow”.  “I am just glad I don’t have to shovel the stuff.  “These mild days point to climate change, for sure”.

What a surprise when a winter snowstorm rolled into Southwestern Ontario on January 12th.  People pulled on their winter coats and headed for refuge at home.

Darkness fell and a mixture of rain and snow pelted icy windows. I awoke after midnight to the sound of sirens rescuing people who refused to reduce speed.  Later, thumps and bumps signaled that snowplows were clearing roads and driveways. Indeed, it seemed to have the makings of an old-fashioned winter storm.

As I awoke in the semi-darkness and prepared for the day, the storm and wind   abated, but rain was making slush of everything. No doubt, planes would be grounded. I worried that my brother and sister-in-law might be enroute already from Cuba where they had fled Canada in search of sunshine.

In contrast to the present, our country was once a land of ice and snow from early November until late March. We were hearty people brandishing snow shovels and clad in sturdy boots, heavy coats, warm mittens, and bright winter scarves. A favourite pastime was reminiscing around the fireplace about the arduousness of living in Canada through fierce snowstorms.

I was a young teacher in London when a giant storm ripped through the area. I had managed to make it to school and was preparing for class when a telephone call alerted me that my sister, who was close to giving birth, was being transferred by ambulance from a small town an hour’s drive north to an awaiting physician at a hospital in our city. The stormy trip took much over the usual hour before arriving at its destination. I will never forget worrying my way through my teaching as the storm choked the roads and blinded city drivers. Finally, I received a call that a beautiful baby girl had arrived in the early afternoon of January 26th. Soon after the birth, the new father arrived at the hospital as the roads closed behind him. What followed was seven stormy days before safe travelling was restored and the little family headed for home. People had been stranded far and wide and newspapers proclaimed the calamity of the great snowstorm of January 1971. Now that’s an old-fashioned snowstorm!

-Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ

Communing with a Ruff-Legged Hawk

I would have to say, the biggest highlight of the year for me, was the opportunity to commune very intimately with a ruff-legged hawk this past December 7, 2023. The encounter has forever changed me, having ingrained in me an even deeper spiritual connection to all of Creation. I witnessed the hawk being attacked by a vulture on one of the back roads between Thedford and Arkona, Ontario. As I drove closer, the vulture lifted off leaving the hawk lying on its back on the road. I stopped and approached the magnificent creature with the intent to move it off the road and out of the way of greater harm. When I spoke with it, the hawk looked me directly in the eyes. It felt as if he was looking deep into my soul. The environment around us dissolved and I was witness to all of Creation as seen through the hawk’s eyes. I heard (in my mind) “I see you for who you are.” It was nothing short of miraculous!

Not able to come to a solution about how to help this injured raptor, I placed him on his belly in the soft grass at the side of the road, apologized for being human and unable to help more, and left. Imagine my complete surprise the following day, when travelling the same route, a little head perked up at the side of the road very near the same spot I had left him! Gordon (named for the road on which we met) was trying to eat a morsel of the road kill over which he had been attacked. I pulled over a second time, withdrew a light fleece blanket from the back of the Terrain and approached the bird. He seemed to remember me, the crazy lady who talks to birds. I bundled him into the blanket, thanking him for the second chance to help him get medical care. He travelled with me, nestled against me, fastened under the seat belt with care not to irritate his injured wing. I noticed also that his upper beak had been broken at the tip. This would have made it more challenging to eat, no doubt.

It took a while and a couple of stops to get him to Salthaven Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre where, after a few days, it was determined that his injuries would significantly reduce the quality of his life and that he would not survive in the wild at all. He was released to the Great Beyond on Tuesday December 12th. His spirit soars freely now and I know that he will continue to teach me much over the coming months. Be sure to watch for the release of my second book, Omens of Change, where he has found a new life.

 

© Laureen Giulian, Author of Moon of Change https://laureengiulian.ca/books/moon-of-change/