Between the Slide and the Skytrain

I am writing this as I sit on a plane heading to the West Coast to visit my grandson. This is a joyous trip. As I’ve said to many of my friends and acquaintances, I don’t recall my own children in the various stages of development as I do my grandson. The reasons are many and obvious.

Both my spouse and I worked full time. I spent much of my time away from home as I travelled extensively for work. I was busy.

So, as I said, a joyous trip. I anticipate some long walks, lots of laughter; even a trip (or two)

down the slide. This visit comes at a good time. I’m at crossroads over a number of different things, including my writing. As I’ve said before, when I wrote The Perfect Circus (now re-titled The Perfect Circus - Redux), an apocalyptic novel of a world essentially destroyed by nuclear conflict, it seemed a very far-fetched possibility. Even the sequel (even more depressing than the first novel, and the book I’m debating on self-publishing) was written when glasnot was the reality.

So much has changed. I feel like my generation owes an apology to those that have followed. That somehow we should have foreseen this and prevented it from happening. I’m not sure how, but surely we could have done something.

If the world situation, with wars in Europe and the Middle East wasn’t enough, I’m watching with a strong sense of foreboding as young people despair whether they will ever be able to afford a home, even a family. They question the impact of AI on their lives and whether jobs Baby Boomers like me took for granted will even exist in a few years (or a few months). I’m not alone in this. Please see Paul Kershaw’s opinion piece in the Globe and Mail from April 4, 2026, entitled: Young Canadians are more miserable. Government priorities show why.

I look at our governments and I can’t help but question their priorities. Again, full disclosure, at various times I worked at all three levels of government in Canada (municipal, provincial and federal), and I have an inherent respect for our politicians, and especially, our civil servants.

Having said that, I question current priorities. Should our focus not be on the very basics, which if addressed properly, create the foundation for people to succeed? I would urge our political leadership (and their advisors) to read the work of Amartya Sen, the Indian economist who won the Nobel prize for economics in 1998. His work, to be simplistic, focused on the poor and disadvantaged and on how we can do much better. And, frankly, we do need to do much better.

So - a break.

After four fun and full days, I’m now on the return flight. I was right to anticipate the walks, the laughter and numerous runs down the slide. However, there were a few surprises.

It started on the Skytrain which I enjoy taking when I arrive in Vancouver. I hadn’t factored in

that it would be rush hour so I was left standing, shoulder bag in place and carry-on luggage at my feet. About twenty minutes into the trip, a young woman caught my eye, raised an eyebrow and indicated her seat. It took me a few seconds to clue-in that she was offering her seat as it was designated for people with disabilities and seniors. I thanked her for her kindness and declined.

I didn’t think much of it until I caught the Expo line to New Westminster. If anything, it was even more crowded. Then, deja-vu, but this time it was a woman in her forties. She gently touched my hand and indicated her seat. I thanked her as well, and was then left wondering for the rest of the trip, ‘Heck, am I now officially old?’ (It is incumbent upon me to acknowledge and thank both individuals for their thoughtfulness. Many would have been grateful to take advantage of their offer(s)).

I realize none of this draws a straight line back to the musings about my writing; the world

situation, or the fun times with my grandson. But it can’t help but provide perspective. As much as I feel good, am healthy, and can still generally do what I want, the reality is the horizon is much closer than it used to be. Which then raises the question: What do I want to do with my remaining time? What brings joy and satisfaction. And once I figure that out, what does it mean for my writing?

To put it another way, a very good friend who I lost much too early used to say: ‘There are

people who get to the pearly gates without a scratch or a scar, and there are others who arrive, squealing to a stop and exclaim ‘What a ride!’ (needless to say, my friend was in the latter category - rest in peace, Jim).

Decisions ahead. More to come on my next blog.

(I can’t end this without some ‘free’ advice for those who may be in the Vancouver area this

coming year. Full disclosure - I do not work, nor am I paid by Tourism B.C. - (though I am open to payment or payment in kind). If you want a wonderful, inexpensive experience I would strongly recommend the Quay to Quay Ferry in New Westminster. It is a pure fun and

memorable boat ride on the Fraser River between downtown New Westminster, home to the

largest tin solider in the world to Queensborough where you can walk along the boardwalk and see the sights. If you are lucky, during your journey, you will have as your co-pilot the one and only Navy.