An honorable man

Today is my nephew Joshua's birthday. He's at college as an engineering student. He has in his rather abbreviated life as an adult, proven himself to be an honorable man. He cares for his family, he is considerate of his friends, he is compassionate in dealing with everyone. He takes time to stay in touch with his younger siblings and his grandparents. He has a great relationship with his parents. He has a wonderful girlfriend. And the hardest to believe, he is good to his aunt.

I am glad to know such a fine man and can forgive him for making me feel old for having such a grown-up nephew.

Happy Birthday Josh, I love you!

Your "anut"* jene'


*When he was much younger he addressed a card to me this way. Seems he had discernment early on.

Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense

Evil (or shame) be unto him who thinks evil.

This is the motto of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. Today there was a service in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle to honour them.

The service is held every year but this remembrance holds a special place in the celebration of Queen Elizabeth's eightieth birthday. For the first time her two youngest sons will take part as the newest Royal Knight Companions.

It may seem out of place in this age we live in to have such an antiquated group still in existence. I find it comforting that there are still places where honour is important and duty is treasured.

As our leaders have abandoned honour so goes the rest of the country. That's why I think it is imperative to teach our children the importance of their personal honour. We do that by demonstrating to them it is paramount to us by how we live our lives.

We can show them that " it is our choices which make us who we are."* We can teach them to choose "what is right over what is easy."* Both of these are taught by our living them.

Wanting to be a living lesson,

jene'

*J.K. Rowling via Albus Dumbledore from the Harry Potter Series. Many good life lessons can be found in great literature.