Home  >> Stories  >> The Tale Spinner #2018-25

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IN THIS ISSUE

• This Heroic Story is about preparadness
• Rafiki forwards a story about Maurice Audet´s 105th birthday
• Barbara Wear´s post maintains that help is always available
• Tom Telfer shares a story about perspective
• Irene Harvalias forwards thoughts on aging
• Catherine Nesbitt sends this account of one man´s long marriage
• Sites are suggested by Barbara Wear and Tom Telfer

From "HeroicStories" comes this tale by Mike David:

A LESSON IN PREPARADNESS

In the summer of 1990, my friends and I spent time at the Ulm bridge in tiny Ulm, Montana. Ulm is about 10 miles outside of Great Falls and anyone who has lived in Montana for any length of time will tell you that summer can be very hot. The Ulm bridge and surrounding water of the Missouri River provided much relief to teenagers, swimming under the bridge and playing football in a large shallow area next to the bridge.

While playing football with my classmate and casual friend Zack Wilcox, about a dozen guys heard yells for help over near the bridge. A high school girl who couldn´t swim had been dragged by the current and was hanging onto the bridge footing.

The water was easily 30 feet deep and the girl, Tiffany, was crying as her friends and sister yelled. All the boys ran towards the edge of the deep water and promptly stopped.

That is, everyone except Zack and I. I couldn´t say what I was thinking, having no formal water rescue training, but I knew I needed to help. Unbeknownst to me, Zack was a certified lifeguard.

We both swam as fast as we could towards Tiffany, about 20-25 yards away. Swimming that hard for that long a distance was a grueling challenge after water football, but we made it to Tiffany before she went under.

Tiffany was visibly shaken and upset, having held herself up using the gritty, rough concrete of the bridge footing. Zack and I each took an arm and made her kick her legs as we made our way back to the bridge. I was completely gassed, actually thought I wouldn´t make it, and stopped to tread water to catch my breath, but not Zack. Zack was swimming so hard he actually began pulling both Tiffany and me. I was re-energized by Zack´s determination and began swimming hard again as well.

After towing Tiffany 35 feet to the shore, I collapsed on the sand as Tiffany cried and her older sister hugged her. Zack made sure she was OK and swam back to the football game. After a few minutes rest, I rejoined the game and gave Zack an "atta boy" for rescuing Tiffany. Like any humble person, Zack said it was a team effort and we both did a good job.

I think about this moment occasionally. Since then, I´ve grown up and helped many people. Deep down, I suspect this event set me on a path of looking out for others versus watching from the sidelines when help was needed. Zack showed me what courage and preparedness are all about.

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Rafiki, who was a guest at the party, forwards this account of

MAURICE AUDET´S 105TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

PALMERSTON - Maurice Audet, the oldest person in Palmerston, celebrated his 105th birthday on May 18 at the Royal Terrace.

Betty, Richard, and Maurice Audet

His wife of over 50 years, Betty, arranged for a small party for residents and friends that day. The Audets´ son, Richard, of Smithers, B.C., came especially for the occasion, bringing greetings from his wife, Shawna, and son Sebastian. Maurice was 96 when his grandson was born.

Having a 105th birthday is a newsworthy event: it´s rare that a person lives so long. But there is also a remarkable life story that unfolded over those 105 years. Maurice´s life has been dedicated to serving and helping others.

Many will remember Maurice as a high school teacher who was passionate about his job and taught with an intense energy. He taught Latin and later English at Norwell District Secondary School from 1963 until 1978. In 1978, at the age of 65, he wrote a letter to the government saying he was not interested in retiring, but he would comply with their "stupid" mandatory retirement law.

Many others may know him from his time as a volunteer in this community. He was very active helping the senior citizens of Palmerston. He acted as head of the Senior Citizens for a number of years. He delivered Meals on Wheels to shut-ins, he organized entertainment at the Royal Terrace, and he acted as a hospice worker for the Victorian Order of Nurses. Maurice was awarded a National Gold Medal for his volunteer work with the VON. Maurice loved helping the "old people," even when he was their senior.

Much of his life before reaching Palmerston was truly remarkable. His most extraordinary adventures were in China and Japan. Maurice went overseas in the 1930s. He went to Manchuria in Northern China as a volunteer with the Catholic Church. He became a language teacher at the University of Kirin and promptly learned Chinese with his gift for languages. Manchuria was invaded by Japan at the very start of the Second World War. Maurice was invited to be their "honourable guest" in a prisoner of war camp. For five years he endured the war camp and found ways to make life bearable for his fellow inmates. One of the things he did was to organize a theatre troupe in the camp.

One day in 1945, the Japanese suddenly left the camp and soon afterwards American military planes landed to take prisoners away. Maurice thanked them for their offer, but just went back to the university and started to teach again. Soon after, the Russians invaded Manchuria and Maurice ended up teaching his class with a Russian soldier carrying a machine gun at the back of the room.

History once again threw his life into chaos. The Chinese communist revolution began in his region of China, and Maurice wisely fled south. There are many amazing stories of how he stayed one step ahead of the revolution while working his way south to Beijing. He taught in Beijing until it too was surrounded by the communists, and he was able to arrange a deal with the American military to make his escape.

Soon after arriving back in Canada, he decided that his days of adventure were not done. He decided that he held no grudge against the Japanese. Maurice had learned Japanese in the war camp. In 1947 he returned to Asia and began teaching high school in Japan. While there he would amaze the locals with his mastery of the language and by mastering the ancient art of samurai dance.

When his Asian adventures were done, Maurice ended up teaching school in Ottawa. This is where he met his wife, Betty. She was organizing a theatre festival and he brought a group of students to perform. There was some miscommunication, since this was not a festival for student groups, nor was there any other groups doing French plays. Maurice´s students won first prize at the festival and a long and enduring relationship was started.

ED. NOTE: Rafiki added that Maurice´s wife, Betty, fell and broke her hip a week after the party. We send our best wishes for a fast recovery for Betty, as well as our admiration for Maurice´s long life of service to humanity.

Barbara Wear shares these thoughts from Steve Goodier:

HELP

Have you noticed how help is often available just when you need it? A few years ago, a California artist carved a unique Christmas gift for his parents in Connecticut. It was a four-foot-tall statue of a hitchhiker, with thumb extended. (The perfect gift for the discriminating homeowner...)

His gift may have been a little odd, but his method of shipping the statue to his folks was even stranger. He simply set it beside the road and let it "hitch" its way across the continent. Around the statue´s neck he hung a sign bearing his parents´ New England address, and across its chest was printed the word "Connecticut" in large letters. Several weeks and some 2,500 miles later, unknown hands delivered the gift to the woodcarver´s parents in time for Christmas.

I find it heartening to remember that there are always those willing to help. And it´s true regardless of the circumstance. There is someone willing to extend a hand, lend an ear or share a heart. Whether you need temporary assistance or your life has experienced a meltdown, there is someone who wants to help.

Author Jack Canfield reminds us, "Human beings are not designed to go through life alone. No one has to bear the burden of tough times all by themselves." In every important way, you are never really alone. You have a life "support system" consisting of people you may have never met. And it may be one of your greatest resources.

ED. NOTE: For more encouraging posts from Steve Goodier, click on www.LifeSupportSystem.com

Tom Telfer shares this story about

PERSPECTIVE

Whenever I´m disappointed with my spot in life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott.

Jamie was trying out for a part in the school play. His mother told me that he´d set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen.

On the day the parts were awarded, I went with her to collect him after school.

Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement. "Guess what, Mom," he shouted, and then said those words that will remain a lesson to me....

"I´ve been chosen to clap and cheer."

Irene Harvalias forwards this unattributed article

ON AGING

Many of us are between 65 and death, i.e. old. My friend sent me this excellent list for aging, and I have to agree it´s good advice to follow. The guy who sent this hi-lighted #19.

1. It´s time to use the money you saved up. Use it and enjoy it. Don´t just keep it for those who may have no notion of the sacrifices you made to get it. Remember there is nothing more dangerous than a son or daughter-in-law with big ideas for your hard-earned capital. Warning: This is also a bad time for investments, even if it seems wonderful or fool-proof. They only bring problems and worries. This is a time for you to enjoy some peace and quiet.

2. Stop worrying about the financial situation of your children and grandchildren, and don´t feel bad spending your money on yourself. You´ve taken care of them for many years, and you´ve taught them what you could. You gave them an education, food, shelter and support. The responsibility is now theirs to earn their own money.

3. Keep a healthy life, without great physical effort. Do moderate exercise (like walking every day), eat well, and get your sleep. It´s easy to become sick, and it gets harder to remain healthy. That is why you need to keep yourself in good shape and be aware of your medical and physical needs. Keep in touch with your doctor, do tests even when you´re feeling well. Stay informed.

4. Always buy the best, most beautiful items for your significant other. The key goal is to enjoy your money with your partner. One day one of you will miss the other, and the money will not provide any comfort then, so enjoy it together

5. Don´t stress over the little things. Like paying a little extra on price quotes. You´ve already overcome so much in your life. You have good memories and bad ones, but the important thing is the present. Don´t let the past drag you down and don´t let the future frighten you. Feel good in the now. Small issues will soon be forgotten.

6. Regardless of age, always keep love alive. Love your partner, love life, love your family, love your neighbour, and remember: A man is not old as long as he has intelligence and affection.

7. Be proud, both inside and out. Don´t stop going to your hair salon or barber, do your nails, go to the dermatologist and the dentist, keep your perfumes and creams well stocked. When you are well-maintained on the outside, it seeps in, making you feel proud and strong.

8. Don´t lose sight of fashion trends for your age, but keep your own sense of style. There´s nothing worse than an older person trying to wear the current fashion among youngsters. You´ve developed your own sense of what looks good on you - keep it and be proud of it. It´s part of who you are.

9. ALWAYS stay up-to-date. Read newspapers, watch the news. Go online and read what people are saying. Make sure you have an active e-mail account and try to use some of those social networks. You´ll be surprised what old friends you´ll meet. Keeping in touch with what is going on and with the people you know is important at any age.

10. Respect the younger generation and their opinions. They may not have the same ideals as you, but they are the future, and will take the world in their direction. Give advice, not criticism, and try to remind them that yesterday´s wisdom still applies today.

11. Never use the phrase: In my time. Your time is now. As long as you´re alive, you are part of this time. You may have been younger, but you are still you now, having fun and enjoying life.

12. Some people embrace their golden years, while others become bitter and surly. Life is too short to waste your days on the latter. Spend your time with positive, cheerful people, it´ll rub off on you and your days will seem that much better. Spending your time with bitter people will make you older and harder to be around.

13. Do not surrender to the temptation of living with your children or grandchildren (if you have a financial choice, that is.) Sure, being surrounded by family sounds great, but we all need our privacy. They need theirs and you need yours. If you´ve lost your partner (our deepest condolences,) then find a person to move in with you and help out. Even then, do so only if you feel you really need the help or do not want to live alone.

14. Don´t abandon your hobbies. If you don´t have any, make new ones. You can travel, hike, cook, read, dance. You can adopt a cat or a dog, grow a garden, play cards, checkers, chess, dominoes, golf. You can paint, volunteer, or just collect certain items. Find something you like and spend some real time having fun with it.

15. Even if you don´t feel like it, try to accept invitations. Baptisms, graduations, birthdays, weddings, conferences. Try to go. Get out of the house, meet people you haven´t seen in a while, experience something new (or something old). But don´t get upset when you´re not invited. Some events are limited by resources, and not everyone can be hosted. The important thing is to leave the house from time to time. Go to museums, go walk through a field. Get out there.

16. Be a conversationalist. Talk less and listen more. Some people go on and on about the past, not caring if their listeners are really interested. That´s a great way of reducing their desire to speak with you. Listen first and answer questions, but don´t go off into long stories unless asked to. Speak in courteous tones and try not to complain or criticize too much unless you really need to. Try to accept situations as they are. Everyone is going through the same things, and people have a low tolerance for hearing complaints. Always find some good things to say as well.

17. Pain and discomfort go hand in hand with getting older. Try not to dwell on them but accept them as a part of the cycle of life we´re all going through. Try to minimize them in your mind. They are not who you are, they are something that life added to you. If they become your entire focus, you lose sight of the person you used to be.

18. If you´ve been offended by someone - forgive them. If you´ve offended someone - apologize. Don´t drag around resentment with you. It only serves to make you sad and bitter. It doesn´t matter who was right. Someone once said: Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die. Don´t take that poison. Forgive, forget, and move on with your life.

19. If you have a strong belief, savour it. But don´t waste your time trying to convince others. They will make their own choices, no matter what you tell them, and it will only bring you frustration. Live your faith and set an example. Live true to your beliefs and let that memory sway them.

20. Laugh. Laugh A LOT. Laugh at everything. Remember, you are one of the lucky ones. You managed to have a life, a long one. Many never get to this age, never get to experience a full life. But you did. So what´s not to laugh about? Find the humour in your situation.

21. Take no notice of what others say about you and even less notice of what they might be thinking. They´ll do it anyway, and you should have pride in yourself and what you´ve achieved. Let them talk and don´t worry. They have no idea about your history, your memories, and the life you´ve lived so far. There´s still much to be written, so get busy writing and don´t waste time thinking about what others might think. Now is the time to be at rest, at peace, and as happy as you can be!

Remember: Life is too short to drink bad wine and warm beer.

Ed. NOTE: This article must have been written before it became so hard for many of our children to afford housing, or to hold down good jobs, or to move on with their lives. I believe that if you can help them, you should, in any way you can. Do not bankrupt yourself, of course, but remember all the times you have been helped during your life and pass it on to your children or other people in need.

Catherine Nesbitt sends this story:

SECRET OF A LONG HAPPY MARRIAGE

At a Catholic Church in Perth, they have monthly marriage seminars for husbands.

At the last session, the priest asked Giuseppe, who said he was approaching his 50th wedding anniversary, to take a few minutes and share some insight into how he had managed to stay married to the same woman all these years.

Giuseppe spoke to the assembled husbands, "Well, I´ve tried to treat her nice, spenda money on her; but besta of all is, I took her to Italy for our fifth anniversary!"

The priest responded, "Giuseppe, you are an inspiration to all the husbands here! Please tell us what you are planning for your wife for your 50th anniversary?"

Giuseppe proudly replied, "I gonna go pick her up."

SUGGESTED SITES

Barbara Wear recommends this site for a compilation of songs from the ´50s and ´60s on the Juke Box:

Tom Telfer forwards this link to a video of Courtney Hadwin, a 13-year-old contestant in America´s Got Talent, winning a golden buzzer award:

Tom also sends the URL for a video of 13-year-old Jeffrey Li of Toronto wowing the judges and audience with his version of "You Raise Me Up:"

In this TED talk, Enric Sala shares his bold plan to safeguard the high seas by creating a giant marine reserve that covers two-thirds of the world´s oceans: