Heritage, Memorial and Heaven

Heritage is important - it contributes to our identities and confidences and if shame, then we must to rise above it.  It maybe fitting to play this video as you read today's post, allowing the music to accompany your read;

Part of my heritage, that which I am proud of and even cherish, is my parent's involvement with the St John's Boy's Schools in the 70's and early 80's.  I was only a little girl, when I ran about the boarding school and property, cheered with them at snow shoe races, welcomed them home after their canoe trips...my Dad-the Headmaster, all shaggy from the lack of shaving and each man thinner than when he left for the canoe trips. I enjoyed October Fests where I was crowned Queen.  I reveled in the dynamics of community living, tried to sneak into the chapel and eat communion wafers with Jamie Voss. Dug my hand into the barrel of what I believed to be icing sugar, but was rudely surprised by the flour-taste, more than once - in the school kitchen while my mom was cooking for 70 or so people. And made sure that I was NOT on the field during a rugby practice.

This all took place in Southern Ontario, and chances would have it, today I raise my own family just blocks away from where my own Dad went to the first St John's School, under the direction of Frank Weins.  Who was my Dad's God Father. Yesterday marked some closure of an era of this unique, unforgettable school, education and philosophy. We walked together as a family in our Sunday best, passing by tulips and fruit trees in full blossom, past the first location of the St John's school on St. Cross Ave, and on to the Cathedral to attend the packed memorial service for the recent passing of Frank Wiens.

When my Mother first let me know of his passing, a thought, almost like a memory, a picture really...crossed my mind.  There was a group of young men, they were sitting around Frank Wiens,  in Heaven, talking and reminiscing about the school.  I'm not sure what the reader thinks as you are reading this - you can chalk it up to either an over active imagination or perhaps some revelation - whichever you choose is fine with me.  A flood of warmth came over me seeing this picture in my minds eye, these young men who've gone on before meeting Frank Wiens and enjoying his company and words of affirmation.

The memorial service ended with Compline, and with the Hymn of St John's; I feel the wind of God today

I feel the winds of God today

Today my sail I lift

Though heavy oft with drenching spray

And torn with many a rift

If hope but light the water’s crest

And Christ my bark will use

I’ll sail the seas at His behest

And brave another cruise

It is the wind of God that dries

My vain regretful tears

Until with braver thoughts shall rise

The purer,  brighter years

If cast on shores of selfish ease

Or pleasure I should be

Lord, let me fell thy freshening breeze

And I’ll put back to sea

If ever I forget Thy love

And how that love was shown

Lift high the blood-red flag above

It bears Thy name alone

Great pilot of my onward way

Thou wilt not let me drift

I feel the winds of God today

Today my sail I lift

Signing Off,
one of Felletti's kids.