Enjoy reading Ronald's latest story entitled Chad here.
It is an honour to feature this sixth and final contribution from Ronald Mackay in our 2019 Authors Showcase. Enjoy reading Ronald's latest story entitled Chad here. During the ’80s and the ’90s, Ronald Mackay combined mixed farming in Ontario with teaching at Concordia University in Montreal in the neighbouring province of Quebec. It was a time when traditional farmers were retiring, commercial farms were growing in size, and technology was taking over from more conventional methods that relied principally on human labour. During these years he hired many young people on a casual basis to help with the seasonal work of stone-picking, hay-making, the management of cattle and of the myriad tasks it takes to keep a 100-acre farm viable. Never having had any children of his own, he took an interest in many of the young people who worked for him and, where he could, gave them encouragement and the benefit of experience and what little wisdom he possesses. Some still keep in touch.
9 Comments
Nancy McBride
6/9/2019 09:55:48 pm
hanks for sharing this story. It was so poignant. Ronald was there for him, nevertheless.
Reply
Ronald Mackay
7/9/2019 01:33:35 pm
Thanks Nancy. People need people.
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Euan Lindsay-Smith
6/9/2019 11:51:16 pm
Sad, and touching story which really brings to mind the need for us all to be less judgmental and more tolerant to others who are trying to cope in a difficult world.
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Ronald Mackay
7/9/2019 01:36:10 pm
Thanks, Euan. It's so much easier to be judgemental than understanding, isn't it? Alas, having a deep understanding and acting appropriately on that understanding are different things. My actions have never seemed to adequately match the needs.
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Viviana Galleno
7/9/2019 12:33:47 pm
A memorable example of the need every human being has for understanding and their basic longing to be guided in a loving way. A reminder not only to parents but to all to adults of the responsibility they bear for extending compassion and constructive support to the children in their lives, whether they be their own or someone else's.
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Ronald Mackay
7/9/2019 01:37:34 pm
Thanks for your observation Viviana. You, Viviana, understand it because it is how you, personally act. An admirable quality.
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8/9/2019 10:50:13 pm
I've read this twice now and found the storytelling to be expertly controlled and the insights into what shapes people, not least the expectations of the parents, so true. For example, the reaction of the parents when Ronald knocks. I agree with Euan, above!
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Syd Blackwell
11/9/2019 10:16:11 pm
From needs to hopes to an empty end, a human story masterfully told.
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Palmer Acheson
14/9/2019 07:15:59 am
This was a jewel of a story, Ron. From the beginning, I had a foreboding that Chad's story would not end well. Knowing how dangerous motorbikes are (I had six as a teenager, each one bigger than the last, and came off a couple of times), I felt I knew what was going to happen. This was a jewel of a story because of the deep psychological insight into the two protagonists. I felt that you looked deeply into yourself and into Chad. Absolute authenticity!
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