My Friend

Years ago, I hurt my friend
crushed something very deep within.
Some part of her unseen but lost
was covered by an early frost.
I did not know what I had done
and now our friendships come undone.
My friend and I have grown apart
and now we both have broken hearts.
The hurt I did, I now confess
and pray to God to heal this mess.
Were I to have another chance,
I'd let my friend enjoy her dance.
I'd cherish her and what is more,
I'll help her find her wings to soar.
Oh Jesus Christ please heal her pain,
so that we can be friends again.

by The Regular Working Guy

My Friend Andy...............

Here's to my friend Andy. Andy's a Regular Working Guy, doing shiftwork at one of the local power generating stations as an instrument technician. He's one of the guys who, day and night, through winter snows, sleet and rain, is on stand-by to keep the power flowing to the people. But Andy's more than just a Regular Working Guy. He's the most devoted father and husband I've ever met. He does what he does for the people he loves....his family.

Shortly after Andy married his high-school sweetheart, Wendy, he came to the realization that he needed to take steps to provide a better life for his wife and future family. With Wendy's encouragement, Andy enrolled in college to pursue a trade. Andy went to school by day and studied throughout the evening, while working as a night watchman. Andy's sole goal was to earn a better living, not for himself, but so that one day Wendy could stay home to raise the children they wanted to have together. Well, Andy did it...he graduated from college and landed a job with the power corporation. He's been a Regular Working Guy for 18 years now. And Wendy, well, she did get to stay home and raise their four beautiful children. When Andy was asked lately what he was passionate about, he responded that he was passionate about his family...his wife and kids. Really, that says it all. It's profound. Andy's family is his passion.

So here's to my friend Andy. The best Regular Working Guy I know and a heck of a man too. Andy, I'm proud to know you!

Do unto others..........

"The Waitress (Le serveuse de bocks)" Edouard Manet (1832-1883)
Man, it's so true...treat others the way you'd like to be treated. I read recently on someone's blog a phrase that I'd read years ago and forgotten:

"A nice person who is rude to the waitress is not a nice person."

Right said, Fred. What a telling statement. Every one of us should apply this to each and every person we meet. After all, we're all Regular Working Guys, right? Is the waitress any less a person than the CEO? Is the banker any better than the janitor? How could one Regular Working Guy look down on another working Joe? Take the time, Regular Working Guy, to thank the folks others take for granted.

Thank the guy who pumps your gas when it's -30 degrees and blowing snow. Take a few minutes to talk to the courier driver and ask her how she's doing. Treat your waitress like gold and always, always be polite. Come on.... tip her well too, Regular Working Guy!

Give me the simple life...

The older I get, the more I appreciate the simple things in life. Playing cards with my kids on Saturday night, a cup of coffee with my wife or just talking on the couch; it's the little, simple things that I live for. I've said it a few times lately, and I really mean it...I'd rather have happiness than money, more stuff or whatever. Hey we all wish we had that '72 Vette, a winning lotto ticket or a $700,000 house....after all we're only human, right? But, I'd rather drive my beat up Pontiac another 15 years, wear second hand clothes and still be in love with my wife than have money and stuff. I'm blessed really (and I mean it). To be a regular Joe (a Regular Working Guy) living pay cheque to pay cheque is a gift from God. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes to "Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love". What Regular Working Guy could possibly ask for more?? Give me a Friday night, 15 bucks in my pocket and a spin in the country with my family and I'm happy. Less is more, Regular Working Guy and don't you forget it.

(Midland, New Brunswick)

Get 'er done, son (part one)

Here's to the guys and gal in our crew here at The Mill. Here's to the folks who day after day, in the wet, cold and heat, give their all to "get 'er done, son". Our crew consists of stores personnel, chemical unloaders, and equipment operators. We do the lugging, the tugging, the unloading and the material handling for our mill of 320 plus people.

Here's to Bobby and Jimmy, our 2 senior men, each with over 31 years at The Mill. Bobby's unloaded more rail cars that CN has rolling stock. He's a big-hearted guy, a devoted husband and a great dad to his little girl, Trish. Every year, Bob collects money from our department and throughout The Mill for needy families. This year, he single-handedly raised enough to provide Christmas for 2 families in our local area. Jimmy our other senior man, is a worker, a true worker and he's been working at one thing or another since the age of nine. If it has wheels and a stick, Jimmy can run it. Like Bobby, Jim's a master in the arts of hunting and fishing. A man of the outdoors and a man of experience. Both of these guys will be retiring next year; and a well-deserved retirement it will be. It will be our loss, no doubt about it.

Dave O, like myself, has been a part of the crew for 5 years. I first met Dave back in the late 80's when we both attended the same university. A finer guy you'll never meet. Dave is a true gentleman and a great family man as well. Conscientious, hard- working and true....it's guys like Dave who make even the hardest jobs seem, well, not so bad after all. He's one heck of a man on the ice too, with more hat tricks this year alone than either he or I can count!

Chris and Perry are two of our stores guys here at The Mill. I tip my hat to both of these lads; they've worked very hard and come along way. Chris and Perry both returned to college in their late 30's after many years in the workforce. Kudos to them both, as they graduated tops in their class and then landed jobs here at The Mill. Chris absolutely thinks the world of his 2 boys, Evan and Morgan. He can't help but smile when he tells us of their adventures and accomplishments. Truly a dedicated dad, Chris also finds time to volunteer with one of the regional fire departments. Perry too is a loving dad like no one I've ever seen before. He absolutely adores his 2 year old son, Alexander. Perry's computer is literally plastered with pictures of what must be one of the cutest little guys you've ever seen. Here's to Perry and Chris and the families they love.

Cindy works in our office and does just a super job with the paperwork. Everyone likes Cindy, in fact, I've never heard a negative thing said about her. She's just one of those nice people that the Lord chooses to bless us with. Amen. In addition to her duties at The Mill, Cindy also has a more-than-full-time job at home raising her two kids with hubby Mike. That girl is up at 4:00 in the morning making lunches and doing laundry for her clan. It's unreal what the working moms have to go through to pull it altogether for their families. Here's to Cindy and all the moms like her! The unsung heroes of our modern age. Here's to all the Regular Working Guys & Gals who do their best each and every day to "get 'er done"!!

(This is part one of my burb on our crew at The Mill. We'll cover the rest of the dudes in part two.)

Check out Donovan Webster's book on the enduring tragedy of war entitled "Aftermath: The Remnants of War". It's a profound look at the wars of this century and their lasting effect. Aftermath is truly an eye-opener; a behind the scenes look at the continuing struggle of previously war-torn nations to rid themselves of the "memory" of war. No one states it any better. War is a waste of precious lives and a thorn in the side to even future generations. Webster has also written a book about his journey along the Burma road to China. He's a great author and well worth reading.

Another great writer is Peter Jenkins, the famed back-packing author/traveler. Jenkins rose to fame with his 1970's book "A Walk Across America". He's written several books about his travels throughout the U.S. and the world. His books are not so much about the places he visits but the people he meets along the way. I've read 5 of Jenkins' books and enjoy his rich stories about the everyday lives of everyday people.

Currently, I'm reading an excellent book about the struggles of the Afghan nation written by British author, Jason Elliot. His book, "An Unexpected Light, Travels in Afghanistan", details the resilience and long-suffering of an incredibly beautiful people. You can read an exerpt here.

Time to kick back

Regular working guys need time to sit back and relax....just smooth out, nice and easy. Take the time; set aside the time for conversation with your wife or your girl. Make time to meet with friends for a glass of wine or maybe a mug of tea. For me, nothing beats a relaxing coffee with my wife at our favourite spot. We've found a little Timmy's (a.k.a. Tim Horton's) off Main Street West in an older section of Saint John. It's a cozy little place to snuggle in for a herbal tea or a large coffee , two cream. We go there, not necessarily for the coffee, but to talk and take a few minutes of down-time. My wifey also likes The Infusion on Charlotte Street. It's a neat place for a tea & dessert or a steaming bowl of chowder.

We also enjoy meeting with friends throughout the week at our church, Rothesay Vineyard. Every Wednesday, we catch-up with one another at homegroup. It's an awesome time of sharing and really caring for one another. It's not fluff and smiles and holding hands in a circle. It's real life .....the problems, the struggles of real people. Gotta love reality....and you've gotta loves the community we have a Rothesay Vineyard. Check out nakedpastor.com for the skinny on our church and our pastor.

So, kick back and relax. Take time to convo with friends. Have a coffee. I'll be having one tonight at my Timmy's with my sweetie... Cheers big ears!