By Gloria Aykroyd
SEVENTY-THREE years ago, I was born ten weeks premature, 3 lbs. 4 oz., and not expected to live. My dad, an underground miner at INCO in Sudbury, was in the Toronto General Hospital with a broken back, his second time, fearing he would likely never walk again. Mom and my older three siblings at home.
When doctors told mom I was not going to live, my uncle paid to have my dad transported to Sudbury, to see me and say goodbye. They called me “Gloria”, to give glory to God for my birth, praying for my survival. My mom’s faith never waivered through all of that, and throughout her life. She was my faith guide, my angel on earth.
Dad did walk again, and I lived. One time when I was five or six, in hospital because of asthma, a nurse, who to me seemed really mean, told me to stop crying. When I told mom, she said whenever I was feeling alone or afraid to talk to Jesus, that he was always by my side. It worked!
Many experiences prepared me to choose social work as a career. I first worked at the Children’s Aid Society in 1974, then at the HIV / Infectious Diseases Care Programme at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London in 1991.
A number of my clients had felt abandoned by their church, by their God and were able to talk about it. I faced many challenges, but also was so blessed. Attending International AIDS Conferences broadened my knowledge and wisdom about AIDS. In 2000, in South Africa, I was in an auditorium with 20,000 others. The chanting in of Nelson Mandela, a man of faith who came out of jail after many years teaching love and justice, not vengeance, touched my soul. Another time I attended a private meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu when he came to St. Joseph’s. He held my hand and thanked me for my work. What a humble man, full of faith and love.
Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Tutu! The only other person I wanted to meet in person was Jesus, but not quite yet.
Married fifty years, I know God chose Bob for me. We made it through his first heart attack over three years ago and then recently his second. We made it through heart wrenching circumstances with our two daughters, but got through it with Jesus by our side. Our oldest had a catastrophic ruptured brain aneurism and fought to live. Forever changed, including from a recent scare, God knows what his plans are for her. Our youngest has been diagnosed with a condition that has known risks for stroke and aneurisms, but at this time she is doing well, thanks be to God.
As human beings we all have a need for connection. Knowing prayers have been said for us has been a huge comfort. As we pray for one another it strengthens our own faith. Through good times, and hard times, we pray. We don’t always get the outcome we hope for, but we know He is by our side.
As part of our Lenten Bible Study in 2023, Father Osita asked each of us to do our own statement of faith, our own creed. Here is mine:
I believe God that you were sad with the state of our world and your children.
I believe you were willing to save us by sending your Son Jesus to be borne by Mary and raised as human so people could see and witness your glory.
I believe you loved us so much that you sacrificed your son for us – for all time, for all people, whomever.
I believe Jesus is the risen Lord and when we follow your word and repent, all our sins are forgiven.
I believe that upon my human death I will rise in glory to be with you.
I believe you are with me all the time.
I believe you chose Bob to be my faith sharing husband.
I believe you have been present in the sparing and ongoing healing of our daughter Vanessa.
I believe you kept me alive to be her mother. I know you have plans for her and for me.
I believe you chose me to be Meredith’s mother.
You know what I believe God! There is so so so much more. I will continue to talk with you God, but I will listen more than I will talk.
Thank you Father! Amen!
Gloria Aykroyd is a parishioner of St. John's, Tillsonburg.