In case you're wondering who I am, here's a condensed version of my life story. I was born in '38, born sick, and needed frequent hospital care when I was a pre-schooler. My elderly, loving parents were always there for me, but as a youngster I was often alone in my sick room. I was able to attend school, but missed lots of days, and couldn't rough and tumble with the other boys.

When about eight, my mother discovered, through a chance meeting with someone on the street (she'd say it wasn't "chance"!) that a new doctor in the city might know about my condition. He did, and I had the first heart surgery of its kind in Vancouver.

My health improved, but I was shy and retiring, not having learned to mix with my peers, nor to play sports. I did well as a student, but I felt a bit different and a bit lonely.

When in high school, even though I was raised as a regular church-goer, I was introduced to personal religious experience, and, I would tell you then, was "converted." It introduced me to like-minded friends, and I started to learn socializing skills. But the religious teaching of this group was too narrow, and I became uncomfortable with it, and went looking for something my mind could accept as well as my heart find uplifting.

About this time, I began teaching school, away from my city, family, and friends. It was a very important time for me. I learned to be a responsible, hard-working employee. I experienced something of my lost childhood by observing and enjoying my students. I gained confidence in my abilities.

Then, as I had always planned, I studied theology and became a minister, marrying the same year I was ordained. My two children brought me joy, as I had never known joy before. I worked hard, believed in what I was doing, and knew the satisfaction of sometimes making a positive difference to someone.. For a while I was also a part-time farmer, even starting the day by milking a cow, a different and satisfying experience.

My first marriage ended, and I went through the sadness of failure, followed by the wonder of amazing grace when, to my surprise, I married an old friend, and then became part of a husband-wife minister team, first in Ontario, then in Victoria.

When I retired, Selma carried on, and I backed her up. When she retired, we spent our first retirement year having a long Sabbath rest on Gabriola Island near Nanaimo, learning to go slower. Now we're back in Victoria with a clearer idea of how we want to spend the rest of our retirement years, seeking a wise balance of self-care and of sharing ourselves with others.

That's me. How would your story read?