Most of us are familiar with the story of Noah's Ark. Parables from the bible, myths, folktales, books, movies — even the daily events we retell — are stories we remember and think about. Our curiosity about why and how things happen, leads us to search for meaning in the form of morals, lessons or insights. We do that with both complex and simple stories. To demonstrate what I mean, here’s what an unknown author says he learned from the complex story of Noah and the Ark, then I’ll share the insights I gleaned from a simple event that happened today.

When I was a youngster, it seemed to me my dad was hard on me. Whenever I expressed one viewpoint, he argued the opposite. It seemed our communication was always point and counterpoint.  It was painful to be constantly challenged by a man whose approval meant so much to me. I found my child’s mind questioning my logic and his love.

When my grandfather was a new immigrant to Canada, he arrived with just enough money to buy a few chickens and a rooster. He was trained as a butcher in the old country, and his poultry purchases were part of his plan for the family to survive and thrive in their new world. My father told me stories about how, as the youngest child, it was his job to help his mother feed and clean up after their always-hungry, always-pooping, always-growing, flock of chickens. So imagine my surprise when I read this article written by Bill Gates.

Flowers enchant me. From the youngest bud to the most mature flower, there's a message about life for us to discern. Here's a photo essay on life in bloom, with commentary by selected artists and poets.

This long weekend includes Memorial Day; a day dedicated to honoring those who fought and died so we can be free. What a sacrifice - to give one's life, and be willing to take the lives of others, so we can live in peace. As a child, I memorized this poem written by John McCrae, a Canadian soldier, who fought in World War I in the Flanders region of Belgium. Maybe you memorized it too. The message still haunts me.