Author Archives: iharriott

Even though the world continues to move on, not too long ago my father Frederick Harriott passed and that reality still remains quite stationary for me.  How have I been navigating this loss as a man, and what has been going on? I am not versed in astronomy, other than a fondness for science fiction,Continue reading “My Journey of Loss”

Today is a milestone.  It’s not often that one turns 50, but then again, I guess if time travel isn’t an available option, I suppose you only have one shot at it… I began to ponder this calendar-ic event (I know that’s not a real word) since the dawn of the new year and thereContinue reading “My Birthday Blog”

Frederick Harriott: “A Man Who Chose the Best” FAMILY | STRENGTH | FAITH 1939 – 2021 The Times… Frederick Harriott did not choose the era in which he was born …  In 1939, Europe was on the brink of a global war.  The world was just rousing itself from a decade of depression, drought, unemploymentContinue reading “My Father’s Eulogy”

My wife and I like to spend time together and we usually watch a series of some sort. Not too long ago we started watching The Crown. (I suppose that it has even become more relevant when we consider the passing of Prince Phillip back in April of this year.) As a historian, I takeContinue reading “Tough as Nails”

Abundant Life Gospel Centre (formerly Erie Street Gospel Centre) is a white unassuming building on an obscure street in South Oshawa.  (Although, I suppose if you’re from the GTA, everywhere in the Durham Region seems mysterious). During the COVID pandemic, physical places became a missed commodity, even though we recognize that people are the onesContinue reading “A Place of Mentorship”

I was speaking to a single mom some time ago, and she spoke rather candidly about the frustration she was experiencing with the father of her son.  And rightly so, since he was failing on many fronts. She was also somewhat deflated by the short comings of numerous (it seemed) poor fathering examples (of men)Continue reading “Complicated Men”

One of the key things about understanding the Genesis Man is that we are tasked with living out, and living in specific relationship Roles. We may be husbands, fathers and mentors, but also important is our role as friends. I would argue that just as boys need the influence of men to grow and beContinue reading “We Need A Few Good Men”

More often than not, it is difficult to find a man who wants to honestly share his struggles with others. I get it, it’s hard, and we want to feel strong and in control. The reality, however, is that we need to talk about our personal challenges and victories, and others benefit from hearing theseContinue reading “Uncomfortable Questions and Necessary Answers”

During WW2 more than 100 million people from 30 nations were involved in a conflict that played out in the theaters of land, air and sea. “Men fought in almost every part of the world, on every continent except Antarctica. Chief battlegrounds included Asia, Europe, North Africa, the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and the MediterraneanContinue reading “Convoy Systems”

I went to university not only to be a teacher, but to be a band teacher. Music education was the goal of my career -although for the last half of it has been teaching history – but that’s beside the point. Teaching beginner music was always fun, but young musicians had the potential of aContinue reading “Be the Snare Drum”