Our journey took another major turn through grief and relief on the first day of 2023. (more…)
Jennifer PahlMarch 23, 2023
Around 5 AM on Saturday December 5, 2020, alarm bells rang out to the New York City Fire Department. There was a fire at the corner of 48th East and 7th St. The fire department was on the scene three minutes later, but it was too late to save the beautiful sanctuary of Middle Church. (more…)
Bob JonesDecember 9, 2020
We've all watched in shocked horror as a Canadian Forces Snowbird fell from the sky over Kamloops, BC Sunday morning. Just two days earlier Jocelyn and I stood with pride as the jets roared over our home in St Albert and neighbourhoods in Edmonton. (more…)
Bob JonesMay 17, 2020
Rick and Kay Warren were devastated when their 27-year old son Matthew committed suicide in April 2013. Their grief was unimaginable. Matthew had suffered from depression all of his life. In September 2013 the Warrens gave their first public interview with CNN. Piers Morgan called it “one of the most moving interviews I conducted in my life.” (more…)
Bob JonesMarch 1, 2020
At the halfway marker of a 10km fundraiser, a volunteer observed the pair of running shoes hanging around my neck and made an astute guess. “You must be running for someone today.” (more…)
Bob JonesFebruary 24, 2020
Their deaths gutted our world. Each one passed away as a result of cancer and died in our arms. The associated grief was surprisingly intense. It was so intense that I was embarrassed I could feel so deeply about pets - Tammy... Sprite... Silver. They were Goldens and like family. (more…)
Bob JonesAugust 1, 2019
I never thought life would lead me to this moment in a million years. Ours was the “perfect” life. My wife walked with amazing courage and an attitude void of fear as she battled strokes and years later, cancer. When Heroes Fall But deep inside, like all of us, doubt and fear would creep in. My wife’s life was about to end. The courage and fearless fortitude it must have taken to accept her death and then to take her final breath is beyond my understanding. My wife was, and still is my hero. The fearless love we shared makes me stronger when I see her in that light. I look at what I had in life, and not what…
Bob JonesMay 16, 2018
The “first” first, was a hockey game in September 2014 and it wasn’t by any means welcomed. My daughter Shyla wore her dad’s jersey for warm up and I didn’t make it through the second period. The inaugural normal was even before the funeral and was followed by many unsought more. Recitals, hockey games, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and even a high school graduation all came and went without him. Alisha writes with a gentle vulnerability. If you allow her to, she'll bring you along on a journey through the hardest time of her life. She helps me be a better pastor. I see life and faith through her eyes. Alisha became a single mom on September 18/2014 very suddenly. With…
Bob JonesApril 6, 2016
My life changed forever January 27, 2004. My son Ryan was twenty when he was killed by a drunk driver. Your heart knows a pain like no other. Burying your child is the most painful, unimaginable day you will ever endure. Something that is so wrong in so many ways. Your mind is a whirling blur, yet it is ever hopeful that at any moment now, you will awake and find that this is all a nightmare...a mother’s - a parent’s - worst nightmare. I'm grateful to my friend Jane Burak for writing this letter. The Burak and Jones families enjoyed cheering on our sons as teammates through elementary grades to senior high. We were devastated when a call came…
Bob JonesFebruary 28, 2016