Post 18/2025 Goshen, Indiana: What do you do when there’s a traffic backup for miles before you get to the Blue Water Bridge crossing from Port Huron, Michigan to Ontario? On the morning of May 21 we came upon such a scene, unlike any we’d seen before.

We had a split-second chance to divert to the downtown entrance to the bridge, only to see, by the looks of it, that it has been closed for a long time. An attendant at the nearby gas station gave us a slip of paper with directions returning us to the original backup queue, which in the meantime had grown maybe a mile longer.

Another split-second decision: let’s head to the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit. Minutes later I modified that to crossing the St. Clair River on the Walpole Algonac Ferry. That was closer, less traffic, a plan. The 10 to 15 minute crossing is to the First Nation reserve of Walpole Island. From there we could whisk cross-country to Stratford–adding miles of course, but next to no traffic on backroads rich with rural scenes, giving us a timely check-in at our B&B.

What held up traffic between Port Huron and Sarnia? We found out next day that a semi-truck had run into another semi-truck and one of the trucks burst into flame. I also later learned that work has just started on a major, multi-year reconstruction of the Blue Water Bridge Plaza in Port Huron. No more slips of paper (eventually) of rerouting instructions.

We were glad to go a little bit loopy.

We saw three shows at two of the four venues that make up the Stratford Festival of Canada. Among the three: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Anne of Green Gables, Annie, Annie topped the playbill. Set in the Depression Era, Director and Choreographer Donna Feore notes, “Annie’s journey is filled with many, many challenges but her response to those challenges is to stand up, speak up and carry on.” She adds, “I want to be Annie when I grow up!”

In program notes, Feore writes, “Annie is an orphan. By herself in the world, she faces a very real struggle for survival.

“A child alone lacks protection and guidance unless someone steps in to care for them. Maybe that act involves love or just simple decency, but that support makes all the difference.

“Where we came from and where we want to go define who and what we aspire to be–our vision shapes us. Annie has only her ‘imagined’ parents and past to shape her vision, yet her choices always assume wonderful prospects. She embodies the best of every human reaction to adversity and she speaks to us in a language so simple and clear that it’s hard to deny her power.”

The young performers did an amazing job in singing, speaking, dancing, performing acrobatics–immersing the audience in drama. They ferried us to a world of hope seen through the eyes of the innocent.

Besides the pleasures of stage and city, we had a wonderful evening at the home of brother and sister-in-law Mark and Christa. With siblings and a few other relatives we feasted, told stories, caught up, just enjoyed each other’s company. It was a stage where we all played a part.

We left early on Sunday to attend a Celebration of Life service for Mark Mishler, age 35, who died May 16 after a nine-year battle with glioblastoma brain cancer. After he was no longer able to work, he lived with his parents Kent and Carla in Howe, Indiana. Kent is Marty’s nephew. The service was held at Shore Church, Shipshewana. Mark worked as a diesel mechanic, then joined the U.S. Army with the hopes of becoming a helicopter pilot.

From the obituary: “Though he was unable to work following his surgery, Mark always made himself available to help friends, family members, and people in the community in any way he could. He exemplified a servant’s heart to those around him. He sought out other glioblastoma patients in an effort to offer encouragement to them and their families. He was always willing to share his testimony with anyone who would listen, giving all the glory to God.”

I last had an in-depth conversation with Mark 10 months ago at a family gathering. Mark was an extraordinary person with a positive, faith-centered outlook on life, who found joy and purpose even through his latter challenging years.

Heads up. Be a little loopy.

-John