Love verses Hate

For those of us who say that we love everyone?

Photo by Cal Shook - 2020

Do we?

I thought I did, but confess there are many feelings within me that aren’t very loving toward people who don’t act and think like me. Please God, forgive me and heal me, so I might be a help rather than a hindrance.  That I might be able to hear the fears and concerns of people not like me.

As I’ve spent time praying, I’m drawn back to the basics of my faith, of a power greater than myself, which I call God.

God lovingly created the sun, moon, stars, air, water, vegetation, animals, and humans - a creation with everything needed to survive and thrive.  Then God gave us humans the gift of choice.  How we choose to interact is up to us.  In any given situation, the choices we make have an effect on the outcome.  Will my actions emulate the characteristics of love or hate?

Love  verses  Hate

Care                  Oppress
Plenty               Want
Safe                  Fearful
Healthy Toxic
Harmony            Discord
Listen Tune-out
Solutions            Impasse
Fruitful                Unproductive
Peace                Strife
Thrive Perish

Thank you, Mother Seton!

As I work my way through a memoir about my Grandfather Joseph Landry's family and the Halifax Explosion, I've come across some interesting stories while doing research for the book, "A Picture on the Wall".  My great Aunt Anna Bella was one of my Grandfather Joe's younger sisters who shared many memories that have empowered me to move forward with the book. Below is a story that connects with her.

Photo Credit: https://scsh.org/about-us/history/founders/

Because of an Episcopalian turned Catholic, my great Aunt Anna Bella Landry was able to get an exceptional education - even though she only made it to sixth grade due to family circumstances.  Anna Bella had an ability to read, write, and express herself that appeared more advanced than a typical sixth grade education of her time. I credit her ability to the education that she received form the the Sisters of Charity.  The person responsible for the Sisters of Charity was Mother Seton who started the organization in the United States. Her organization would expand to start up several ministries in Halifax,  Nova Scotia.  One of these was St. Joseph's School where  my great aunt had attended.

Mother Seton was born Elizabeth Ann Bayley on August 28, 1774 in New York . Her father was a physician, Dr. Richard Bayley and her mother Catherine Charleton was the daughter of an Episcopalian minister. At the age of three her mother passed away.  Her father was gentle, kind, and loving and made sure that she got a thorough education and encouraged her to read from his extensive library.  She learned French and was brought up in a bilingual household. Elizabeth had a passion for education.

Elizabeth married William Magee Seton on Jan 25, 1794 at the age of nineteen.
In 1803 William died of consumption leaving her a single mom to their five children: Anna Maria age 8, William age 7, Richard age 5,  Catherine age 3, and  Rebecca age 1.

Because of kindness and support of friends she made while William was sick, the Filichini family,  she found comforted not only in their presence, but in the way they expressed their faith.  They were Catholic. They were there for her through William's illness and his passing.  The rituals they practiced seemed to resonate with her spiritually, so much so she decided to learn as much about their faith and desired to become Catholic.

Both families were very upset about her decision. They did their best to persuade her not to leave their church.  When this didn't work, they threatened to cut her off financially.  After joining the Catholic church, they shunned her.  Without their financial assistance, she left and looked for ways to support herself and her children. Though Antonio  Filicchis offered assistance, Elizabeth took as little assistance as possible, she wanted to make it on her own.

Elizabeth took her vows and became Sister Seton.  With her passion for serving the poor and providing education, especially for young girls, there came approval from the bishops.  Sister Seton soon became Mother Seton and established the Sisters of Charity. 

For more information:
"Mother Seton, mother of many daughters" by Charles White
"Life Story of Mother Seton" by Louise Malloy
"Full Biography of Elizabeth Ann Seton" 
"The sisters of Charity, Halifaxa' by Powers, Sister Maura
"The Sisters of Charity of Halifax - The Early and Middle Years" by Sister Marianna O'GALLAGHER, S.C.H.Quebec, P.Q.

In Memory of Three Fathers - The Halifax Explosion

This blog is in memory of, not only the fathers who perished, but those who survived the Halifax Explosion.

Three fathers - a stevedore, a railway car cleaner, and a carpenter, would leave their families on the morning of December 6, 1917 and only two would survive the horrors of an explosion that would devastate the section of town they called home.

Dan Landry is in 2nd row from the top on far right. circa 1917

Michael Landry - Date Unknown

My great Uncle Dan Landry (26), a carpenter, was handsome and rugged, known for his physical strength. Though quiet, he was very protective of loved ones.  He was young and healthy. Life was good with his devoted wife Annie Adams (23), a baby on the way, and his 18-month-old son Clarence, who melted his heart.


Dan’s father and my great Grandfather, Michael (60), was a railway car cleaner.  He had a gentle way about him.  Being easy going, he’d been content to leave the discipline to his wife Charlotte Bouchard, until she passed away of Tuberculosis in January of 1917 at the age 48.  His two young girls, Anna Bella (14) and Elizabeth (11) cherished his soft-spoken ways and tried their best to keep up with the chores their mother used to do like cooking, laundry, and housekeeping.  All of Michael’s children, (with the exception of Bernadette who died at 3 months, and son Leo who died in June of 1916 at the battle of Y-Press), lived in the same house.  At 38 Union Street in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Michael’s second oldest son, Dan and his family lived on the second floor.  Michael, his sons – Joseph (28), Abe (18), Jimmy (15) and two little girls – both small for their age, lived on the first floor.

Great Uncle Joseph Burke (53), a stevedore, was strong and quite the handyman. He was able to do all the necessary repairs around the cottage they’d been renting for many years. His wife was proud of what he’d been able to accomplish and so was the landlord, who kept their rent at its original $5 a month.  Similar accommodations, would go for close to $15 a month.  Joseph, his wife Pauline Bouchard (49), and five of their seven children, Malcolm (26), Annie (18), Marie (12), Clarence (8), and Edward (5) lived at 19 Stairs in Halifax.

Like many fathers, Dan, Michael, and Joseph were at work when two ships collided in Halifax Harbor resulting in a massive explosion that leveled the Richmond district where they lived. 

Daniel and Michael Landry, were working about a mile from home and close to a city block from each other.  Each felt the ground rumble as their work places were badly damaged and debris was scattered everywhere.  When they looked down the hill, they saw that the city below them was leveled.  Panic came over them as Dan and Michael thought of their families and made their way toward home.  The carnage and devastation got worse as they attempted to get closer.  About half way home and with Fort Needham in view, it looked like all the homes below it, including those up to the waterfront, were on fire.  They feared for the lives of their families.

Joseph Burke was at Pier 8 loading cargo on the Curaca, not far from ground zero where the munitions ship the Mont Blanc, exploded at Pier 6.  His body was never found. (Joseph's story - "Uncle Joseph Burke at Ground Zero")

Michael would discover that two of his children, Abe and Anna Bella were badly cut. Both were buried beneath the rubble when the buildings they were in were hit by the blast. Fortunately both were rescued. Abe would require months of care. All of Michael's children survived the explosion. (Micheal's story - "A Father's Love")

Dan witnessed the burned-out foundation of his home.  He soon learned that everyone, who’d been in their home at 38 Union Street when the explosion hit, except members of his little family on the second floor, had made it out alive.  Within two days he’d identify the “charred remains” of his wife and children. (Dan's story - "From Despair to Hope")

Gratitude is Like a Flower Blooming Among the Thorns of Life.

Myrtle Beach 2019 - Cal Shook

Gratitude is: 

“The quality of being thankful; 

readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” 

– Oxford 

Being grateful brings a smile to my face. How about you?

Life is a bit unsettling right now.

What if I replace worry with gratitude?

There’s power in being thankful.  It can help us put things in perspective. It helps us see the angels among us, those who give to others in a time of need. 

At one of our lowest times, 1991, my husband and I would lose our Mom’s within a month of each other. Running back and forth to hospitals that were 45 minutes apart was a challenge, so we realized we’d have to do our best for our own mothers and see each other’s when we could.   For a long time, food had no flavor and sleep was hard to come by.  We grabbed onto all the blessings we felt during that difficult time.  Like our separation on a birthday and a call from a cousin that fueled my soul - I didn’t have to eat alone.  The reason for my being alone, our car’s engine seized and died when my husband, Jim, was exiting the highway. We were thankful that the off ramp was steep enough to allow him to put it into neutral, then guide it into a mechanic’s shop at the bottom of the hill and across the street.   A friend brought Jim home, they had supper together, and he had a place to stay for the night.  These acts of kindness, along with many others that came, were fuel for our weary souls. 

During this time of uncertainty and crisis, once again, we’re turning to gratitude to help us get through it.  From this gratitude, we are attempting to do acts of kindness, in return.

How did we find this perspective? We believe in “A Power Greater than Ourselves, that can restore us to Sanity.” Though our faith is Christian, there are many different faiths that turn to God in times of need. With God’s help and a sense of gratitude, once again, we’ll get through this.

Social-Distancing - creatively finding ways to stay connected with others.

Photo by Cal Shook - Taken in Myrtle Beach, SC - 2019

The feeling of loneliness can be overwhelming for many individuals who are facing life-altering experiences and the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic is no exception.  We need each other now more than ever.  Even this introvert does, especially during this time of uncertainty.

People are getting creative not only to stay connected, but to lift each other up.  Some of us are using Facebook, Facebook Live, Zoom, and/or Skype, who have never used them before.

On social media, friends and family are posting pictures of beautiful sunrises and sunsets, flowers, pets, and more.  Videos of siblings doing gymnastics or a friend taking a walk along a river with the sound of rushing water and birds chirping, can be a welcomed diversion. For all who are doing their best to be there for others, I am grateful.  Thank You!

In an effort to share a little joy and comfort, I’ve got two links below. One represents a family and their experience with social distancing called “One Day More” and the other is a cell phone choir singing “It Is Well with My Soul.”   Feel free to share posts that have lifted your soul and/or brought you joy.

One Day More - Les Mis “LOCK Down” 

Cell phone Choir: It Is Well with My Soul

  

Making Progress – the Writing of a Memoir About the Halifax Explosion

Joseph Landry (1889-1994)

The stories are coming together and it's looking like a book.

With the help of my editor, Sylvia Clark, I’ve been busy working on edits and revisions of a memoir about my grandfather, Joseph Landry’s family and their experiences, before, during, and after the Halifax Explosion.   Our main focus is to have a completed draft of their story called, “A Picture on the Wall” done as soon as possible.  Since the beginning of this year, an Introduction and four chapters have undergone multiple edits with upcoming chapters in various stages.  We’ve set an editing schedule of every two weeks.  The hardest chapters are in progress.  There are several missing pieces that would be beneficial to have. Below are two of them that concern the Burke Family.

For example:
Harry Burke, son of Pauline and Joseph Burke was at the City Home due to mental defect before the explosion occurred.  If you know anything about Harry and/or you have any idea where I could look to find out more about his situation, please share below or on Facebook.  "Landry, Burke, and Myatt Family Chart."

With the help of Paul C. Landry, we have the names of the family members of Mrs. Myatt, oldest daughter of Pauline and Joseph Burke.  Yet we haven't been able to find the Halifax Relief Commission record for this family at the Nova Scotia Archives.  There was a card showing that a record was kept, but unable to find the corresponding documents.  If you have any ideas or information to help us uncover more about what happened to them, we'd appreciate your sharing it with us.  "Do You Know the Simon and Hilda Myatt Family - Dartmouth NS - Halifax Explosion?"

First Aid - A Life Saver - Halifax Explosion

When you see a red cross what do you think of?

When it comes to the Halifax Explosion, I think of the civilian and

military personnel who had training in First Aid.  If it weren't for them, I believe that many more people, including some of my grandfather Joseph Landry's family, would have perished that day.

Among the groups that offered assistance were members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade.  According to a Report by the Halifax Centre Nursing Division of the St John Ambulance Brigade, “Within a few (hours) of the explosion, 62 had rendered first aid - arresting (hemorrhage), removing glass, plaster and splinters from wounds, applying dressing and splints where necessary. By the application of their knowledge of asepsis, they helped to prevent serious complications."  Not only had this group provided medical attention to people in the devastated area and in the hospitals after the explosion, but before the explosion, qualified nurses and doctors gave First Aid training to some members of the Army Medical Corps, police officers and firemen.

Many soldiers and sailors from other countries, who had similar medical training and access to supplies, would join the relief effort.  Rescue parties would come ashore with stretcher bearers. The stretcher bearers carried the wounded out of areas where access roads were blocked.

The first aid provided to the wounded before they were transported to the hospitals, saved many lives. I wasn't aware that there were so many people who had this kind of training until reading some of the Archibald MacMechan reports and doing further research related to these reports.  This shows that being prepared for a disaster can save lives.  If you have the time and/or feel led, why not seek out some first aid training.

Canadian Red Cross
American Red Cross

Resources:
Report: Halifax United Nursing Davison, No. 17, St. John Ambulance Brigade
Reference: Archibald MacMechan Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 volume 2124 number 33 - page 4 - Note: The parenthesis () in quote are possible word corrections like (hour) instead of "house".

The Military in Disaster Relief after the Explosion in Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 1917  -  by Lieutenant Charles E. Matykiewicz, U.S. Navy