I am not an expert in religions of the world. Being of European decedents and living in a small village in central Canada, I grew up with a very narrow understanding of various Christian religions such as Lutheran, Catholic, United, Baptist, Ukrainian Catholic, Presbyterian, etc. From a child’s point of view pretty basic. Ten commandments. Heaven and hell. Good and bad. And then just a bunch of rituals, singing, and fancy stuff.

My parents were Swedish Lutheran and Irish Protestant. When they discussed baptizing my brother it started an argument. Dad said the Irish have been fighting for centuries over religion. So they left it for us to decide.

When I was four my grandfather came to live with us. He would play solitaire for hours. Beating the devil if he could. I cheered every time he beat the devil. I learned how to count and add using cards. He was prepping me for crib. He looked like Santa Claus. White hair and beard. Round belly and hardy laugh. From what I learned years later, he had been a tyrant as a father and husband. But I was his buddy.

The subject of the bible came up. One always sat on the shelf in the living room. Grandpa said that God spoke to some men. About three thousand years ago those men attempted to write out books in their language on scrolls. Those men then took the scrolls, which were translated into Latin by priests. Six hundred years after the New Testament was completed, the Quoran was written.

Then men, supposedly guided by God, copied and translated and interpreted what God meant.

But all you have to remember Carol is to be good. Be kind. Be caring and compassionate. Four simple steps. God is smiling if you do them.

Seemed too simple compared to the big book with tiny print. But it stuck. Everything else I questioned.

My grandpa died of a stroke when I was almost six. The only time I seen my Mom cry is when she got off the phone call from the hospital. There was a lot of talk of heaven. That’s where people went when they died. Yes we buried them in the cemetery but then they go to heaven. Okay got it. Not really dead. Just go to another planet above the clouds and live there.

That July a Robin hit our big picture window. I ran out. The bird’s neck was limp. It sure was dead. So I went to the side of the house and dug a grave. I placed the robin in it and covered it up. I waited three days because someone said it takes a few days to rise to heaven. That hot afternoon I dug up the robin. To my horror all I could see was feathers and maggots.

My Mom calmed me by explaining about body and soul. But the nightmares lasted a while.

Around 9/10 I went to Sunday School and Bible Camp. Interesting. But I didn’t have fancy dresses for church so I only went once in a while with the neighbours.

I can remember getting into an argument with my best friend, a dedicated Ukrainian Catholic girl, who bragged about getting her confirmation gown, presents, and communion. My rebuttal was the following: You have to talk to your priest in a box. I talk directly to God!! So there!!!

Through the years I have attended services at Synagogues, Catholic, Jehovah Witness, Protestant, etc. churches. I toured the Vatican and seen opulent churches throughout Europe.

It all confused me. I realized I better understood the feeling I had in the forest. By a river or lake. Walking on a mountain. Swimming off a tropical beach. This was a beautiful creation that I get to love. Flowers, trees, a bright blue sky. A warm fire. Ice cold water to drink.

Every human needs hope and faith. Without it we have no purpose. I pray to a Creator/God.

I am pretty special. Two eyes, two ears, two kidneys, and a pretty well functioning body. I can think, plan, dream, and love. I have everything here on earth to survive. And I must care for my environment and world. Something must have had a means to create us. Something stronger than ourselves. Now it’s my time to use all the gifts given to me. My mind and body. The world and all of humanity. I have to do my best.

I do try to honour the Seven Teachings of the indigenous peoples in my area. Courage, Honesty, Humility, Love, Respect, Truth, and Wisdom. Again they are simple. I believe that if anything you do brings you peace and joy, it must be a gift of God/Creator. Creator loves you. Continue to spread that simple faith. Let it make you stronger. Have people in your life that have faith and hope in themselves. Share your hope and faith. Be kind. Be caring. Be compassionate. Be good. Keep it simple.

May I be safe. May I be healthy. May I be happy. May I live with ease.