St. Mary's Church, Negambo, Sri Lanka  RULE OF LIFE … THE HOLY SPIRIT Good morning Holy Spirit I dedicate this new day to one of love, prayer, suffering, sacrifice and service while controlling my tongue by being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.   I journey this day to holiness with a lively faith, unwavering trust, with the fruits of patience, peace and humility.  I seek the gifts of wisdom, discernment, knowledge and understanding; with a heart of charity, kindness, mercy and forgiveness.  I will move and live in your Spirit; then there is no danger of my giving into the impulses of corrupt nature.  Holy Spirit I ask this day your harvest of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, forbearance, gentleness, faith, courtesy, temperateness, purity for your Spirit is the rule of my life. I will strive not to use harmful words when talking trying always to cultivate good in the heart of the one who hears my words....

DAYS GONE BY I am a baby boomer and my post war childhood was free, playful, and full of love.   My biggest decisions rested mostly on playtime and what’s there to eat.   My family of five consisted of my parents, me (the oldest) and two brothers.   My paternal grandparents lived on our three acre farm in a small home of their own.   My father worked two jobs, my grandpa took care of the farm, including chickens, a calf, Sam the lamb, two hunting beagles, a few goats and a huge garden.  My grandmother (in picture with me) and mom sold roasting chickens, eggs and preserved the produce from the garden for winter consumption. Life was simple! My childhood was worry free therefore, I was afford such carefree times of snowy winters of building snowmen, snowball fights and a host of activities the imagination of a child to produce soaked wet clothes, red face and runny nose. Summer’s allowed us children to run in the rain on a hot summer day with un...