As unaware and ignorant and ill equipped some of us are for advancements… I am pleased to report that I am witnessing and living a study in near perfection. I only say near as I await for the inevitable flaws to appear that after 60 years on this domain I realize could have as much to do with me as her.

I am not in LOVE! I am in AWE!!

She is beautiful and intelligent and delightful.

I have decided to keep her close and support her and keep my desires at bay.

This is the plan.

I will report progress or lack thereof in this study of near perfection.

Dennis Mantin

It’s been my experience

Few things in life

Can change one’s perspective more.

Dennis Mantin

In the shelter I hear her mutter and talk to the air and ghosts in her rage.

I hear her screams as she pushes her shopping cart up the sidewalk. The cart that holds her worldly belongings.

Is she someone’s mother?

She was someone’s daughter…

So many tragedies in the city as we wizz our way by.

Dennis Mantin

The anticipation.

The Stories of what happened…

So long ago faded from importance for me but not for her and her crew!

We are telling story now.

Dennis Mantin

A career drinker, he drank until the area at the base of his brain and the top of his spinal column shrank to the point where he lost his motor skills.

Falling… Hitting the ground. Ambulance. Hospital…I remember him as extremely intelligent with a biting wit.

He was quoted as saying at the hospital that he can’t wait to get out so he can get drunk.Dennis Mantin

I have one person who is mean to me.

I have one person who calls me names.

I have 1 person who tries to make me feel bad about myself and goes out of her way to try to manipulate me.

Not bad on a planet of billions!

However it’s amazing how this can negatively affect one’s spirit.

Dennis Mantin

Dennis Mantin

John asked Fabian how he was and Fabian said.

“I’m just trying to drown out all the noise and then hopefully there’ll be some silence soon.”

I didn’t know Fabian but felt safe interjecting, ” That wasn’t a metaphor for life you offered there? You’re talking about something else?”

Fabian smiled, “I was talking about the airplanes… the airshow.”

John added, “There’ll be lots of silence soon enough.”

Dennis Mantin

I am 15 years sober at the conclusion of this day.

This is a spiritual gift and life continues to be better.

The challenges will never end… I hope.

A little wee bit more time between challenges would be welcome…

There are gifts in the challenges.

Life is Grand!

Dennis Mantin

Wilf, my therapist told me that he has divided our work into 3 stages.

The first dealt with my ‘difficult’ past and has produced understanding and forgiveness.

Th second dealt with the accusations of anger and my willingness to find out if this were indeed true and developing improved ways to communicate and concluded when Wilf said I didn’t need to come to therapy.

The third stage has been the development of strategies and guidelines to be the best parent I can possibly be.

This may be my best ever report card!

Dennis Mantin