Afghanistan 8
19 June 2009
Greetings from Shilo!
It's been a couple of months since my last update so allow me the time to bring you up to speed. After Suffield and Medicine Hat, the PRT took a brief rest before deploying to Wainwright Alberta for Exercise Maple Guardian (MG). Maple Guardian is our confirmation exercise where we're accessed as a unit before deploying overseas. For those of you who managed to watch "Combat School" on Discovery Channel, MG was our combat school where we had to validate our experience and expertise in our jobs. Albeit a successful exercise, we did have a few hiccups. Most notably was the organizational change to our unit during mid stride. The reason for this change was to align us with the unit already in theatre. Like any robust organization you go through a series of minor tweaking and changes to reflect the current situation; we are no different.
Having said that, people were also reshuffled into different jobs, and new sub-units were created. I am, however, pleased to report that I managed to survive the reshuffle unscathed. Moreover, my responsibilities have now tripled as I assume new duties as Deputy Commanding Officer of my new sub unit. More importantly, working closely with our civilian government departments (DFAIT, CIDA, RCMP and CSC), we were able to foster good working relationships while utilizing the Whole of Government Approach. This rapport was extremely beneficial since many of the civilians who joined us at MG will be working with us in theatre.
We've been back from Wainwright a couple of days now, and we're all looking forward to a much deserved summer break next week. Despite summer holidays, training continues and almost half of us have already started new courses. As for me, I and thirty others will be departing for Kingston tomorrow. For the next two weeks we'll be learning everything about Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC). CIMIC is essentially the army's conduit when conducting key leader engagements with village elders and leadership. CIMIC is also responsible for village assessments and gauging village needs ie. a well, school, reconstruction etc.
That's all for now. God bless.
A very tired Taius
______________________________________________________________
Hugh Message
Coldwell Banker 1st Pioneer Realty
604-551-6584
www.HughMessage.com
Afghanistan 7
May 4th, 2009
Hello from Medicine Hat. I arrived from Kingston Saturday afternoon just in time to get into the swing of things. This is the fourth week the brigade and the battle group have been in the Suffield training area, and we're now gearing up for Exercise Total Ram, the grand finale and final verification exercise. For the PRT, our mission is to "secure" the town of Medicine Hat and set the condition to improve its current state. Scenario background: insurgents have been terrorizing the area of Medicine Hat using IEDs, shootings and other forms of violence as economic conditions have worsened. Fearing civil unrest and escalation of violence, the PRT was dispatched to support the legitimate government.
Overall, public support has been incredible. The people here have been tremendously helpful and supportive in allowing us to train in their town. I have to admit, it's a weird feeling watching armoured vehicles rumbling across town without any hindrance. The reason for Medicine Hat is to give us an opportunity to train in a real town prior to Afghanistan. Knowing our situation, the town has been extremely supportive. I've taken some photos of our camp and will forward them to you when I return to Shilo.
Right now the Tactical Operations Center (also known as the TOC) is buzzing with activity. We've just been bombarded by the media (every known media outlet known to man) and our Public Affairs people are scrambling getting them embedded with our training. While media exposure is a good thing, operational security is still paramount and a little difficult to maintain. Anyway, I digress....
Besides the media, we've also been hosting numerous unwanted visitors; most notably being the insect-rodent type. Apparently, Medicine Hat is known for their black-widow spiders. To the shock and surprise of one of our soldiers, the spider decided to cuddle up to him while he was taking a nap. Needless to say the reception wasn't well received by the young soldier. In addition, because of the unusual warm weather we've been having, we've also been getting a lot of garden snakes. One young soldier, while in the prone position, became intimate with one as the four foot snake decided to slither over him. Anyway, you can imagine what happened next.
Lastly, our time in Medicine Hat is quickly coming to a close. The exercise ends on Friday and we'll return to Shilo early Sunday morning. I'll be home briefly during the Victoria Day Weekend before departing for Wainwright Alberta. That's all for now.
God bless,
Taius
*****************************************************************************
Hugh Message
Coldwell Banker 1st Pioneer Realty
22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 8N3 604-530-4111
.
Encore at Hillcrest, Cloverdale - Announcing a price reduction on 171-18701 66 Avenue, a 1,415 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story. Now 
MLS® $299,000 CAD - Price Reduced.
Property information
Afghanistan 06
April 14, 09
Greetings from Suffield Alberta! I'm not sure when I'll get an opportunity to send this message so bare with me if the dates don't match. First of all I hope you had a very pleasant Easter weekend. The Task Force celebrated Easter with a church service in the field. Oddly enough, this was my first field service in 25 years. Given the operational tempo of this exercise I found it refreshing that soldiers had an opportunity to commemorate Easter.
We've been in Suffield for a week now with the intent on completing this exercise on May 8th. The aim of this exercise is to bring the Brigade and the Task Force (we fall under their umbrella for training purposes) up to Level 6 (in other words think of it as a war movie with 3,000 soldiers charging, tanks and armoured vehicles firing and moving, artillery guns blazing with attack and support helicopters flying overhead in unison). In the meantime, every unit is conducting work-up training to get themselves ready for the final finale.
For me it's been a slow start. On day three of the exercise I ended up tearing some ligaments on my left foot. According to the medical doctor I'm suffering from a hyper extended metatarsal phalanx. The prognosis is that it'll take three months before it finally heals. All I know is that my foot hurts like stink! Unfortunately I don't have a great "war story" to tell you except that I ended up falling into a rabbit/gopher hole in the middle of the night. If you've never been to Suffield before, the entire training area is essentially a swamp with very uneven ground. Walking back to my tent after a long day of work, my knee locked as the heel of my left foot fell into the hole. Even more embarrassing is that I'm walking around the training area with a cane. It's not the cane I'm embarrassed about, but rather the lack of a good "war story" to go with it. Yes... it's goofy, but remember I'm in the field with 3,000 "type A" army-macho personalities. Overall, I guess I can't complain if being called "Tripod" is the worst thing that can happen to me. Anyway, I digress....
Our training to date has been interesting if not entertaining. Besides trying to achieve our battle-task standards, we've also been extremely busy fighting fires and Mother Nature. Despite being a swamp, other parts of the Suffield training area is extremely dry. Every time one of the units go out for a live shoot they also cause a "little" fire. Most of the time, the fire will put itself out but it's been extremely windy the last couple of days causing the little fire to turn into an "all hands" fire-fighting drill. Unfortunately, we've also suffered some casualties due to smoke inhalation.
Speaking of suffering, the other day the wind picked up so much it caused major havoc around the camp site. As you can see from the photos, most of the camp is under modular tents. The winds were so strong, some of the modular tents which weren't firmly grounded ended up flying everywhere. One of the mods, approximately 50 feet long, was roughly thirty feet in the air before a bunch of people were able to recapture it.
On Saturday, I'll be leaving for Kingston for Information Operations training. From what I've heard the course mainly focuses on the Operational Planning Process (OPP). Just having completed AOC, this course may end up being more refresher training. Nevertheless it's an important "check in the box" since it's my prerequisite on the Road to War. In the meantime, the PRT will continue training in Suffield before I rejoin them in Medicine Hat in May (more on what we're doing in Medicine Hat in my next message).
Lastly, apologies to those of you I wasn't able to contact/meet during my brief "vacation" back home. With six days off before reporting back to Shilo, all my time was focused on Mehlin and the family. That's all for now.
God bless,
Taius aka Tripod
************************************************************************
Hugh Message
http://www.hughmessage.com/
Coldwell Banker 1st Pioneer Realty
22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 8N4
(Copy of an email received 30th March, 2009)
You may have heard the recent broadcast on Fox News about the Canadian Military. It was by far the most disrespectful broadcast ever aired. My mom, Cathie Brock, wrote an incredible letter and sent it to Fox News and local radio stations. She of course heard nothing back from Fox News but Talk 640 was so impressed with what she wrote they read it on the air and interviewed her live (and she did great). Our family is so proud of her.
For those of you who know my mom, you already know that she loves to write her letters but this one was something special. The letter has already circulated from friends to friends that my mom received an email back from a mother of a solider (whom she doesn't know), thanking her for her support. The mother has now sent it to her son in the military who is sharing it with many of our Canadian soldiers. How amazing!!!
Mom you made us proud! You said it perfectly!
Enjoy the letter!
(John Horvath)
_________________________________
Re: Fox - Red Eye Rant Against Canada
In responding to ignorance, one has to steadfastly guard against judging everyone for the very bad behavior of just a few. But today, it will take a little more effort, because today, we receive home 4 young men - fallen soldiers whose families have listened to their country and their military being mocked by a bunch of misspeaking yahoos in and around the same time period as they receive back their dead. I do not believe the comedic-challenged satirist ‘wannabe' ignoramus from Fox's Red Eye (Greg Gutball, (sic) or something) represents the majority of Americans. My fear, however, is that because so many Americans know so little about Canada and Canadians, the outrageous comments made by Mr. Gutgarp, (sic) (or something) will be accepted as factual by an unenlightened audience.
Canada, known to Mr. What's His Name as ‘that ridiculous Country' received home four fallen heroes. They died in two separate incidents while serving in the American led war in Afghanistan. The mother of one of the soldier's held her little baby as she watched her husband's casket moved from the transport plane to a hearse and with great dignity and pride, she saluted her husband, her baby's dad.
Sadly, the Fox comedic-challenged satirist wannabe ignoramus and his silly band of followers did not realize that Canada- you know that ridiculous country with no army - actually has a higher proportionate loss than the Americans. And while I suspect the following approximate statistics re military deaths in Afghanistan are not important to ‘the most powerful nation in the universe', please indulge me:
U.S.A. 300,000,000 667 military killed 2.2%
Canada 30,000,000 116 military killed 3.8 %
U.K. 60,000,000 152 military killed 2.5 %
Mr. Gutfeld, I know we're not Americans - a cross we all have to bear in this ‘ridiculous country', but we also are not the enemy. We are the ALLIES. Our loss is no less and no more significant than American families losing a solider to war. The same goes for our policemen, who are some of the best in the world. This summer, more Canadian RCMP will be traveling to Afghanistan as police mentors. But not to worry, they will leave their red jackets and horses at home.
You say you didn't mean to show disrespect. I didn't hear it that way. Your shtick wasn't funny, your timing for a Canada bash was awful, and your lack of awareness of who is actually fighting this fight is quite unbelievable given that you are on a News station.
So, today our soldiers will not get pedicures or manicures or run along beaches in white capris (???); rather some will fight, some will salute their fallen comrades, some will pack to go overseas to serve in the American led war in Afghanistan.
In the meantime, I will go to a bridge and wave a flag and salute our fallen soldiers. We do that here in Canada. Every time a fallen soldier is repatriated, we stand on the bridges along the 401 Highway - now officially named Highway of Heroes. As the Hearses pass by on their way to the Coroner's Office in Toronto, we cry and wave and salute and quietly thank our men and women for their ultimate service.
Here is a link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3IutxvltBM . Or, you can Google Highway of Heroes.
I like a good laugh - but call me ‘ridiculous' I just don't think this or you was funny.
Just my opinion,
Cathie Brock.
A "message" from Message
"Personalized Service!"
or is it
"The Dying Art."
The real beauty of our Home Buyer's Ultimate ServiceTM is a lot more than just helping the customer look for houses. It's a taking care of details. Right from the start; and, as a Buyer, it doesn't cost you anything.
How much cash you'll need for a down payment depends on a lot of variables. From your completed Buyer Preferences Outline, we'll be able to advise you on the correct price range for your income. And we keep that information confidential so you won't be dragging your financial history around to show the world.
The first step in our search is to show you all the possible neighbourhood choices. There may be several areas you'd like to live in. We'll tour them with you, and concentrate our search in the ones you like best. We'll give you neighbourhood facts which may interest you on schools, recreation, shopping and nearby civic activities.
How much yard is too much? Or not enough? Your site preferences are next in our minds. So we'll take the measurements, and you can relax. Do you need a lot of room outside for work or play... or a little?
Now that we know what your budget is, which neighbourhood you like best, and the property size you need, we'll look for specific features of the house itself. Home many bedrooms? What kind of kitchen? And so on. It's the way we plan to find the home you really want.
You don't have to look every which way for your dream house because we house-hunt for your. You're working with the oldest real estate sales organization in the world; chances are we'll have several good ones to show you.
We'll even show you homes which could be listed with our competitors. We're working for you. As your neighbourhood professional we will personally inspect all the possibilities to make sure they fit your needs. That saves you time and trouble.
Once we've found just the right one, we won't leave you stranded. We'll take you through the paperwork every step of the way. Our experience in the real estate industry will help your through to a trouble-free closing. We'll go over your agreement to purchase with you to check these things before you pick up the pen.
Does the agreement provide return of your deposit money if something should happen and you can't qualify for the loan?
Accuracy of information: Sales price, down payment, manner of financing, date of closing, clear title, and more.
When you work with us, you don't face the banker's window alone. We'll help your arrange proper financing.
We want to do the best job for you. It's our way of proving that we really are your neighbourhood professional, not only here in Langley, but also in all the surrounding communities.
Hugh Message
http://www.hughmessage.com/
604-551-6584
Coldwell Banker 1st Pioneer Realty
22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC
.
Afghanistan 5
Mar 15, 2009
Hello from Edmonton!
I arrived from Shilo last Saturday and will be in Edmonton for another week. During the first week we learned how to be Duty Officer's (DO) in a command post. For you non-military types, a command post (or CP) is the nerve centre of a unit which "controls" the action that it's involved in. Despite having extensive experience as a DO, the Army has evolved away from the pencil and paper approach, which I grew up with, and into more high-tech systems and computer software. As the Info Ops Officer I'll be focusing more on planning, by assisting the Plans Officer (G 5 for you army-types) with contingency operations (ConOps), as the action develops. Essentially, think of it as a football game. The CP is the coaching staff divided into offense, defence and special teams. The G 5 and myself try to anticipate what the "other team" might do and come up with a contingency plan should the head coach (or commander) ask for it. More importantly, this course gave me an opportunity to familiarize myself with the information systems currently being used in Afghanistan. Moreover, it was also an opportunity to establish a rapport with my counterparts at the Battle Group and higher headquarters.
This afternoon, the rest of the command team from Shilo will be arriving. Once they arrive, we'll all be attending a briefing before starting the Command Post Exercise (CPX) tomorrow morning. The purpose of this exercise is designed to help develop our battle rhythm while working as a cohesive unit. Last week, we were at the crawl-walk stage and I anticipate we'll start "running" on Monday.
Speaking of running, our training in Shilo picked up a notch last week. Prior to Edmonton, we spent the week on the ranges qualifying on basic weapons and weapons handling. Monday morning started off with a mandatory "pee" test as we all assembled into the gym as part of the military's drug test. Picture it if you will, 350 people inside a gym showing military ID before providing a sample. To ensure that there was no tampering, we were required to take our shirts off and pee in a portable urinal inside the gym. Lastly, the attached photos will give you a rough idea how cold it was on the range. As much as I enjoy doing "army stuff" I'm glad to report that I survived the cold weather and passed the necessary requirements.
If you want to know more about training for Afghanistan, may I suggest you watch Discovery Channel's show called "Army Training" or something like that on Tuesday evenings. This is a ten-part series following the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group before deploying to Afghanistan. Well, that's it for another week.
God bless,
Taius
**********************************************************************
Hugh Message
Coldwell Banker 1st Pioneer Realty
http://www.hughmessage.com/
604-551-6584
.
For Sale By Owner!
Questions you may wish to consider:
Do you know the realistic market value?
Pricing your home correctly is critical. Over pricing can stall the sale; under pricing could cheat you of earned income.
Do you know how to show your home?
Do you know the best way to dramatically play up its special features? Can you tell a "looker" from a genuine "Buyer"?
Do you know Buyers don't like to walk through a house with its Owner?
Buyers often feel inhibited, unable to say what they really thinking amongst themselves about the house; they feel they're unable to look at it as carefully as they would like to. But on the other hand, you don't want strangers walking unescorted through your house.
Do you know how to negotiate a sale?
Reaching the best agreement between Buyer & Seller can be difficult without a third party to handle the "give and take".
Do you know all the ways to finance a house?
Maybe you feel that's up to the Buyer, or perhaps they say; they need to go to their bank - what are the chances that will happen? There are more than 21 ways to finance the purchase of a house. Sometimes the difference between the best sale and a disappointment is finding financing the Buyer can afford. And that's not easy if you're not familiar with the money market.
Do you know how to market your house?
Today, many Sellers feel all they have to do is put it on the Internet. Well, that may be one way, but will it be effective. The Internet is a wonderful tool but how will you be assured that the search engines will drive Buyers to your home's feature page? There's more to selling a house than simply putting it on the Internet, and placing an ad in the local paper and a sign on the lawn!
Do you know selling a house is a full time job?
And it can be pretty inconvenient. You don't know when Buyers are going to call, so you have to wait around for them. Oh; if you have voice mail they can leave a message, but if their phone number is not clear or the time they suggested to call back is not convenient, then what? Then there are appointments for viewing to be made with more waiting for people to show up, and when they don't; what then?
Do you really save the Commission?
The common belief is that you will net more money when you sell it yourself. And Buyers also believe that when they look at FSBO's they will be able get the house for less money as they know the Seller doesn't have to pay any commission - so guess what? Who actually saves what? More importantly, and this could cost thousands of dollars more than any potential commission, is when you sell your house yourself, you are extremely vulnerable if you don't know how to draw up a proper Contract of Purchase and Sale. Your house may not stay sold because your Buyer may have a financial skeleton in their closet. Is it worth the risk of going several months into a transaction, only to discover that your Buyer was not fully qualified? And as a result, you may have missed out on a genuine because your house was tied up in a conditional contract.
As a Real Estate Professional, I've been schooled in the art of making sure you get a fair asking price; that your property is marketed to the widest range of potential Buyers, and that there will be no unpleasant surprises.
Coldwell Banker 1st Pioneer Realty offers Ultimate ServiceTM to every customer.
Hugh Message
Coldwell Banker 1st Pioneer Realty
http://www.hughmessage.com/
604-551-6584
For Sale by Owner Resource Material
.
Note that this information is outdated.
Chapter Meeting Saturday 14th of March, 2009 1300 Hours at West Villa Estates (Club House) 8560 156th Street, Surrey, BC. Dress, is casual and visitors are always welcome. Visit our Chapter Website at www.CPVA-Surrey.com
Read More
.
A Few Words About Preventing A Headache
I've mentioned a number of times on this feature that buying or selling a home is something you can do yourself, but that if you require professional help, a fully qualified real estate practitioner is trained to give you Ultimate Service®.
Their expertise will save you time, effort and headaches. As well their professional experience can help you stay within your housing budget, guide you through the intricate path to final ownership, even help find the extra financing that may be necessary for the purchase.
Your neighbourhood member of the Real Estate Board has a consumer pamphlet for Buyers, and one for Sellers, which will give you the needed background information for either situation. Stop in at their office, or call your local MLS Real Estate Board for consumer pamphlets that can make your home transaction less of a headache. Also available on line: Buyer & Seller
If you feel qualified to handle your own Real estate sale or purchase, by all means do so ...but remember ...a licensed Real Estate Agent and their assistance could prevent distress, time and money.
Hugh Message
www.HughMessage.com
Coldwell Banker 1st Pioneer Realty
22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 8N3
604-551-6584
C COY SGT MAJOR JOHN CLEE
By Billy Willbond
I went away to Florida to swim and work the muscles around each knee
And I came back to the news we had lost oue AIRBORNE's John Clee
John was an English Commando he stood tall and apart
Clee was a great soldier with a tough soldier's heart
He went to the Sergeant's Mess, in his slippers and housecoat
CFB Greisbach's SWO entered and in his book wrote a note
Clee was barred for thirty days for his improper dress
You can't wear your slippers in the Greisbach AIRBORNE Sgt's mess?
The mess was his living room, he argued his case
He didn't think being barred was really a disgrace
He had us young Sergeant's take him huge jugs of beer
To his quarters next store, upstairs to the rear
There will be great discussions in that Mess in the sky
That old band of jumpers will greet this great guy
He had a wry sense of humour - A real deadpan grin
In that heavenly mess, in his housecoat again !!
RIP Sir John ``Oh Wright lads let's all adjust our plastic frogs!``
After a canteen fight between the 1Cdo and 2Cdo lads in the Jr ranks club those with black eyes and scarred faces stood on the square and John's voice rolled across the square as he stood in front of C Coy. His lads had done well in the fracas and frey - all of us signed CDV's for the damage to the mess and hey it never even made the newspapers or TV of course that back before cam corders and telephone cameras and the English French activities of soldiers was competitive rather than hateful - these same troops patrolled the streets of Quebec during the War Measures Act. Bless them all!
Billy Willbond Canadian Soldier Poet http://iwvpa.net/willbondwha
Sat Feb 28 Saanichton BC 1102 hrs
SWO - RCAF BASE SENIOR WARRANT OFFICER
************************************************************************************************
Hugh Message
Coldwell Banker 1st Pioneer Realty
22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 8N3
604-551-6584
.
THE FORGOTTEN CANADIANS
Here's an ode to the guys who wear the Blue Beret
Folks who keep the peace, and are often away
Back they return from each foreign war
Clean up their gear then they're gone like before.
Canadians don't say it - we don't speak out loud
But, of those young folks, we are all very proud.
They hail from the prairies, big cities, small towns
Nine of them died when their plane was shot down.
Many are buried in graves overseas
There were no body bags for young heroes like these
No family pensions - perhaps, just regrets
Sure they're only Peacekeepers and not really Vets?
In some Books Of remembrance in Ottawa town
Soldiers of War have their names written down
None are Peacekeepers, listed in the Peace Tower
If you wonder why, please ask those in power.
Decoste, Isfeld, Gunther and Flint
And more than a hundred Canadian men
In the service of peace they gave up their lives
At least list their names for their parents and wives.
Make a Book of Remembrance to Peacekeepers who died
It will give us some closure, some comfort, some pride
List in it the names of Peacekeepers we've lost
Let Canadians know: 'PEACE HAS A HIGH COST!'
Author’s Note: The Canadian Department of Veteran Affairs reports that there will be a Book of Remembrance to fallen Peacekeepers in the Ottawa Peace Tower by Remembrance Week, November 11, 2005
Income and Outgo
Our old friend, Mr. Macawber, in the Dickens' classic David Copperfield, said: "Annual income twenty pounds... annual expenditures, nineteen and six; result... Happiness! Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds, ought and six; result... Misery!"
In the modern world, though we seem to live on credit and time payments, Mr. Macawber's financial theory is still valid. If individuals, provincial governments and federal governments spend more each year than they take in, the result is "misery".
Those people who criticize governments for wanting to create a pay-as-you-go policy should seriously consider the implications of provincial outgo exceeding income... results; MISERY!
Hugh Message
Coldwell Banker 1st Pioneer Realty
22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 8N3
604-551-6584
.
One is a Lonely Number
I wonder how many people appreciate the fact, that they're pretty vulnerable when they put up a "For Sale by Owner" sign. I'm not talking so much about today's society but rather, it's almost impossible for the average home owner to judge who's coming to view their home until they arrive. Buyers, will no doubt exaggerate the weak points of the Seller's house. They will ask those embarrassing questions about the Seller's financing, interest rates and pay off penalties and that's only the beginning.
I've found a cute poem which deals with this problem and I want to share it with you:
Your house is perfection, a positive dazzle,
It took you a week and you're worn to a frazzle,
You've patched up the plaster and hidden the leaks,
And detoured the living room floor where it squeaks,
The "Ad's" in the paper, you're hoping to sell,
Today is the day and you wait for the bell.
Then it begins - there's knock at the door,
A couple of men and behind them more,
They're coming in droves and it's too good to be true,
You're right! They are Real Estate men after you.
You shut them all out and the telephone rings -
It's a Real Estate lady asking you things!
Next comes the "lookers" who poke through your drawers,
Sneer at your colour scheme, track up your floors.
Then comes the "Buyers", willing they say,
To move in tomorrow (if they don't have to pay),
Or they'll go get the cash, so consider it sold,
But they never come back and you're out in the cold.
At last you're so weary, you crawl into bed,
But you're dreading tomorrow and what lies ahead,
You try counting sheep, but give up and then - -
Count the "lookers" and "buyers" and Real Estate men.
(Author Unknown)
Today; with a sagging market in most areas, sales may seem almost impossible. But I can assure that is not the case. And unlike some places we hear about in the news, prices have not fallen through the roof. However, prices have fallen from their peak in April 2008, but for most people there's still a lot of equity in their current home, and no doubt, they will receive a tidy profit if they were to sell now. Take a moment to view current active listings in you area at http://www.lowermainlandproperties.org/
Hugh Message
Coldwell Banker 1st Pioneer Realty
22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 8N3
604-551-6584
.
BEING A MOTHER...
After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.'
* * *
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years, but the demands of my work and my two boys had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
* * *
That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.
* * *
'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?
* * *
My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.
* * *
'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.' She thought about it for a moment, and then said, 'I would like that very much.'
* * *
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last birthday on November 19th.
* * *
She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. 'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said, as she got into that new white van. 'They can't wait to hear about our date'...
* * *
We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded.
* * *
During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.
* * *
As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed.
* * *
'How was your dinner date?' asked my wife when I got home. 'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.
* * *
A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.
* * *
Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.'
* * *
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.'
* * *
Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is history.
* * *
Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct. Somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.
* * *
Somebody said being a mother is boring... somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.
* * *
Somebody said if you're a ‘good' mother, your child will 'turn out good'... somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.
* * *
Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother... somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.
* * *
Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first.... somebody doesn't have two children.
* * *
Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery... somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten; or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'
* * *
Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married....somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.
* * *
Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home...somebody never had grandchildren.
* * *
Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.... somebody isn't a mother.
* * *
Hugh Message
Coldwell Banker 1st Pioneer Realty
22424 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 8N3
604-551-6584