CURRENTS is the official newsletter of the Credit River PROBUS Club. It is published monthly and emailed to members to keep them abreast of club activities and to promote the club’s central objectives. Submissions are welcome as are new ideas and should be emailed to Lydia Koop, lydia04@rogers.com.

President’s Message

My hope is constant in thee” Motto of the MacDonald Clan, Cape Breton, N. S.

The Irish rock group U2’s 1991 album Achtung Baby features Bono singing One. He sings of the struggles and challenges inherent in human connections. The song invites listeners to consider the importance of compassion, understanding, and the responsibility that comes with love.

Alistair MacLeod’s 1999 novel No Great Mischief furthers these themes. It is the story of the MacDonald Clan of Cape Breton, N.S. Alexander MacDonald, a middle-aged dentist, is closest to his older brother Calum, who, after a hard life, has become a homeless victim of alcoholism living in poverty in downtown Toronto. Alexander regularly visits and cares for him. Orphaned at a young age, they and their other siblings were raised mainly by their grandparents.

The story is really about the love that exists in that extended MacDonald clan. We hear the words of the grandparents who, down through the years, have survived hardships, loss and tragedy; we also read about their wisdom and thoughtfulness as they guide and care for their grandchildren. We hear Alexander’s grandmother reminding him to, “Always look after your blood.”

The family remembers their heritage and language: their traditions tell them that, “’Gaelic’ or ‘Irish’ was the language spoken in the garden of Eden… it was the language that God used when speaking to the angels.” And “home” was everything to them. Whenever the grandfather crossed the Canso Causeway onto Cape Breton, he would always say, “Thank Christ to be home again. Nothing bad can happen to us now.” They persevere through the hardships of life with love. But not in isolation: in the MacDonald clan, it’s love combined with acceptance, forgiveness, and support.

Most of us are parents and grandparents. Many of us come from overseas with long and complex histories. We are aware of the influences of our heritages. These stories resonate with us, and we think of Bono’s themes: love, family, forgiveness, acceptance and support. At the end of the story, the dying Calum phones Alexander: “It’s time. Time to go.” Returning to the land of their birth, Alexander takes his dying brother back to his birthplace and final resting place on Cape Breton. The novel ends with the words, “Ferry the dead. Fois do t’anam. Peace to his soul. All of us are better when we’re loved.”

Bob Warren – President Credit River Probus

You can find this month’s complete issue and past editions of CURRENTS here.

Read your copy of CURRENTS or see the web to find out more about  Activities,  Events,  and Travel in our club.

Direct comments about CURRENTS to Lydia Koop, lydia04@rogers.com. If you need to be sent another copy of CURRENTS please email crprobus@gmail.com.