ARCH

ONE THOUSAND TREESFACILITATING WELLNESS

THROUGH CONNECTION, CREATIVITY, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

PUBLISHERLisa Browning

EDITORIAL STAFFDave Derraugh, Danielle Hughes, Kathryn O’Brien,

Kayleigh Radatus, Shannon Tracey-Boggess,

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORSKristen Feduck, Jill Michelle, Christine Nightingale, Bob Smith, Sandra Wilson

COVER PHOTOGRAPHYSandra Wilson

“The Illuminative Forest of Storytelling Trees” exhibit at The Museum, Kitchener

ONE THOUSAND TREESEmail: lisa@onethousandtrees.com

Phone: 519-362-5494

One Thousand Trees is published monthly. Submissions for Feature Articles (based on the monthly theme)or Regular Departments are due on the 20th of the month prior to each publication. Full ProductionSchedule, including summary of monthly themes, can be found at

www.onethousandtrees.com/magazine.html

Please submit by email, either in the body of your message, or as a Word doc attachment, by the above-stated deadlines. Please do not send PDFs. First-time writers for One Thousand Trees are asked to senda brief (two to three sentence) bio, and a head shot in JPEG format.

All rights reserved. Articles cannot be reprinted without the written consent of the Publisher.

ONE THOUSAND TREESMARCH 2018

THE HEALING POWER OF ART

FEATURE ARTICLES:

CRANES,by Marilyn Helmer 2

DEPARTMENTS: (bolded articles are monthly features)

CONNECTIONS-- The Month in Review, by Lisa Browning 12-- Dear Angels, by Jill Michelle 6-- Spirit Babies, by Christine Nightingale 9

CREATIVITY & THE ARTS

-- Art Journeying for the Soul, by Andrea Lines-Botell 1-- Creativity and Connection, by Kayleigh Radatus 13-- Why I Love to Illustrate Children’s Books, by Shannon Tracey-Boggess 11-- My Adventure Called Life: Life is the Art, and You Are the Masterpiece, by Sandra Wilson 4

GIVING BACK

-- Volunteer Profile: Kevin and Noah Sharpen, by Kristen Feduck 16-- Volunteering in Southwestern Ontario 16

HEALTH & WELLBEING

-- Bring Joy Into Your Life With Art, by Marion Reidel 14

THE LIBRARY

-- BL-INK, a poem by Francine Lee 17-- The Story Behind the Story: All Right So Far, by Sheila Balls 18-- Slices of Life: Wallflowers, a short story by Bob Smith 8

Art Journeying for the Soul, p 1 Bring Joy Into Your Life with Art, p 14

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS

Kristen FeduckVolunteer Profile

Kristen works at United WayWaterloo Region Communities,where she promotes volunteerism inCambridge and North Dumfries.When she’s not doing that, she

enjoys spending time at home with her husband anddaughter.

Marilyn HelmerCranes

Marilyn is the award-winning authorof many children's books includingpicture books, early chapters, retoldfairy tales, riddle books and novels.Her short stories, poetry and articles

have appeared in numerous children's magazines andanthologies in Canada and the United States and herpenchant for entering writing contests has resulted insuccess with short adult fiction as well. You can visit herwebsite at www.marilynhelmer.com.

Sheila BallsThe Story Behind the Story

Author, musician, and teacher, Sheila’swriting ranges from nostalgia tophilosophical musings to humour, andis largely inspired by experiences inthe woods above beautiful Bass Lake

near Georgian Bay. Published books are Somebody Movethe Cat! (ISBN 1-896922-27-9) and Our Side of the Fence(ISBN 0-9738935-0-8). Upcoming: All Right So Far.

F.H. (Francine) LeeBL-INK

Francine writes from Oxford County,Ontario, Canada. She embraces thenatural world like kin, and has hadsuccess with writing contests,published (online and print format)

poetry, short fiction, and non-fiction, dating back thirtyodd years.

Andrea Lines-BotellArt Journeying for the Soul

Andrea offers gentle support to othersthrough her coaching company TheLeaning Tree. Many modalities areavailable including art, mindfulnesstechniques and supportive tools for

change. With a vast training background in conflict, crisisand mindfulness, Andrea's passion is to help others findtheir own solutions for inner peace and betterment. Formore information visit www.leaningtreecoaching.ca.

Jill MichelleDear Angels

Jill Michelle has been communicatingwith angels for most of her life. She isan angel reader and channels healinglight to her clients. She has been

helping her international clients in person and on thephone for over 15 years. Jill's passion is to help peoplerelease issues and blockages, propelling them forward ontheir spiritual journey and bringing love peace and joy intotheir lives. For more information visit her website atwww.jillmichelle.ca.

Christine NightingaleSpirit Babies

After studying Hypnosis for Fertility,Christine found that while workingwith clients, she would get very clearmessages from their miscarried or notyet conceived babies. Her speciality

has become getting messages from these babiesexplaining their difficulties in coming in, and suggestionsfor making it easier. She has worked with over 400couples, facilitating communication and pregnancy. Formore information please visit her website atwww.nightingalehealing.com.

Marion ReidelBring Joy Into Your Life With Art

Marion writes award winninghumorous short fiction. The inspirationcomes from personal experience andobservation, but her characters take the

situations in unexpected directions. Her readers will laughout loud and shake their heads, but beneath theamusement they’ll find insights about self-esteem, shameand overcoming familiar obstacles. Marion feels stronglythat the short fiction format is well suited to the busy livesof contemporary readers. Her first collection of linkedstories is now available on Amazon. You can find herwebsite at https://marionreidel.wordpress.com.

Bob SmithSlices of Life

Like many writers, R.K. (Bob) Smithhas worked in widely different settings,accounting for diverse characters,settings, and story lines. He describeshis stories as ‘character-driven,’ rather

than ‘plot-driven.’ People face some kind of challenge andface it with creativity and integrity, often connecting withothers as part of the process. He has published novels andshort stories in online, newspaper, and more traditionalprinted formats, as well as having written Christmasstories heard on radio. To read more of Bob’s stories, visitwww.slicesoflifestories.com.

Shannon Tracey-BoggessWhy I Love to IllustrateChildren’s Books

Shannon has a passion for healthy livingnaturally. She loves researching variousart techniques, healthy recipes, andnatural therapies for self-evolution.

Shannon is happily offering her skills as a contractillustrator for children’s books published by Saplings. Withher husband, two teen boys and two fur babies, she is livingthe healthiest and happiest life she can.

Sandra WilsonMy Adventure Called Life

Sandra is a writer, educator, andamateur photographer. With a Bachelorof Arts in English and History, much ofher work includes historic factspresented in fun and interesting ways.

Although trained to take portraits at Sears Portrait Studio,Sandra prefers to capture nature with her camera. Herpassion is to help people learn, laugh and be inspired. Formore information, please visit www.werconline.ca.

Kayleigh RadatusCreativity and Connection

Kayleigh is a Certified Life Coach,lifelong student of personal develop-ment, and creator of This Groovy Life.Combining her education withpersonal experience, she reminds you

through music and words, what life on earth is for. Visither online at www.facebook.com/ThisGroovyLife/ orwww.ThisGroovyLife.ca.

PUBLISHER’S PONDERINGS

I don’t remember where I first heard the question, but it was something I asked mydaughter repeatedly, while she was growing up. Are you a victim or a creator?When she was angry or worried, when things were not going her way: “Are you avictim or a creator?” My goal was to impress upon her that each of us creates ourown reality. And that, as in the words of Wayne Dyer, “When you change the wayyou look at things, the things you look at change.”

It’s very easy to fall into the victim trap, particularly when we go through difficult situations, or whentragedy strikes. But I firmly believe what I intended to teach my daughter: we do create our own reality,by the thoughts we choose to think, and by our reaction/response to any given situation.

Case in point: my recent Women of Distinction nomination. Every year since I moved to Guelph, whenthe nominations were announced, I’d always say to myself, “Oh, how awesome it would be to benominated.” But I was looking at it from a standpoint of lack. A couple months ago, I decided to changemy thinking, and I reframed the words I spoke to myself. “One year, I’m going to be nominated for this!”

Less than two weeks after that assertion, I had lunch with a colleague. “I’m going to nominate you for aWomen of Distinction award,” she said. I could hardly believe my ears! And when I found out, about amonth ago, that I have been selected as one of the honourees, I was beyond excited ... and so verygrateful.

It has been an incredible experience so far. Being in the spotlight is something I’m still getting used to.I find, since my nomination and selection, that the old “Who do you think you are?” messages havebecome louder and stronger. And so I remind myself of Marianne Williamson’s “Our Deepest Fear” andI confront the messages.

In my bathroom is a picture I received from a friend as a birthday gift. It includes the words: “Make eachday a masterpiece.” As the creator of my life, it is what I continually strive to do.

Lisa

ART JOURNEYING FOR THE SOULby Andrea Lines-Botell

Art is all around us. It is in the air thatwe breathe and the fabric of ourbeings. The light and the dark of oursoul create its own rich tapestry of ourown personal portrait. Healing, inreality, is acceptance of events that takeplace that we cannot accept or resist toaccept. The journey can be all-consuming, tearing and burning at ourminds and bodies. In acceptance, ourinner art becomes changed with moredepth and detail. Mind meeting souland merging into our now andbecoming our universal journey in thislifetime.

My path into art as a healing modalitydidn’t occur until around 15 years ago.Facing my own traumas I had searchedfor alternative healing outlets buildingstrength and seeking my ownacceptance. It had also becomeapparent that anxiety was growingwithin the population and I was seeingthis in my children and the youth in thearea. I had a background inmindfulness and behavioural trainingand knowledge of many supportprocesses and yet I knew there wasmore I hadn’t discovered. I begansearching for other alternatives in orderto be the best support to my family,myself and others. During this searchI went to art, and this became amassive and life-changing outlet forme. I visited a friend of mine who is anamazing artist and lived in my area atthe time. Once a week I went to herstudio where she showed me that notconforming was ok. To be led by myheart and express without fear ofjudgment was so freeing.

Colours and shapes became a refugefor me and answers to questions I hadbeen searching for came freely. I hadalways considered myself not to be theartist of the family; therefore, I had alot of barriers to break through.Quickly I learned to just be myself, andthe outcome didn’t matter.

My passion became abstract art;flowing, moving and spontaneous.Being present and for that moment intime, being mindless. Mindlessness ledto more mindfulness. Each week Ibecame a more present parent, whichled to being a more effective supportfor myself and my family.

Mixed media art by Andrea Lines-Botell

From this, I went to stone carving. Mynew found joy! My first piece wassoapstone, which is so forgiving andyielding to the slightest motion. Ibecame almost trance like whilewatching the stone transform under themovement of sandpaper and file.

Stone carving by Andrea Lines-Botell

I moved onto Mexican rose alabaster,which unlike soapstone is hard, tough,and unforgiving. This proved releasingand relaxing in other ways. The focusit required to create shapes allowed forno other thoughts or feelings. Iembraced using power tools to gain theshapes that I wanted and this was sucha pleasure. When I finally managed to

get to where my imagination wanted totake me, I was greeted with hugesatisfaction.

Stone carving has also taught me howbeing attached to an outcome is settingmyself up for disappointment. I wouldreach a point of complete perfection inthe carving and then a fault wouldappear in the stone. With a tap a chunkwould come away completely alteringthe shape and outcome.

It occurred to me with each step thesimilarities in creating art and lifeitself. Allowing freedom, noattachment, needs vs. wants andmindlessness vs. mindfulness. Art inhealing form is the now. Each slightmovement or touch creates a newmoment and different outcome.

Recently I have altered my path toprovide supportive service to othersthrough coaching, energy work, and artform. I have created two forms of artsupport based on a collaboration ofpast experiences.

The first is an outlet taking the writtenword and transforming it into an artpiece. This has proved to be highlyeffective when in an anxious state or inhigh emotion. Anger-based wordsbecome beautiful art and the wordsbecome lost in the beauty. With this thefocus is being present and not the justthe emotion. As the colour and shapesgrow, the emotion becomes lesspowerful. With each turn of the pen thebreathing and mind slows.

With clients that find it hard to focusduring sessions it has proven to be anexcellent resource and allows forconversation to flow as they losethemselves to the movement of thepen. I also have clay and dough onhand for the times that sheer textureand movement is a more productiveoutlet. Molding, pounding andstretching clay has tremendousoutcome when in a heightened emotionstate. Vigour and tension can be

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released into this very pliable form.Transformation and metamorphosisoccurs as emotion passes; not stickingor staying, just being.

The second is an energy-based oilpainting outlet in which, as a group orindividuals, the sessions start withbreathing exercises and then free formpaint using hands. Not thinking, justfeeling. The texture of the paint andexpression by movement allowsrelease through the body. Becoming inthe now with the colours and texturehelps to stop the mind from spiralingand focusing on the stressors in yourlife. I find that people are naturallydrawn to the colours that are healingfor them in that moment. Somecreating vibrant magenta forms whileothers losing themselves in soft shadesof blue, others smash forward withdeep reds. For this time you are at onewith creation. Creation that isn’tperfect as we as humans are notperfect. For this time, you are notjudged, you just are. You are here andnow.

Healing through art can allow respitefrom the pain. I have a courageousfriend who uses art to reach out andconnect with his wife in his journey ofloss and grief. His art is a way ofconnecting with her energy and for amoment feeling the outline of her faceand the warmth of her being. As themovement of the pen creates theimages it is a moment of touch that istimeless, together again in a form ofphysicality. The energy of loss andlove becomes a place to land andcreates an image of lasting connection.

Art allows you to draw from pain, joy,love, laughter and loss and turn it intoa manifestation of your soul. Mistakesand nonconformity can be freeing forthose who need control. Release andexpression can happen for people whoare stuck and cannot express. Inheightened states, a moment of healthymindlessness can bring peace. Clay,tiles, paint, pens, dance, music or any

form of expression offers theopportunity to grow and find innerpeace. We all have an inner artisttaking the first step is all it takes.

Become the master of your ownportrait taking gentle creative chargeover the details of your shadow andlight. Infuse your personal creationwith love and the true texture of yourbeing and allow your warmth to spreadto others. After all, we are all part ofone infinite masterpiece.

Pencil drawing graciously shared byRandy Stiles

* * *

CRANESby Marilyn Helmer

“You’re spending too much timealone,” my sister Judy told me. “Youneed to get out and about more. Getinvolved. Do something worthwhile.”

“I am doing something worthwhile,” Itold her. “I’m enjoying my single life,reading, gardening…”

Judy shook her head. “Too much alonetime.” Then came the words I feared.“I have just the thing for you.” Judyhas been my rock since my husbandand I separated. But she’s always beena take-charge kind of person and Iknew that she was about to take chargeof me.

“Volunteering,” Judy hurried on.“They’re looking for volunteer visitors

at the Happy Hours Nursing Home.You’re perfect for the job. You love toread and you have a great speakingvoice.” She paused to catch her breath.“I gave them your name. They’ll be intouch.”

That is how I found myself at anintroductory meeting, shaking handswith Janet Golding, the volunteercoordinator at the nursing home.“We’re happy to have you on board,”she said cheerfully. “I think you wouldbe a good fit for Mrs. Takahashi. She’sbedridden, nonverbal and has novisitors.”

“Bedridden? Nonverbal?” I stared atJanet. “If this lady is confined to bedand doesn’t speak, what am I going todo with her?”

“Read to her.” Janet smiled. “Sheseems to respond to the sound of ahuman voice. Come and meet her.” Ifollowed Janet down the hall, silentlyasking myself what I had gotten into.

The first thing that struck me as wecame into Mrs. Takahashi’s room wasthe starkness of it. Everything from thewalls, to the bed linens, even theoverbed table was white. As a lover ofcolour, white is low on my list offavourites.

“I think Mrs. Takahashi’s asleep now,”Janet said. I turned to the bed where atiny woman lay propped up on pillows,eyes closed. Something on whiteoverbed caught my attention. It was apiece of blue paper; a shade of bluethat made me think of the early springForget-Me-Nots blooming in mygarden. Janet noticed it too. “It’s thedaily activity list,” she said. “Mrs.Takahashi has no use for it but it’sautomatically delivered to all ourpatients. Come and I’ll show you ourlibrary. It’s small, not much of aselection, but feel free to bring in abook yourself. Something, anything,you enjoy reading.”

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The library’s selection was indeedmeager. But Janet’s suggestion ofbringing something I enjoy readingstayed with me. When I came back thefollowing week, I brought myfavourite book of poetry.

Mrs. Takahashi’s eyes were againclosed when I came into her room. Thedaily activities sheet lay on the table,this time shining like a summer sun. Iturned my attention to the poetry book.There was a chair, yes, white, waitingfor me near the bed. I pulled it closer,opened my book and began to read.

In no time, I was lost in the rhythm andbeauty of the words. Fifteen, maybetwenty minutes passed when amovement on the bed caught my eye.I glanced over. Mrs. Takahashi’s eyeswere open. “Mrs. Takahashi…?” Isaid. Although she didn’t look at me, Iwas sure that I saw her lips curveslightly upward. When I reported thisto Janet, she looked doubtful but I wasquite certain of what I had seen.

The week after that, I brought along abook of short stories. Once again Mrs.Takahashi’s eyes were closed when I

came into the room. Once again, theonly bright spot was the activitiessheet, this time a soft shade of pink.The colour made me think of myfavourite rose, the one that is called“Awakening.”

Shortly after I began to read, Mrs.Takahashi opened her eyes. Momentslater a smile appeared on her face.Janet saw it when she came into theroom. “You’re doing a wonderful job,”she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seenMrs. Takahashi smile before.” A smilespread across my face too. In thatmoment, I blessed my take-chargesister Judy.

Just before my next visit, I spent ahappy, if rather exhausting day withmy six-year-old grandson, Charlie.Swimming, hiking and kicking thesoccer ball around – we did it all. Bymid-afternoon I was pleasantly tired.“How about we cuddle up and read?”I suggested.

“’kay,” Charlie cheered. “Let’s read theCrane story.”

“Go get it,” I told him and Charlieraced off to the den. The well-wornpicture book, The Legend of theThousand Cranes, was a favourite ofmine and of my daughter’s when shewas a child. To my delight, it was afavourite of Charlie’s too.

Charlie came back with the book andthrew himself into the big, old cozychair beside me. “I love it when youread to me, Grandma,” he said. So,together, we read once again thebeautiful Japanese legend thatpromises that anyone who can fold athousand paper cranes will be granteda wish.

I was in a rush the next morning as Igot ready for my visit to Mrs.Takahashi. I already had the book ofshort stories in my bag but as I passedthe den, I saw the The Legend of theThousand Cranes lying on the table. Itseemed silly to read a child’sstorybook to a woman who neverspoke or communicated. But I put itinto the bag anyway. Mrs. Takahashimight not be able to understand thestory, but she seemed to respond to thesound of my voice.

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When I arrived at the nursing home, Ifound her the same, propped up on thepillows, eyes closed. This time theactivities paper was a lovely shade ofapple-green.

As I began to read, Mrs. Takahashi’seyes opened. I was used to that by nowso didn’t think much of it. But mid-way through The Legend of theThousand Cranes, a movement fromthe bed caught my eye. I looked over.Mrs. Takahashi’s arm was resting onthe table. As I watched in astonish-ment, she picked up the sheet ofapple-green paper. Slowly, carefully,she folded it once, then again. Whatwas she doing? She turned to me, lipscurved in that faint smile. She noddedat the book. In my surprise, I realizedthat I had stopped reading.

I went back reading, watching out ofthe corner of my eye as Mrs. Takahashicontinued folding the paper. As Ifinished the story, she held out herhand. In it was a perfect origami crane.When I told the staff, one by one, theycame to ooh and ahh at the tiny workof art Mrs. Takahashi had created.

From then on, I looked forward to myweekly visits with Mrs. Takahashi.There was always a piece of colouredpaper waiting when I arrived. AlthoughI read other stories to her, each time Ifinished with The Legend of theThousand Cranes while she folded thepaper. By the end of the visit, therewould be another beautiful origamicrane.

Mrs. Takahashi only made her craneswhile I was there and she never spoke.Two months later, she passed awaypeacefully in her sleep. The onlypeople at her funeral were myself anda few of the nurses. When we cameback to the nursing home afterward, Iasked if I could have the origamicranes.

Today they sit a place of honour on asmall mahogany table in my living

room beside The Legend of theThousand Cranes. Each crane,carefully, intricately folded, is a workof art created by a woman I scarcelyknew. Miraculously, the upraised,spread wings of the cranes inspired meto spread my wings too. I took upwatercolour painting, something I hadalways wanted to do. To my surprise,I’m quite good at it, good enough thatI now get out and about, taking part inart shows and teaching the oddworkshop.

I think of Mrs. Takahashi often.Although she didn’t live to fold onethousand paper cranes, those she didfold are beyond value to me. Seeing athing of beauty created from a piece ofthrow-away of paper changed my lifefor the better. Will the paintings I nowcreate one day inspire someone else tospread their wings too? Oh, I do hopeso!

* * *

LIFE IS THE ART ANDYOU ARE THE MASTERPIECE

For many years I have struggled withthe idea of my worth. I am a creativeand much of what I produce I have toprice myself. I am also a giver and willoften give my time free of charge.

As much as I enjoy helping others, andcreating my work, I sometimes findthat I don’t feel like I have muchworth. I work a lot and have manyprojects on the go but it isn’t often thata payday comes with these projects.Now even though I put more value into

the things that I do for others than I doin a payday sometimes it will cause meto lose the value of myself.

But recently I thought about mycreative life as my art. What I do, whatI produce and what I say are all formsof the creativity that generates my art.I am who I am because of the thingsthat I have done, the people I have metand the lessons I have learned.

What I sell (product or time) is not thedetermination of my worth but only anexpression of my art. Who I am iswhere the worth is and this person thatI am has tremendous value, not only tothe people around me but also tomyself.

I am unique and colourful, not unlikethe paintings that hang in galleries.And so, the masterpiece that is medeserves a place of honour, a spotlightto expose the beauty and a value that ispriceless. I am the best that I can bewhich not only makes me enough, itmakes me a masterpiece of greatworth.

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MyAdventureCalledLife

Dear Angels,

I have been divorced for over 10 yearsand still am angry with my ex-wife. Ihave tried to forgive her, but I can’t doit. I don’t want to hate her any more. Ihave tried to have other relationshipswith women but they are not workingout. I am stuck.

Abe P., Calgary, AB

Dear Abe,

“Forgiveness is Divine, and when youforgive you get to move forward onyour Divine path.” Angels during areading, Jan. /18

Being stuck is an indication that wehave spiritual work to do. Wheneversomeone is stuck, the angels, whenasked, will assess their person’spersonality and habits and help them towork through aspects such asunforgiveness, judgement, and othernegative traits. When you understandhow important it is to forgive your ex;that you can’t move forward into agood relationship until you haveforgiven, then the motivation becomesstronger.

Unforgiveness only hurts you. Your excan be oblivious to your thoughts, andfeelings of anger or frustration that youhave towards her. These are yournegative energies and they affect yourbody, mind, soul and spirit. They canleave long-lasting negative physicaleffects and even illness.

When you react to something thatsomeone else says or does, there is

something negative within yourselfthat needs to be released. Relationshipsare created to trigger each person’snegative traits so that they are obvious.Once they are recognized they can bedealt with and released, creating amore kind, loving and joyful life.

So many people believe that in orderto end a relationship they need to hatethe other person. Unfortunately this issuch a common concept in our societytoday. Often my clients say: “I am sofinished with this relationship and Iwant out, but I don’t hate him. Do Ihave to wait till I hate him before Ileave?” Truly, it is desirable to leave arelationship in a state of love; it is somuch more highly vibrational. We areto do everything in a state of love.When you leave a relationship in astate of hate, it takes many years toheal the wounds and scars. If you leavein a state of love, you heal quickly andbefore long, you are ready for yournext relationship. Remember, youattract what you project, so you wantto become the best you can be so youcan attract the best relationship.

Love and forgiveness go hand in hand.You can’t have one without the other.This is the main reason why youcannot find love with anyone else; youneed to forgive first, then love willfollow. You can have surfacerelationships, but to find deep,everlasting, meaningful relationships,you really need to forgive fully.

Willingness to forgive is the key tosuccess. Once you are willing, askyour angels for help and they willguide you. There is a cd withforgiveness exercises on my websitethat will get you moving in the rightdirection.

Sending you love, peace, joy and hope,

Your angels,with Jill Michelle

Dear Angels,

My son has fallen away from thechurch and I want him to come back.What can I do? He used to like churchand feel good there. Now he isunhappy, depressed and I think he is alost soul.

Blessing the angels,Verna D., Leamington, Ont.

Dear Verna,

I sense that your son is going througha difficult time now and will be foranother year or so. Then I see the tideschanging and his ship will come backto shore. I feel that he is taking a hiatusthat is necessary because when he doesreturn to his spiritual journey, he willreturn with conviction that he lackedbefore. Often we fall off of our lightpath, learn what we don’t want, thenreturn to the light path with newauthority and strength and knowingwhat we do want. Once we know whatwe want, then we can focus ourenergies on the right things that willlead to our new goal. Until that point,life is confusing, frustrating, and oftenmeaningless. I feel that your son willhunger for God again and all will bewell. I see that he does have a strongpurpose with God and that he willfulfill it willingly and joyfully.

Be patient my dear one, everythingwill work according to God’s Divineplan and timing. Remember He can seethe whole picture, whereas we can onlysee a very minute part of it.

Praying for the return to your son’sspiritual path would be very helpful.Remember to pray for the “bestpossible outcome for all”, and not topray for your desires for him, as theymay be different from what God’s planfor him is.

Sending you love, peace, joy and hope,

Your angels,with Jill Michelle

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Dear Angels ...________________

JILL MICHELLE

WALLFLOWERSby Bob Smith

Murielle Gonzalez was quite unsettledby two of the pictures she had broughthome from the Saturday morning artclass she ran. She wasn’t a therapist –didn’t even really consider herself ateacher – but a person didn’t need to beeither of those to recognize themessages in the pictures.

She had been volunteering for threemonths, ever since the once-a-year ArtShow organized by the Guild ofArtists, a community organization foramateurs like her. She had beenstanding in her booth, thinking aboutthe variety of styles she had tried overthe past year, when the group of fivegirls with two young women in theirtwenties had stopped. The girls eachhad looked at various pieces while thetwo women chatted and watched them,clearly not interested in the art butcaretakers of some kind. After theymoved on, one of the women remainedbehind.

She explained, “We’re from PromiseHouse, a group home for emotionally-disturbed adolescent girls and thesefive decided they wanted to come tothis show. They each like differentkinds of art so that’s why they lingeredhere. Most of the booths only interestone of them but you do a variety ofthings so there’s something to appealto each of them.”

Murielle had been thinking about the

need to focus so recognition for thediversity of styles she hadexperimented with was welcome.

The young woman continued. “Wouldyou consider volunteering to run an artclass for them? We try to providedifferent kinds of opportunities for thegirls. These ones all like art and mightlike to try it.”

When Murielle expressed reservationsbecause she wasn’t a professionalpainter or teacher, the womanresponded, “That’s okay. Someonewho was really good probably couldn’trelate to these kids anyway.”

Murielle ignored the insult. Online, shefound numerous ideas, most forclassrooms but she could adapt themfor the environment she would findherself in, a dining room with a hugetable. One site mentioned art fromdisturbed kids, some who used only ablack crayon, others who producedviolent or bloody pictures. Murielle’sfear that that could be the case withthese girls proved to be unfounded.

This morning, she had decided tointroduce the concept of painting trees,something which could appeal toeveryone from Marcia, who paintedvery realistically, to Daphne, who wasenthusiastic but not very talented, toAlia who was quite abstract in herapproach. The internet suggested sheintroduce the topic by havingparticipants produce pictures of whatthey thought they might look like ifthey were trees.

Murielle hadn’t expected to betroubled by the results.

Daphne’s attempt was clearlysymbolic, though not disturbing. AsMurielle looked at the flamboyant tree,full of apples and with a bluebirdperched on a nest singing energeticallyto the world, she pictured Daphne withher lime green hair, numerous facepiercings, and tattooed arms.

It was the pictures of Karen and Beththat were disconcerting. Those girlswere rather withdrawn, rarely spokeand never participated in the chitchatof the other three. Even when thebanter became personal, they didn’treact. Murielle always stoppedinsulting comments but usually theyhad been preceded by an escalation asacceptable teasing degenerated intooutright slurs.

Four of the pictures had a line acrossthe page somewhere near the bottom.That was the ground. Trees spoutedfrom that, various styles andinterpretations. However, Karen hadhanded in a page with the line for theground halfway up the page. The treewas rudimentary, something a child inkindergarten could have drawn.However, there was a very extensiveand complex root system below thesurface.

Is this true? Murielle wondered. Doesshe see herself as far more complexthan what she shows, with a hiddenrootedness that no one elserecognizes?

Beth’s picture was quite troubling. Itdid not have a tree, just a stump with aflat top. Obviously, someone had cutthe tree down, then hauled it away.

Can I do anything about this? Muriellewondered.

The following Saturday, after severalphone calls during the week, sheannounced to the girls, “I have anexciting project for all of us.” As usual,Daphne, Marcia, and Alia lookedinterested while Beth and Karenlooked at the table, the wall, the floor -anywhere but someone’s eyes. “Youknow the garden shed behind thehouse?” Murielle continued. “I askedif we could paint a picture on the sideto give some colour year-round to theyard. I called someone I know whodoes things like that and she told mewhat kind of paint we need.” Murielle

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finished, “Mrs. Wilson, the directorhere, said it has to be something nice,not graffiti or anything.”

Murielle waited for reaction but no onespoke. But no one rolled her eyes ormade a scornful face either so shecontinued. “I thought maybe flowers.That would be colourful, look nice,and fit the yard. I know you havedifferent styles so you each could doone that is unique. We would just haveto plan it so that the ones beside eachother didn’t clash. What do youthink?”

She was hopeful that such a groupproject would draw Beth and Karen in.People might realize there was more toKaren than met the eye, would beginto appreciate whatever lay below thesurface. Murielle also hoped includingBeth would begin some kind of healingprocess. Whatever had led to herfeeling destroyed needed to beovercome. Murielle knew there weresome kinds of trees which wouldgenerate new sprouts from the stumpafter they were cut. She hoped Bethwas one of those.

“Let’s start planning,” she said,unrolling a large sheet of paper on thetable. She was pleased to see everyone,Karen and Beth included, pull theirchairs in tighter.

Bob posts other stories, none longerthan 1000 words, weekly at

http://slicesoflifestories.com/

ART THERAPY FOR CHILDRENby Christine Nightingale

Art has many manifestations, ofcourse, including music, drama,literature, poetry, and visual art.

I have often seen how children expressand respond to art in its many forms,and how healing it can be for them.

My friend’s little niece was born withmany health challenges, and enduredseveral surgeries. Yet when she wassung to, or family members playedsinging games with her, the baby’swhole body responded. As she lay onthe bed, her face lit up and shespontaneously expressed a physicalresponse to the music. Her doctorscalled her “the dancing baby.”

As a teacher, I understood that a childwith challenges may self-medicatethrough some form of art. Once I wastold that the fourth grade student whowas coming to my class was not verybright. She had not yet learned to read.

That did not feel right to me. Iobserved that the little girl drewbeautiful pictures, especially of people,with realistic depictions of theirfeatures and expressions. I sent her forhearing testing, and in fact she wasalmost totally deaf. The child hadtaught herself to lip-read! Her art hadbeen the means she invented to copewith her need to communicate.

Years later I read the book SeeingVoices by Oliver Sacks, who describesthe language of the deaf. True signlanguage is very beautiful to watch, butit cannot be strictly translated into anyspoken language. It is a lovely,dancelike, sometimes funny,sometimes profound way ofcommunication.

Oliver Sacks discovered that even forthe century when sign language wassuppressed, as soon as you put twodeaf children together theysurreptitiously and spontaneouslydeveloped a sign language of theirown. This was of course very healing.

Sacks mentions that the deafcommunity do not see themselves asdisabled; rather they have analternative way of communicationwhich is vibrant, emotional, anddeeply satisfying.

I had a child in my Special Needs classwho was 5 years old, and severelyinjured at birth, so that she could notuse her vocal cords or move her armsand legs with volition. It was assumedthat her intellectual capacities werelimited.

Two or three other adults worked withme in my classroom. The children hadbeen tested at functioning at baby tokindergarten level. Yet I noticed thatthis little girl responded to adult jokes.Calling humour an art form mightseem like a stretch, but I believed that“Jenny’s” capacity to understand jokeswas a sign of intelligence. I got hold ofa couple of Big Macs, simple roundtape recorders for challenged children,which were attached to her wheelchairheadrest on either side. They could beprogrammed with simple messageswhich my student could activate byhitting them with her head. Blue taperecorder on one side for “yes”, red BigMac on other side to say “no”.

Now it was possible to see that“Jenny” understood how to answer

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After almost five years, and 68stories, Bob Smith has announced

that this will be his final submissionto One Thousand Trees.

Bob ... you will be missed!

questions after she had a lesson on, say,colours.

The next step was to program asequential knock-knock joke into thetape recorder. The child would start thesequence when a new adult walkedinto the room. By the time thesequence ended, Jenny was erupting inpeals of laughter. For this little girl,communication by tape recorder washer release from the prison of non-communication.

Before I taught the Special Needs kidsI had a Grade Four classroom. As partof the literature unit I had the kidsdivide into groups, choose a fairy tale(3 Pigs, 3 Bears, Little Red RidingHood, 3 Billy Goats Gruff). They hadto learn it , then perform it for theirown class, the other grade 4 class, andthe Special Needs class. This involved,of course, reading, learning lines,

making costumes and props, choosingparts, and learning to get along in agroup.

Not incidentally, it was a goodexperience for both the performers andthe other classes who participated. Forthe Special Needs kids who had achance for a fun visit from one of theregular classes (every Friday for amonth) it was particularly therapeutic,as they were able to enjoy theexperience in their own way.

Another one of my new Grade 4students was described to me as badlybehaved and lazy. However I soondiscovered that he had a great sense ofhumour (a sign of intelligence),although he could not spell or writelegibly (signs of a learning disability.)

So I assigned him to be the classroomattendance monitor, which got him out

of the classroom for 5 or 10 minutes,and I brainstormed with his classmatesevery morning.

“What can we do to help Michael?”

The kids and I agreed that we would lethim have the exclusive use of one ofthe two computers in the room, whichwould take care of the handwriting andspelling issues.

“And when he acts out and isannoying, class?

“Oh Miss, we can totally ignore him.”

“You can do that?”

“Oh yes, Miss, watch us!”

Michael’s behaviour improved, and hesoon showed that he had a knack forcreative writing.

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What’s Happening at The Purple Door?

March 3: Kick Your Cravings for GoodMarch 4: Ohana Generational Healing Certification

March 7: Dream 101March 10: Step Into Spring Open House

March 14: Purple Door Writers CircleMarch 17: Healing Past Lives

March 18: Spring Celebration Tea PartyMarch 19: Local Author Night with Mel StewartMarch 20: Medium Readings with Janice Moffat

March 22: Healing with Crystals

For information visit www.onepurpledoor.com

I asked one of the local newspaperswhether they would be willing to do afeature on my class. I would ask eachkid to take their favourite piece ofwriting out of their own writing folder,and the staff of the Toronto Sun wouldpublish their favourites.

Michael was chosen, with his poemabout what it feels like to have alearning disability.

The adults in a child’s life can do muchto help the children they care aboutwith Art Therapy. And the mothers Inow work with, who ask how best toconnect with their Spirit Baby? Ialways tell them, “Sing to your unbornchild. It does not matter what song, justas long as it expresses the feelings inyour heart.”

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WHY I LOVE TO ILLUSTRATECHILDREN’S BOOKS

by Shannon Tracey-Boggess

Well, it all started when I was wee one.I could not walk yet, but my momrecalls me crawling to a steamed upwindow in the kitchen and drawinghappy faces while she cooked. Everybit of scrap paper, matchbook, etc., Iwould doodle away the tiniestdrawings.

Everything was animated in my world.I saw faces on rocks, fire hydrants, andtrees. I would always greet them witha ‘Hello, Mr. Rock’ or ‘Hello, Mr.Tree’. At home, I would draw theirfaces as I saw them. Soon, I was inschool and drawing or reading bookswhenever I had the chance. My 1stgrade teacher called home one day totalk about a drawing I did in class. Sheinformed, my mom that I had drawnthe front of my house in such detail,she couldn’t believe it. Right down tothe license plate numbers on ourfamily van parked in the driveway. Allof my textbooks had doodles courtesyof me…it was an enhancement in my

opinion. As I grew older and read olderbooks, I was disappointed to see lessand less pictures and more words. Itwould take me forever to read an olderbook, because I would drift off tryingto imagine what that scene would looklike.

Years later in high school, the artteacher noticed my passion anddecided to recommend me for a specialprogram allowing a very select fewhigh school students attend Universityclasses in art. I was so excited – whata privilege! A new extracurricular Artsprogram also started at the same time.I submitted my work and uponacceptance, started attending advancedart classes at night.

Since then, I have always doodled,made my own characters, or drew myown interpretations of stories.Exploring different mediums wasalways fun. Painting, sculpting,printmaking, sidewalk chalk art, eventattooing are all great forms of art.

A few years ago, my sister-in-law saidshe wrote a children’s book about herchocolate lab. Knowing that I lovedoing art, she asked if I wouldillustrate it for her. Of course‼ That iswhen I fell in love with illustratingchildren’s books. A few years later, Iwrote my own preteen suspense novelwith animations of the main characterspeppered throughout story.

Approximately 4 months ago, Lisa andI connected. We instantly bonded. Themore we talked, the more we realizedthat our lives were parallel. Shepublished beautiful children’s booksthrough Saplings, and I love drawingillustrations for children’s books! Sheimmediately informed me that shecurrently had an author looking for anillustrator for his book that verymoment! I said yes without hesitationand submitted a sample illustration toLisa within a few days. To my surprise,the author loved my submission anddecided to work with me on his book.The synchronicity of the entire processhappened all within 2 weeks.

I can now call myself a Children’sBook Illustrator! I always dreamed thatthis would be my purpose in life butself-doubt got in the way. Am I startingtoo late? Will I be successful enoughto support my family? Am I talentedenough? …the list goes on.

The Universe always knew my lifecalling, I just had to have it smack meright in the face before I believed it. Itis a thrill and a privilege to have theopportunity to retell someone else’sstory in pictures. Being able to do myart, my passion, fills my soul. Life isgood.

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An Evening of Sharing: Equine TherapyFrom left to right, our awesome speakers ...Mena Canonico, Anne Porteous, Ann Caine

Two of our Saplings authors visited local public schools!

Left: Margaret-Ann Brix, author of Grampa’s ButterflyRight: Sandra Wilson, author of Kindness Kangaroo

CREATIVITY AND CONNECTIONby Kayleigh Radatus

I used to believe I was not creative. Atthe time, I thought creative peoplewere the sort who could paint or drawwell. I thought creative people werethe ones who could come up with newdesigns or new songs; that creativitywas locked to an arts based skill alone.I know many people who still believethis, and as a result, believe they arenot creative.

In recent years, I've learned thatcreativity is so much more. Creativityshows itself throughout our daily lives.We are being creative when we figureout what we are going to make fordinner. We are being creative when wemake our weekend plans. Creativity isthere, whether we are an artistbeginning a new painting, or a homeowner choosing the paint colours forour walls.

Creativity is there when you plan yourchild's birthday party; whether youdesign and create every aspect,including the cake, or you go out andbuy all you need.

Human beings are creative by nature,but we have been conditioned bysociety to believe only the innovativeor artistic are creative. We're allsuffering for it. This belief thatcreativity does not belong to every oneof us is stifling the entire planet;stopping us from engaging fully in our

own lives, and robbing the world of allwe have to offer.

Creativity is how we connect ourselveswith the world we live in. It's how weconnect with others, how we connectto ourselves, and how we make a markin the world. Creativity is how we putsomething of who we are, a piece ofour light, our energy, into all we do.The sad part is, creativity withers whenit is ignored, buried, and unused.

Our ancestors knew the value ofcreativity, without even talking aboutit, because they lived it, every day.When they prepared a meal, repaired afence, planted a field, made a dress, ora toy or a tool – they did so withcreativity. And in doing so, put part ofthemselves into the creation; and thatcreation was then shared with thosearound them. We've forgotten all ofthis. In the forgetting, we've lost somuch of our own connection withcreativity. Many of us have simplyswitched off, and are going throughlife on auto-pilot. Life has become asautomatic as the machines that makemuch of our food, clothing, cars andhousehold items.

This is why colouring books forgrownups became so popular. This iswhy. more and more, painting events,knitting groups and planner parties arepopping up. It's why sites like pinteresthave taken off, reaching everygeneration.

We are finally tuning in to theunderstanding of what we've beenmissing. The arts are key because theyopen the door to all of this creativity.They engage the mind on a completelydifferent level than the typical routineof getting things done. It's throughmusic and artistic expression that welearn how to look at the routine from anew angle and make existence into alife.

If your life has become too automatic,too routine, and too uninteresting, it'spretty simple to fix. The easiest way tobring more creativity and connectioninto your life is to become a willingparticipant in your life. Do more ofwhat makes you happy. We're nottalking about massive changes all atonce here. Small change makes adifference. Start listening to music youlove while you make dinner. Take fiveminutes and dance around with yourpartner and kids. If you're eating apackaged meal, connect by adding afew of our own herbs and spices. Mowthe lawn in patterns. Take a walk, andgo somewhere new, noticing howmuch is there that you've never seenbefore. As you walk, tell yourself astory about what you notice.

Remember too, you don't have todesign and create every last thing theway our ancestors did to engage yourcreativity. It takes surprisingly littletime to work on a craft, cut a piece oftoast into a house shape to go withyour child's (or your own) bowl of

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soup, or have a dance with a favouritesong. All of this creates connection.Connection inspires, motivates, andcreates happiness and joy. You'll beamazed at how much better you'll feel,all from a little creativity andconnection.

* * *

BRING JOY INTO YOUR LIFEWITH ART

by Marion Reidel

It’s been a tough year. Who am Ikidding, it’s been a tough decade. I’vebeen caregiver for my widowedmother, while working full time,launching adult children, nurturing mymarital partnership and dealing withmy own health challenges. Soundfamiliar?

In July, the moment I returned homefrom my second full knee replacement,my mother had to be admitted tohospital… again. She was there for 12days and I had to fight to get her out.What began as a colon blockage endedup with her needing incontinence careand being confined to a wheelchair.She was not allowed to return to herretirement apartment, I had one day tofind an assisted living facility. She gotfabulous care from them for threemonths, then kidney failure resulted inanother hospital stay, which lead tofive days in palliative care and apeaceful passing in September.

I’m not trying to brush off theexperience of losing my second parent,it’s just that I want to tell who how artbrought joy back into my life. It washard supporting my mother, she wasunhappy, demanding and found itdifficult to express gratitude. I cravedjoy.

That summer, one of the things I did tostay sane was wander through the Arton the Street event in downtownGuelph. It’s an annual exhibition. Avillage of tents hold pottery, jewelry,

one-of-a-kind clothing, and handmadeimages of all kinds. It was, as they say,a feast for the eyes, and a painting stolemy heart.

As I strolled past, keeping watch forthe perfect pair of earrings (becauseone can ever own too many earrings) Iwas captivated by “Hill House”, byPeter Karas. It is 30” tall and 60” wideand it grabbed me with shades ofcerulean blue, purples and vibrantyellow-greens that glowed in thesunshine. The only problem… it wasexpensive, not a spontaneous purchase.I chatted to the artist, asked to take thisphoto, and reluctantly walked on.

The painting haunted me. Really, Icouldn’t get it out of my mind. I hadthe artist’s business card, so I lookedhim up on my computer. Peter Karasand his wife, Corinne Garlick, callthemselves “The Dick and Jane ArtCo.” How cute is that? Their paintingstyles are each unique, but theycollaborate and are making a livingwith their creativity. It was admirable,

enviable. I sighed, grabbed the imagefrom their website and made it mycomputer’s background. That wouldhave to do.

Now on my laptop I constantly saw“Hill House”; at work, at home, ittravelled with me everywhere.Something about it made me smile.The colours were unquestionablyhappy. The scene vibrated intensely,like stained glass backlit by a sunnyday.

There was something pleasing aboutthe wonkiness of the shapes. Tinyhomes slightly askew, leaningplayfully and precariously on thehilltop. The clouds floated across a skythat was friskily spattered withturquoise and violet. Everything aboutit was delightfully unexpected. It wasbouncy, and it made me smile, whichis something I needed that summer.

I had no way of knowing that summerwould be the last days of my mother’sexistence. Day-by-day I helped with astream of indignities related to herpersonal care and the ability to makeher own choices. Routines werestressful, not joyful. I forgot about thepainting, changed my computerbackground and got on with theendless decisions required to ensuremy mother’s comfort and safety.

During those final weeks my motherbecame fixated on her legacy. The

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details of her Will were reviewed,personal items, such as jewelry, weresent off to loved ones. I didn’tunderstand at the time, but she musthave known that she needed to tie uploose ends. When she was releasedfrom the hospital in September, sheasked me to “take her somewhere todie.” She spent the last five days of herlife in a palliative care ward, where shereceived wonderful service. She wasable to say final farewells to my twobrothers, then drifted peacefully intosleep. I sat with her as she took her lastbreath. Of course I did, I’m the onlydaughter.

Once the details of my mother’sdeparture had been dealt with, I foundmyself in need of restoration. Iremembered the painting andcontacted Peter Karas. It had beenthree months since the street festival,but “Hill House” was still looking fora home. I believe it was meant to bemine. I drove to Peter’s home, in

London, and met his wonderful family.The painting barely fit in my little car,but I got it home. It’s perfect. It bringsme joy every time I look at it. Art ismedicine for the soul. Bring art intoyour life and see what I mean.

* * *

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Free Workshop:"Emotional Resilience: Thriving with Change"

Saturday, March 25, 2:30pm

Co-facilitated by Lisa Woolgar and Kevin Suttonas part of the Guelph Resilience Festival

For more info, emaillisa@lisawoolgar.ca or guelphresiliencefestival.ca

VOLUNTEER PROFILEby Kristen Feduck

Family Volunteering

Kevin Sharpen and his son Noah arededicated volunteers at Pinehurst LakePark. It’s a home-away-from-home fortheir family. Every summer for over 15years, their family trailer is parked atthe small spring-fed lake north ofParis, Ontario for the season.

His grandparents have camped atPinehurst every summer. Hismemories of the popular park fill hislifetime.. Kevin has found many waysto give back and encourage others toengage in park stewardship. Oncepeople are interested in volunteering,they are connected to GRCA VolunteerCoordinator, who helps to matchinterests and talents with volunteerpositions.

“Most people who camp at Pinehurstcome to know the staff. Kevin is noexception,” observes PinehurstSuperintendent Brad Straus. “But whatsets him apart, is he never takesPinehurst for granted. He and hisfamily have a passion for this placeand really appreciate what it offers.Kevin is unique because he doesn’t justthink about why the park is special to

him. He wants to share it with others.You can tell that his volunteerinvolvement is just something thatfeels right to him without eventhinking about it.”

His involvement started gradually, ashe encouraged Pinehurst staff to set upgeocaches within the park, and he andhis son did the same to make it a greatplace for geocaching.

Then, he initiated a new type ofgeocache for the park. Instead of usingan app or GPS to find a hiddencontainer, Kevin enlisted help fromfamily and friends to hold Cache inTrash Out (CITO) events at the parkeach spring just before it opened. At aCITO event, garbage is the find insteadof a cache. This type of event is heldby geocachers at many locations eachyear so they can improve thegeocaching game board --- which justhappens to be our planet.

“For my son and I, geocaching is ourfavourite thing to do. We partneredwith the staff at Pinehurst Lake to doCITO, a cleanup event for the pastthree years,” Sharpen explains.

During that time cleanup participants,including campers, the public andgeocachers, have collected so muchtrash each year that it is becoming alittle more difficult to find trash. Eventhe most concealed garbage isdisappearing from the park.

This year on Sunday, April 29, theevent is expanding to nearby Wrigleyand Bannister Lakes which are alsoowned by the GRCA and managed bythe staff at Pinehurst. People whowould like to assist this year can finddetails and register online atwww.grandriver.eventbrite.ca.

Kevin and his son have also hosted anintroduction to geocaching activity atDiscovery Day, an annual park eventthat welcomed around 2,000 peopleeach year.

“Pinehurst Lake and surrounding trailsare for everyone. Our goal is to createa sense of community among allvisitors and Kevin shares this goal.Volunteer cleanups can make a bigdifference,” explains Straus.

“We know the park well, we’ve madefriends here and we love the area. Forus it’s giving back to the thing we lovemost,” Kevin says.

If you are part of a group that wouldlike to hold a volunteer event at aGRCA property, learn about our

volunteer program atwww.grandriver.ca/volunteer.

To experience the benefits ofvolunteerism, like Kevin, search the

online Volunteer OpportunitiesDatabase at

https://volunteercambridge.cioc.ca/volunteer/ or call the Volunteer Centre

at 519-621-1030, ext. 234.

* * *

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIESIN GUELPH

Board MemberGuelph Community Health Centre

Guelph CHC has a vision to be avalued leader in a community thatsupports those with barriers to healthand wellbeing. We are looking forindividuals who share our vision of ahealthy community and who have theability to participate in the strategicplanning and leadership of GuelphCHC.

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National Fly Fishing ChampionshipEvent Volunteers

Big Brothers Big Sistersof Centre Wellington

This is a large scale event withnumerous volunteer opportunities fromregistration, data entry, riverbankcontrollers, sector judges and more!

Membership and MarketingCommittee

Guelph Wellington SeniorsAssociation

Meet monthly on the 2nd Tuesday ofthe month; assist and attend 3 newmembers receptions and one openhouse; assist with the promotion andmarketing for the GWSA.

One-time Event AssistantImmigrant ServicesGuelph-Wellington

Assist staff member with setting up forour fundraising event, movingfurniture, setting up tables and chairs.Must be able to lift heavy objects (20pounds)

University of Guelph CampusFriends Program Assistant

You can help a student at yourUniversity with an intellectualdisability have an awesome campusexperience by giving them an hour ofyour time once or twice a week byjoining them on FUN activities oncampus!

Brain Tumour Walk VolunteerGuelph Brain Tumour

Support Group

Committee members plan the BrainTumour Walk from the kick-off to thewrap-up. Some committee membersfocus on recruiting volunteers and

securing sponsorships. Others focus onevent logistics and find ways toenhance the event experience.Planning committee meetings are heldapproximately once a month, withmore frequent meetings closer to theevent. Committee members are alwayswel-come. It is never too late to jointhe Walk Planning Committee.

We are also looking for volunteers whocan help promote and work the day ofthe event!

For more information on these andother opportunities in Guelph, visit

www.pinnetwork.ca.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIESIN KITCHENER-WATERLOO

Parkwood Seniors Community

Help seniors with their range of motionand muscle strength, enhance socialskills and provide fun throughexercise.

Big Brothers Big Sistersof Waterloo Region

Join in-school mentoring and provideelementary students, who could benefitfrom extra support, with a caring adultmentor.

Volunteer Action Centre

Support the upcoming EPYC2018:Building Community events. Workwith teens at events in Kitchener andWaterloo.

Canadian Cancer Society

Help recruit and recognize one of themost important aspects of the Relay forLife event: survivors!

Nutrition for Learning

Prepare and serve a variety ofnutritious breakfast items at RockwayPublic School and Driftwood PublicSchool.

Rare Charitable Research Reserve

Join us as an educational assistant atthe March Break ECO Camp! GainExperience in environmental edu-cation.

For more information on these andother opportunities in Kitchener-

Waterloo, visit www.volunteerkw.ca.

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BL-INKby Francine Lee

blue black skyof liquid ink

fingers dippedinto the well,

direct the night

strains of Bizetthrob in my veins

slip through crevices in my skin

Carmen swirls her red skirts.In ovation,

the day begins!

(FYI, the bl of bl-ink stands forblue/black ink used to composethe music, the words sung in theopera, and to try to describe the

effect when I write about it.)

ALL RIGHT SO FARby Sheila Balls

Do you know the poem about theoptimist who fell ten stories? At eachwindow bar, the story goes, he calledto his friends who watched fromabove, “All right so far!” Sometimesover the past twenty years I played theoptimist calling up to my husbandCarl. Far more often, he fell as Iwatched from above.

I like to describe my earlier books ofpersonal essays as “light and fluffy”.Oh there were a few sad moments, andmore than a few nostalgic ones. Butwhenever I did readings, it was thehumour audiences looked for.

They wanted to hear about Carltrapped on the roof in a lightningstorm, calling down the chimney“Bring Daddy a broom!” They wantedto visualize the Driveway Ark, andimagine Carl’s face as he heard newsof his Christmas gift to me, a lampwith another customer’s frog figurineattached to it: “I’m afraid there’s beenan accident in the kiln.”

If I was a writer, then Carl was a majorcontributor . . . to the stories, and to thefun in our lives, and to our marriage tothat point. But approaching the turn ofthe century, the turn of the millennium,we became an ordinary couple at a nolonger ordinary time in our life.Holding strong to a sacred marriageplagued by one health crisis afteranother, with the routine of life mixedin between, we had to learn who wewere now in those rare moments thatmake up the calm before the storm.

“Twin trains,” I told my closest friends,“I feel like we are hurtling downhill ontwin trains of health and marriagecrisis, but there is no one at thecontrols.” Our relationship of almostthirty years was changing. Carl waschanging, both emotionally andphysically. And life was speeding upjust when it was supposed to slowdown.

The setting for our story is Bass Lake,a little jewel, green in colour, with onlysix properties on our side of the shore.On top of a cliff, surrounded by forest,and backed by a meadow where theneighbours cows (errant cows I mustnote!) grazed, we added two rooms toa small cottage, and looked across thewater at the sunrise, hardly believingour luck to live in such a place. I couldwalk to the highway in ten minutes,and the drive to work was twenty-five,not a problem unless there is a majorsnowstorm.

Carl was a Bruce Peninsula farm boy,raised on land that seemed to be morestones than earth. He started teachingat the age of eighteen, incrediblyyoung because he had been enrolled ingrade one at age four. He was brightand quick thinking, good with hishands, always looking to make peoplelaugh.

I had grown up in the north, oldestchild in a railroading family, raisedafter age fifteen by my widowedmother, but supported as well byloving aunts in the same community.Books and music were my life (notmuch has changed there!) and Carl wasdetermined to draw me out, toencourage me to try new things, to helpme gain confidence. Meanwhile, hecreated . . . with a spoon, a trowel, ahammer, a paintbrush.

We did the hard work of raisingchildren, first a son, Michael, and thenCatherine two years younger. As afamily we tended gardens and took incats, hiked to the neighbourhood

waterfall, fed the ducks at the park, andcooked together. As the childrenbecame more self sufficient, ourinterest turned to music, blacklighttheatre, variety shows. The childrenjoined in the fun, Michael sometimesin the sound-booth with Carl, both ofthem dressed in black acting out theirfather’s ingenious blacklight routines.We knew life was good. I had the ideathat as long as I never took that forgranted, as long as I was appropriatelygrateful, things would stay the same.

From All Right So Far: “But thingsnever stay the same. Lives can alter inan instant. With us the changes slippedup from behind like waves piling thewater higher and higher. Crisisfollowed crisis until we grew used toambulances hurtling through the forest,taxis delivering medications, andnurses bustling in and out of our home.

Hand in hand with the medicalsituation, came the fading out of apreviously vibrant marriage, onepartner not even noticing, the otherbewildered at first, then increasinglyanxious to restore the way it used tobe.”

Neither Carl nor I fully understood atthe time, why he had grownincreasingly anxious to be useful, tofind meaning out in the world, but thechanges I saw in him left me feelingtroubled and abandoned. The choice, itseemed, was to fight or flee. I preparedto fight for the survival of ourmarriage.

It is my hope that All Right So Far willbe classified as an inspirationalmemoir. It tells the story of an intensetwelve years, a story I hope mightencourage people with their ownchallenging health and marriagejourneys, and one which ultimately canoffer a sense of hope and humour.

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19

Feng ShuiMarch 17th, 11-2 pmThe ButterflyShift

349 Highbrook Cr, Kitchener

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art that teaches us how to balance and improve the overallenergies in our space, resulting in a healthy flow of Chi (energy) in our homes, around us and within.

During this 3 hr workshop, we will learn "The Black Sec" method of Feng Shui, which is very easyto apply and much simpler then the "Classic" Feng Shui method where compass accuracy isrequired. Together we will explore the 9 areas of the Bagua Map and how each of these areasdirectly impacts your inner and outer world.

Feng Shui elements and how they play an very important roll in balancing and radiating theenergy in your environment, fostering personal growth and nature.Creative, productive and destructive cycles of the elements and how to simply, yet powerfullyapply cures to your living spaces.Clearing and clutter! We will discuss how to clear with passion, clarity and love...The negative associations we often attach to certain items, and how effective this process is torestore balance making room for new energy to come into your life!

At the end of this 3 hour class, you will leave with your own detailed work book to help you applythese techniques within your home or business.

Investment is $40 and will include a workbook, tea/coffee/water and light snacks.To hold your place, etransfer TerryAnn @ t.connelly@hotmail.com

Limited spaces are available for this event,and cancellations 24 hrs prior to event will be non-refundable.

NEXT MONTH ....IN ONE THOUSAND TREES

Our focus for April is Aboriginal/Indigenous Issues

“We are all visitors to this time,this place. We are just passingthrough. Our purpose here is toobserve, to learn, to grow, to love... and then we return home.”

~ Australian Aboriginal Proverb

Do you have an inspiring story you’dlike to share?

If you know of any community wellnessevents taking place in April, pleasecomplete and send us the Event Listingform found on the magazine page ofour website.

Articles are always welcome for any ofour “regular” departments ...

ConnectionsCreativity and the Arts

Food and NutritionGiving Back

Health and WellbeingThe Library

Deadline for submissions isMarch 20.

As always, we look forward to hearingfrom you with any feedback or articleideas!

lisa@onethousandtrees.com

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