It’s been an interesting few days. I returned to the office building, to THQ, to provide an experience of introduction and orientation for the President of Booth UC. Toronto is a big and busy city with roads that are full, torn up and partially redirected often and under stress. As a result, the drivers are also under stress. I try not to join them!

Walked back into the office has been good – I’m glad to give away the email load, the reading load, the travel load. I’m happy to see some of the very good people that I enjoyed working with so much.

My role this week has been to act as a guide for Rev. Rob Fringer as he enters into The Salvation Army world. He’s been just a delight to share time with and we’ve had some interesting discussions. Apparently, we have a very similar view on cats and I don’t mean the Broadway musical!

And we seem to enjoy some similar tastes in food and specifically coffee.

We visited the Toronto Grace Health Centre, the new site for CFOT, Yorkminster Citadel, and Scarborough Citadel. We had meetings with several stakeholders as we work to build strong relationships and to partner in ways that serve The Kingdom of God.

It was really comfortable, really nice, to talk again with so many wonderful people that I have journeyed with over time.

And how nice to be there for the installation of the new territorial leaders – Commissioners Lee and Debbie Graves. Lee was in our session in 1981 when we started our training as cadets. Of the 52 of us that began only 3 now remain in active service. Some resigned, some died of cancer (I believe 5), and the rest reached retirement now – including us!!

And while in Toronto I was able to have a meal with Terry and Cath, yes that is the famous Terry Harney who was defence partner to Steve Cameron during the ripe days of Salvation Army hockey games!

And really nice to have time to visit my Mom and see some old photos! I’m always amazed at how many years have disappeared from view when looking at myself in those photos. There I am, now over 60 years ago and yet I can see the spot, smell the cool air, feel the car behind me, and remember looking through that camera. Memory is a powerful thing and a constant reminder that there are people and things that have made us who we are as the days pass!