Little Miss Sunshine

It seems that over the past few years, I have attended too many funerals of people who have passed away far too young.  This week-end, we said our farewell to yet another person who had so much life left to live and so much joy to spread.  Debbie was not someone I saw very often, but when we ran into each other, she was always smiling and was always excited about something or other that was happening in her life.  Whether it was stopping in at my office to pick up yet another one of our fund-raising cook-books, or shopping for plants at a greenhouse, it seemed everything was a reason for Debbie to be happy and excited about.  There was something about Debbie that made you smile just thinking about her.  I became friends with her sister-in-law, Stacey, and because of that friendship, I had the opportunity to see Debbie a little more often.

Stacey and Debbie’s cousin, Mary, gave her eulogy and they verified what I had always thought of Debbie. I had assumed the Debbie I knew was the public one and that perhaps she was not that way all the time in private. However, in their loving tribute to her, Stacey and Mary shared happy and poignant stories of Debbie and spoke of her love of family and friends. She loved “sparkly” things and had many items that shone and sparkled in her home, things like indoor Christmas lights all year long, dozens of solar lights in her back yard and bright, colourful items throughout her house. This was a lady who went through life in pink sparkling runners – literally.  They were placed next to her urn, a testament to the energetic bubbly person Debbie had been. 

Debbie’s life and funeral has made me look at myself, perhaps because we were very similar in age and in the number of years we were married.  Because of that, I wonder how difficult it must have been for her those last months and weeks.  I have so much more I want to do, so many more places I want to visit and so much left to say. I’m not ready to go yet.  I suspect Debbie must have felt the same.  Still, she faced death through the months leading to it with her usual smile and enthusiasm for life.  I did not know Debbie as well as many others at her funeral did, yet I feel a tremendous loss at losing her.  I can only imagine how her family must feel. That was Debbie in a nutshell: she cast her magic wand on all who knew her and all who had the good fortune of meeting her and left a lasting impression of a sunshine smile. 

Her funeral card had a picture of her in a field of yellow flowers with her arms outstretched, wearing a straw sunhat.  The caption over the picture simply said “Little Miss Sunshine”.  Indeed she was, in all the things she surrounded herself with and within herself.  You will be missed, Debbie, and never forgotten.

The Village

Last week-end I set up my Christmas village.  Every Christmas, when I line up the houses, make sure the lights are all working and arrange the people and accessories so they are just perfect, my thoughts never fail to go back to when I was a very young girl and to the woman who instilled in me the joy of having a little Christmas village, Mrs. Richard.

Frank and Henriette Richard were friends with my parents.  They spent a lot of time together, visiting back and forth a great deal.  The Richards were wonderful people and were a part of many of our family events.

 One of my most vivid memories of Mrs. Richard is of a holiday supper she invited my family to. In my child’s mind, she had a wonderful sense of style and I loved everything in her home.  She had many beautiful ornaments and objects on display for the Christmas season.  But what caught my eye the most that night was her Christmas village. The ceramic houses were beautiful, each one beaming brightly through the darkness of Mrs. Richard’s dimly-lit living room. The colourful lights shining through stained-glass windows captivated me and I kept returning to the display time and time again over the evening.  I could not get enough of Mrs. Richard’s colourful display.  With each house lit up, I could see each detail of the little village. Through the windows, I could see the interior of the church, of restaurants and of homes. I loved how the tiny town glowed and twinkled.  I had never in my short life seen anything like it. I loved Mrs. Richard's village and I decided that I would have one too when I grew up. A few short years after that Christmas meal, Mr. and Mrs. Richard moved away to British Columbia and I never saw them again.

I kept that I promise to myself.  I purchased a little plastic village the first Christmas after I left home.  Each year, I took it out of its box, plugged it in, admiring its beauty.  Eventually, the plastic village gave way to a beautiful set of ceramic houses, just like the ones I remember Mrs. Richard having.  My village has grown over the years.  Most of the pieces were gifts given to me by my family.  I write the name of the person who gave me each building and accessory so that I will never forget who gave me each piece.  Every Christmas season, one of the first things I do is to set up my beautiful village. I love each house, store, restaurant and the people who inhabit the village.  As I plug in each house and place each character, my mind wanders back to that little girl who gazed so lovingly and longingly at Mrs. Richard's creation. She is long gone now, and never knew how her winter scene would stay with me and that someday I would have my own village, just as I had promised myself so many years ago. She would never guess that, after all these years, I think of her each Christmas as I set up my own village, inspired by hers.  This year is no different.  As I set my display again, I silently thanked Mrs. Richard for her inspiration and wished her a very Merry Christmas. 

 Keeping holidays traditions alive . . . it’s a good thing!

Marathon of Hope

In this blog, I often urge readers to strive to make a difference, and I often comment on how one person can cause change.  I really believe this, but sometimes I need a little reminder.  One a recent trip to Vancouver, I was given such a reminder and I was once again amazed at the difference one person can make.  This realization came in the form of the Terry Fox Memorial Plaza at BC Place.  We always hear about, and many of us take part in, annual Terry Fox runs which are held all over the world.  And while we all know the story about Terry’s determination to raise money for cancer research and his attempt to cross Canada on foot in an effort to do so, we tend to forget how it all started.  I think we often forget that the millions of dollars raised and the awareness of cancer and cancer research which seem so common place now was not true when Terry began his Marathon of Hope. 

The memorial to Terry Fox was created by visual artist and author, Douglas Coupland.  Coupland wrote a book about Terry and then was commissioned to create the artistic tribute.  The memorial consists of a series of four bronze statues of Terry, each one bigger than the other to create the illusion of Terry running.  The poignant inscription explains that the statues face Stanley Park, which was where Terry intended to end his marathon by dipping his foot in the Pacific Ocean, having begun by dipping his foot in the Atlantic Ocean. 

But it was the long inscription on a plague by the artist which reminded me  how one person can make a difference in the world – in this case, a very young man who decided to take on the mission of creating cancer awareness and raising money for cancer research.  According to Coupland, when Terry was diagnosed with cancer it was mostly a “taboo” topic, people simply did not talk about it.  Also at that time, very little money was being raised for research, especially in Canada.  Terry decided he would attempt to change that by walking across Canada, even though one of his legs had been amputated.  But even more incredibly, he decided he would run the equivalent of one marathon a day.  As we all know, in September, 1980 after running 143 days and 5,373 kilometers, Fox was forced to stop his Marathon of Hope because his cancer had returned.  In June, 1981 Terry Fox passed away, but his dream did not die.  It lives on in the millions of people who have taken part in Terry Fox runs all over the world in the thirty-two years since he died and in the millions of dollars raised for cancer research.  All of this, because one person decided to make a difference. 

What struck me the most was a line in Coupland’s plague which ponders that had Terry Fox not attempted the Marathon of Hope, had he taken better care of himself and not devoted so much to the run, his cancer might not have returned.  He might have gone on to live a long life and have a successful career, and he might have married and had children.  Not only did this one person change the way the world sees cancer and cancer research, he made the ultimate sacrifice in doing so. 

Terry Fox inspired fellow British Columbian’s Steven Fonyo and Rick Hansen to create their own marathons, as well as millions of people who run in his memory every year.  Remembering that one person can make a difference and change the world.. . . it’s a good thing! 

Joni's Garden

 

 

I just knew I would keep going back each year.  The peacefulness and beauty found in Joni Hladun’s garden calls out to me, and so it was that I and my sister showed up on her doorstep last week to enjoy her wonderful creation.  What makes the visit even more special is Joni’s obvious joy in sharing her amazing garden.  She guides you through it with descriptions of where items originated, who built what, which artist created a painting or sculpture, often punctuated by her infectious laughter.  This woman is as amazing as her garden.

            The space in front and behind the Hladun home is a whimsical world of plants, flowers and ornaments.  You can feel the magic of this special place the moment you step out of your vehicle and look up toward the house.  No matter where your eyes turn, there is beauty in the form of plants, decorations and art.  One of my favorite items in the front yard is an old door which has been cleverly converted into a plant holder. 

            Walking through the gate which leads to the backyard is like being on a magical journey.  Again this year, as I did last year, I found myself walking around the yard several times.  Each time around the yard brought something different to my attention.  The yard is breathtaking!  There is everything from angel statues to wagon wheels, fountains, pottery and unique bird houses (built by Joni’s husband Ben).  There are flowers of every kind.  Joni told us there are over four hundred flower pots in her yard.  She has every kind of flower in her yard, shade-loving or sun-loving depending on their location, each one showing off their beautiful foliage and colour.

            Everyday items have been re-purposed into planters and decorations.  Joni has taken freezer baskets and turned them into beautiful handing plant containers.   There are mirrors and paintings throughout her yard.  Trunks are filled with plants or pottery and sit among the plants.   The cheerful paintings blend in so well that they become part of the landscape.  There are several ceramic sun faces watching over the property.  An over one hundred-year old tree whose branches cover the entire back yard lets in sunlight at various locations and intervals during the day.  At the base of the tree, Joni has gathered and arranged a collection of white pottery and statues.  Several paintings are hung on the tree trunk, reminding us once again that artwork is not only for the walls of your house. 

          When you are enjoying the beauty of this wonderful place, it is hard to believe you are only half-a-block from a busy city street.  From the moment you arrive until you leave, there is a smile on your face.  This is truly a little piece of paradise. Spaces that are good for your soul . . . it's a good thing!

Regina's Good Samaritan

I love stories about good Samaritans.  I especially love those stories when that good Samaritan lives in Saskatchewan.  When I came across the story about the deed performed by  Darren Bezborotko from Regina, I just knew I had to share it in this column.

            Two years ago, Juanita Ledoux, also of Regina, had a very ill six year old son, Owen.  She had taken him to the doctor several times, and tests had been scheduled for Owen.  However, his condition deteriorated to the point that she decided she had to take her son to emergency at the Regina General Hospital.  She and Owen began to walk to the hospital, but he was so ill that he kept falling down on his hands and knees.  Juanita would help him up, but she could not carry him and so they slowly made their way down the street.

            Darren drove by and observed Juanita and Owen.  He stopped to ask them what was wrong.  When he realized how ill Owen was, he helped them into his vehicle and drove them to the hospital.  After Owen was admitted, Juanita was received the diagnosis.  Owen had terminal brain cancer. 

            Darren and Juanita parted after he dropped the two off at the hospital.  But they each thought of the other over the past two years.  Darren could not forget the image of the sick little boy and his mother as they tried to walk to the hospital.  He had said a prayer for him at the hospital doors, and often wondered what happened to them and how things had worked out for them.  He wondered if the little boy was ok.

            Juanita also thought of Darren.  She didn’t know his name, but she wanted to thank him for helping her that day and for bringing such kindness and light on that dark day two years ago.  Last week, Darren’s wife Trish saw a story on-line about Juanita’s search for her good Samaritan and Trish knew the story had to be about Darren. 

            Within a few days, Juanita and Darren once again met.  It was a poignant reunion.  No one knows how much time Owen has left, and both Juanita and Darren were so grateful that Darren had the opportunity to meet Owen once more.   Juanita was pleased to finally be able to thank the stranger who helped her and her son. 

            Juanita feels this is an important story.  She wants people to know how one simple act of kindness can make a world of difference to someone in pain.   Both families plan on staying in touch with each other.  A new friendship has been formed.

            How different this story would have been if Darren had simply driven away and chosen not to get involved.  His simple act of kindness gave Juanita the strength to make it through that terrible day and two families who likely would never have met, are now friends and share a special bond.   I wonder how many of us would have stopped to help this worried mother and very ill little boy?   I hope that by sharing this story, Juanita’s hope of people spreading kindness and helping each other will be realized.

             Being a good Samaritan to someone in need . . . it's a good thing!

Jessica Cox

  Sometimes a person becomes discouraged by what life throws at you.  At times like that, I think of Jessica Cox and suddenly my trials don’t seem so monumental and I know I can do whatever I set my mind to.  Jessica Cox is one of the amazing young people I have come across.  At the age of thirty, she has already accomplished things most people only dream of.  What makes this so remarkable is that Jessica was born without arms.  She has a rare defect which did not show up in any of her mother’s pre-natal tests.  Her parents decided at her birth that they would not feel sorry for her and that she would have a normal and fulfilling life.  Well, her life has been anything but normal -  because of her many accomplishments.

            As a child and a teenager, she was a dancer.  She learned to tie her shoes, write, type, brush her hair and do almost anything a person with arms can do, using her feet.  She has an unrestricted driver’s license and drives a vehicle without modifications, handling the steering wheel with her feet.  She pumps her own gas.  Jessica can put in and remove her contact lenses using her feet!  She was fitted with prosthetic arms but has not used them since the age of fourteen, finding it easier to use her feet.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Arizona.  She has never let her missing arms destroy her spirit and love of life.

            Jessica is a certified scuba diver.  She holds a double black belt in Tai Kwon-Do.  But even more amazing, this incredible young woman is an accomplished pilot.  She flies a 415C Ercoupe airplane using her feet.  She is in the Guinness World Book of Records for being the first person ever certified to fly an airplane with only her feet.  She has a t-shirt she often wears when flying which says “Look Ma – no hands!”    Her accomplishments have also been included in Ripley’s Believe it or Not.

       Jessica works as a motivational speaker and has brought her message of hope and determination to twenty countries.  She encourages people to be creative and innovative, especially those with any type of disability.  Her slogan for her workshops is “Think outside the shoe”.  Her enthusiasm and determination are contagious.  She is a very strong spokesperson for the disabled. In her travels she has met many interesting people, including Pope Benedict, Harrison Ford, Senator John McCain and Ellen Degeneres. 

            What an inspirational woman she is.  Jessica Cox is a living proof that a person can do anything they set their mind to, sometimes by doing it in a different way from everyone else.  The important thing is to figure out how to do it, and then do it.  Staying positive, no matter what . . . it's a good thing!

Not Ready To Let Go

He is ninety-four years old, and the world is not yet ready to let him go.  The hospitalization of Nelson Mandela made head-line news around world, and people stood outside his hospital in Pretoria praying for his recovery.  Such is the magnetism of Mandela that even at the age of ninety-four, people want and expect him to live and be well.  Few in South Africa can imagine their country without his presence, even though he has not been involved in political life since 2004, when he retired as President at the age of eighty-four.  The well-wishers who gathered on the street in front of his hospital ranged from  young people who were not old enough to vote for him when he was politically active to people who waited for him through-out his twenty-seven years of imprisonment and saw him become their President. 

            Nelson is indeed an amazing man.  The passionate leader of the anti-apartheid movement was born into a South African royal family.  He attended university and went to law school.   In 1953, he and a partner opened their law firm in downtown Johannesburg , the only African law firm in the entire country.  Their legal services were used mostly by aggrieved Africans and most cases dealt with police brutality.   Soon, authorities forced the lawyers to close their popular office by removing their office permit.  The forced relocation to a less prominent location caused the decline of clients.  These were the years that saw Mandela become politically active as he led the fight against apartheid.  Throughout the following years, Mandela was placed under several travel bans and eventually was imprisoned for his beliefs and actions.

            When running for the office of President of South Africa, Mandela promoted peace rather than revenge and committed to peace and reconciliation.  After he won the election, Mandela presided over the transition to a multicultural democracy from apartheid.  He considered national reconciliation as his main goal.  He was the glue which held his country together when it was going through its most difficult time. 

            Mandela became a national and world-wide hero.  Along with his political convictions, what made him stand apart were his charisma and the regal manner in which he always carried himself.  No matter what life threw at him, he held on to his dignity and pride.  He won many awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize and met with many world leaders.  He brought world attention to South Africa and the people there have never forgotten what he fought for and what he accomplished. 

            So, it is easy to understand why South Africans pray for his recovery.  It is no wonder the world is not ready to say goodbye to this man.  We know the day will come sooner than later, but we just want to have him with us for a little longer.   Acklnowledging a truly great man . . .  it's a good thing!

Sans Nom Poets

I love to support local talent – whether it is musicians or visual performers, art shows or readings by writers.  It is important that we celebrate the creativity of people in our own community. I attend many concerts, art shows and readings and I am always amazed at the calibre and quality of our home-grown talent.

Tonight I attended a very special book launch.  The book called “Skating in the Exit Light” was released in celebration of the 20^th anniversary of the Sans Nom Poets.  Sans Nom is a group of poets who, over the years, have written together and supported each other as books were published or rejected,  as life-changing events occurred in their personal and professional  lives and who have helped each other make that poem just a little better.

Seventeen authors have contributed to the book.  All are very talented and several have had books published and/or their work published.  Two very special people to me are in that group and read their works that night: Veryl Coghill and Lynda Monahan.

Lynda is an amazing poet. Her words draw you into her world as she writes about the pain of losing her mother and her brother.  She wrote a poem for her sister who has severe health issues.  She read a poem which she wrote for a lifelong friend who passed away last year. She expressed regret that she did not write it for him when he was alive. An important lesson taught through her prose: make sure to tell the people you love how you feel. Don't wait until it is too late.  Lynda spins magic with her words and listening to her, one experiences the emotions she wraps around each of her poems. 

Veryl Coghill’s contribution to the book is a powerful tribute to her mother who passed away two years ago.  The typical complicated mother/daughter relationship that we all share is brought to life in Veryl’s poem.  Again there is the lesson to share your feelings and to tell those you love how much you care before it is too late.  Veryl uses the songs and stories of her childhood and intertwines them with her own words, creating a magical world in which when you read her poem you can hear the music of your own childhood in the background. 

All the poets who read their work that night have amazing stories to tell and are greatly talented. What a wonderful idea it was to have these amazing people with incredible poetic abilities join together for an evening to share their work with the public.  Their poetry is wonderful gift they share with all of us.  We are indeed fortunate to have such talent in our city. 

Enjoying the talents and work of people in our own community . . . it's a good thing!

Pledge of Hope

One of my favorite “givers” is Bill Gates.  He is, of course, the co-founder of Microsoft.  I have always admired Gates for his spirit of giving. My first introduction to his generosity was in the 1990’s when he donated computers to every library in North America (including Prince Albert’s library). He continued to give to many different charities and organizations over the years.

 

By now most of us have heard of his latest and most generous project in which he has pledged to give away at least half of his fortune, and he is inspiring other billionaires to give away some of their money! In 2010, Gates, his wife Melinda Gates and his friend Warren Buffet created a new organization called "The Giving Pledge". This exclusive club consists of only billionaires and they must pledge to give away at least half of their total wealth to charity during their life or after their death. The extremely wealthy in the USA are impressed, and this organization has received an incredible response.  After only three years in existence, The Giving Pledge now includes almost ninety families of billionaires!  Last week, Sir Richard Branson signed up and he has pledged to give away at least half of his vast fortune.  All indications are that he actually plans to give more than half away.  In recent months, George Lucas, Mark Zuckerberg and Ted Turner have made similar pledges.   With so many struggling families in North America, it is admirable that Gates and friends would help out in this unique and generous manner. By being very public about their donations, members of the Giving Pledge hope to inspire others to share their good fortune. They believe that when people know what others are giving, they are more likely to also give.  This is true of other billionaires, but the Giving Pledge hopes to inspire us all to donate what we can.  Big or small, every donation and act of kindness impacts the lives of others.

 

Bill Gates could have chosen live in his own world of comfort and excess, and to turn a blind eye to the hardship of others. It is interesting to note that he has fallen from number one to two on the Forbes List of Billionaires even though he continues to generate incredible wealth.  The reason Gates is no longer number one is because he has given away so much of his wealth. Imagine: in 2011, he literally gave away his title as the World’s Richest Man.  How refreshing and wonderful that he not only helps by donating half of his incredible wealth, but inspires other wealthy families to do so as well.  Gates and Buffet are now contacting  billionaires from other countries in the hope of having them join the Giving Pledge.  It will be interesting and exciting to see which billionaire is the next to sign up.  Bill Gates is an intelligent man with billions of dollars and a heart of gold who can talk the super rich into a super pledge.  One on the richest men in the world, he chose to share his wealth to help others, beginning in his own back yard.  It doesn’t get any better than that!  Sharing the wealth . . . it's a good thing!

A Woman of Distinction

Last night, the Prince Albert YWCA held its Women of Distinction award banquet at which they honoured five deserving women. One of the women they honoured, Lynda Monahan, holds a special place in my heart and I am so pleased she was chosen.

            Lynda was honoured in the Arts, Culture and Heritage category for her enormous contribution in the field of writing. A wonderful and passionate poet, two books of her poetry have been published. Both books, “A Slow Dance In The Flames” and ‘What My Body Knows” were nominated for a Saskatchewan Book Award. Her second book was also nominated for a World Guild Writing Award. Her work has been published in many magazines, including Grain, Fire, Amethyst Review, Other Voices and many others. Her poetry has been broadcast on both provincial and national CBS radio programs.

            Lynda does a great deal of work in the community. She has instructed special workshops at Prince Albert Youth Outreach Program and has facilitated a series of workshops for inmates at Pine Grove Correctional Centre and for at-risk youth in the Eagle Program. Lynda has worked with adults who have acquired brain injuries and their families, resulting in the book “With A Smile and a Tear: Family’s Story of Acquired Brain Injury”. She has completed a Saskatchewan Writers Guild ArtSmart youth mentorship program for young writers. Lynda has worked with our local schools, Commonweal, Canadian Mental Health Association and Prince Albert Foster Families. Through all of this, she still finds time to teach a Creative Writing class at SIAST. Through her work, Lynda has brought joy, healing and purpose to many lives.

            Lynda is a wonderful a passionate teacher and injects her love of writing to all who take part in her classes and workshops. She inspires all those she teaches into putting their thoughts and feelings down on paper. Under her guidance, her students develop the self-confidence they need in order to write and the bravery to show others what they have written. I know this first hand as I have been one of Lynda’s students. To be a student in one of her classes is to know that you are being led by a passionate teacher who finds good in everyone and, in fact, brings out the best in all her students. Lynda guides her students along with positive advice and encouragement.

            At the Women of Distinction award ceremony, many of Lynda’s past and present students were in attendance to see her receive her award. Their presence is evidence of what makes Lynda so special. It is an indication of the effectiveness of her teaching, the far reaches of her compassion and her calm, encouraging personality, that all who begin as students in her class inevitably come to consider her a life-long friend.

            Congratulations, my friend. Well done.  Deserving people receiving recognition . . . it’s a good thing.

 

 

An Angel In Our City

I attended a very special ceremony last week.  The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award was presented to Prince Albert’s only recipient,  Marie Mathers-Ross.  This award is being presented to deserving people across Canada to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. 

I have known Marie for approximately ten years and she has never ceased to amaze me with her generosity and commitment to helping others.  She has resided in Prince Albert since 1966.  Since then, many organizations and individuals in Prince Albert, and indeed, across Saskatchewan, have benefited from Marie’s extensive leadership skills, expertise and enthusiasm.   Marie continually gives of herself to her community. She volunteers a great deal of time and puts tremendous effort into everything she does. 

She works diligently with the Royal Canadian Legion, the Federal Prison Officers’ Club of Saskatchewan and the Federal Superannuates Association of Prince Albert and District.  She does so because she believes it is extremely important to honour those who have worked and sacrificed to permit us to have the quality of life we now enjoy.   Marie has also worked extensively with the St. John Ambulance and the Provincial Emergency Measures Organization.

Marie has always been a strong advocate for newcomers to our city.  She is fluent in English, French, German and Yiddish, which is beneficial when working with families who have chosen to make Prince Albert their home.  These skills and talents are also put to good use as a member of the Prince Albert Multicultural Association, the Prince Albert Housing Authority and the Welcome Wagon in facilitating their integration into our community.

Marie’s sharing heart, compassionate soul and commitment to the most vulnerable in our community has led her to work with the Prince Albert Food Bank, the Downtown Improvement Association and the Prince Albert Council of Women. Marie was very involved with Girl Guides and the Boy Scouts of Canada for over forty years.  She assumed many roles in the scouting movement. 

Marie has received many awards in recognition of her outstanding contributions throughout her lifetime.  She has been the recipient of the scout’s movement’s Good Service to Scouting and Medal of Merit.  She was honoured with the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal.  The Prince Albert YWCA’s Women of Distinction honoured her with the Lifetime Achievement Award.  She has received the Council of Women’s Certificate of Recognition of Women Leaders in Prince Albert.  As well, she has received the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal.

Throughout all of these years of service to her community, Marie was a wife and a mother of a large family. 

 The last few years have seen Marie struggle with health issues and surgeries, but still she continues to give of herself.  I have seen her come home from Saskatoon after a medical procedure and, rather than rest, head off to one of her many meetings.  She books her meetings and hours of volunteerism around her doctor appointments. 

As I watched Marie, her tiny frame sitting on the huge official chair at City Hall, it struck me again how one person can make a difference in the world.  I admire her strength in the face of the many struggles she has dealt with and her commitment to her community.  She understands how the actions of one person can change the life of another. 

Congratulations, Marie, on this well-deserved recognition.  You are truly an angel and we in Prince Albert are fortunate to have you working for us.  Special people receiving well-deserved recognition . . .  it's a good thing!

Magical Garden

I recently had the opportunity to visit an amazing garden hidden behind a quiet residential street right here in Prince Albert. Joni Hladun has created a truly whimsical and magical world of plants, colourful flowers and unique decorations and ornaments. As a result, she has a little bit of paradise right at her doorstep.

 Since visiting Joni’s garden, I have been told there was a time when Prince Albert had a garden tour and that this garden was a favorite stop. Several others have told me they have visited her garden many times over the years. It would appear that I was one of the very few who were not aware of this beautiful yard.

 The magic begins as soon as you park your vehicle and walk onto the driveway. Plants, planters, decorations, stones and even a door transformed into a plant holder greet you as you walk toward the house. One hardly knows where to look first, there is so much beauty to take in. And that is only the beginning.

 When Joni opens the gate to the back yard, the scene is breath taking. Again you do not know where to look first. I found that when walking through the yard several times, something different caught my eye each time. You can find everything from angels to antique farm implements, mirrors to bird houses, ornaments of every kind, wonderful little hide-a-ways to sit and relax in and, oh yes, hundreds of plants. The greenery throughout the landscape represents every type of plant, shade-loving or sun-kissed depending on their location. Delightful flowers of every colour seem to smile up at you.

 This creative woman has taken every day objects and turned them into planters and unusual decorations. She has hung mirrors and paintings throughout her yard. The paintings are bright and cheerful images of flowers, which blend perfectly into the rest of the yard. There is a hammock under her one-hundred-and-twelve-year old tree. She has one-of-a-kind, commissioned iron-work birds resting among one of her flower beds. As well, there are fountains of bubbling water which add to the peaceful atmoshphere.

 This is a quiet and serene home. The garden is a peaceful and wonderful place. It feels like it is a world away from the busy street only half a block away. Joni has used her imagination to create a wonderful and unusual green space.

 I can only imagine how many hours and years have gone into the creation and upkeep of this yard and how much work it has taken, but for those of us who get to enjoy its beauty, we are very grateful.  Discovering a magical, whimsical garden . . .  it’s a good thing!

 

Forgiveness

Last week, we heard the sad story of the fifteen-year-old driver who collided with a train near Broadview.  The collision resulted in the death of his seven-year-old brother and eleven-year-old sister, as well as two friends, girls aged ten years and eighteen years. Such a tragic event and a sad loss of young lives.  One can only imagine the emotions the young driver is experiencing and the guilt and sadness he is surely feeling.

 My faith in human kindness and compassion has once again been validated upon hearing the father of the deceased ten-year-old speak words of comfort to the driver through the media.  How incredible that in his sorrow and heartache, this man who has just lost a young daughter, would find it in his heart to be concerned about the feelings and well-being of the driver.  Both parents spoke out to reassure this young man that they did not hold him responsible.  They said their daughter had died having fun with her best friends and that she had been having a wonderful summer holiday.  These wonderful people reached out to the driver with the message that  “with everything he’s going through with the collison, they wanted him to know they carry no hard feelings”. 

I wonder how many of us would be so compassionate after the loss of a child?  I think perhaps we would be too consumed with grief and bitterness to worry about the feelings of the driver. Would we want to lash out at the driver and blame him for killing our child?  Or would we be like these parents and consider that there is enough pain and sorrow and do what we could to ease the pain of a young man who will likely never totally overcome the guilt?  I think it is amazing these parents acted so quickly to reassure the driver of their faith in him and to tell him they did not hold him responsible.  To be so completely forgiving and concerned immediately after a personal tragedy is incredible.  I have no doubt this couple will work their way through their sorrow much quicker because of the love they have for others and because of their charitable act.  They will not have bitterness and blame getting in the way of their recovery. 

I think that out of this terrible event emerges the story we need to remember:  how one grieving couple reached out to offer words of comfort and support to a young man, and how they put their own grief on hold in order to give out that comfort and support.  I hope, as they do, that their words and actions will help a fifteen-year-old driver overcome his guilt and remorse,  and that he will be able to build a life for himself. Building a better world by caring for those around us . . .  it's a good thing!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

                                                                                                
Do you remember the movie “A League of Their Own” starring Rosie O’Donnell, Madonna and Gena Davis? The movie was based on the true story of an American women’s professional ball league organized because major league baseball was postponed during World War II. The league was started by Chicago Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley.  I did not know that one of those players was a young woman from Regina.  Her name was Mary Baker, although she was more widely known as Bonnie Baker.  She was internationally renowned as an outstanding catcher, batter and base runner. She was also known for her beauty, having been a model prior to playing ball, and the media at that time often referred to her as “Pretty Bonnie Baker”.   Being beautiful didn’t stop her from being a great ball player – in 1946 she stole 94 bases and batted .286.  Although all the characters in  “A League of Their Own” were fictional, it is believed that Gena Davis’ character was based on Baker’s life.

Baker played in the league for nine seasons, taking one year off to have her only child. In 1950 she was traded to the Kalamazoo Lassies and became the first-ever player/manager. She was the only player to ever hold that position. After the 1950 season, the league passed a rule outlawing female managers.  In 1954, Baker returned to Regina and led Regina’s softball team to provincial, Western Canadian and World Ladies Softball championships. Baker broke into another male dominated career when she became the first female sports broadcaster in Canada in 1964.

I really didn’t know much about Mary Baker until I accidently came across her name on a web site about Saskatchewan women.  Thankfully someone has decided it is important that we remember Saskatchewan women who were not afraid to live their dreams and who made a difference.   I googled her name and found a clip of Baker’s appearance on the television program “What’s My Line” from the early 1950’s.  It’s an interesting clip in that it is obvious that no one quite knew how to interact with such a successful woman.  The bridge between dependent woman and independent career woman had not yet been crossed by many in the 1950’s. 

Baker did receive a great deal of recognition over the years. She was inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and the American Baseball Hall of Fame.

Mary “Bonnie” Baker died in 2003. At her funeral, her career was celebrated and acknowledged by mourners who sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”.   Learning about and celebrating the lives of woman who paved the way for the rest of us . . .  it's a good thing!

Best Fashion Show Ever

A very unique event once again took place this year in our city. Wesmor Community High School hosted its second annual fashion show last week. While fashion shows are not unique, this one is part of a wonderful program started by two teachers three years ago as a way to help their graduating students enjoy their special day.

Many of the girls who graduate from Wesmor Community High School cannot afford to buy new dresses for their graduation.  The two Wesmor teachers decided that the graduates should enjoy their day. The students have worked hard to achieve this milestone, many having to deal with other issues at home and in the community.  These wonderful educators decided the graduating girls should not have to worry about money to buy a graduation dress. They knew that for some of their students, there simply was no money for dresses and those students would likely miss their graduation day.  Well, that was not going to be the case any longer in this community school.

The teachers began a dress-sharing program, not sure how it would be received by those they were asking for donations from or by the girls themselves.  The call was put out for gently-used dresses.   The response was nothing short of incredible.  Used dresses were donated by people throughout the city. Local dress shops donated new dresses. The used dresses were cleaned by local drycleaners at no cost.  The community came together and many people went out of their way to ensure that graduates would have a day to remember. 

The graduates can purchase the dresses for $25. The program now has many dresses for students to access. This wonderful arrangement allows students to become excited about graduating and helps them strive to work hard at school. They can look forward to their graduation without worrying about finances.

Last year, a fashion show was organized, with Wesmor students serving as models.  The show was a huge hit and so it was held again this year.

Last week, the soon-to-be graduates took part in a fashion show in which they showed off the beautiful dresses in the dress-sharing program. Two young men escorted the models and were given the suits they modeled for their graduation day.

The students glowed with pride as they modeled the dresses. Each model was beautiful and their pride and confidence was very evident.  What a wonderful program these dedicated and creative teachers have come up with! The graduates can truly enjoy their day and their beautiful dresses, knowing they can afford to have the perfect graduation day every young woman dreams of.

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It is amazing what people can do when they decide to help one another.  I love that this story happened right here in our city and that two people came up with an idea that is making life a little better for so many young people.  In order for this plan to become a reality, many people had to participate and be willing to give – but it started with only two people and a little idea they had.  It is easy to be overwhelmed by the things that are out of our control and the issues they cause, however this proves once again that we can find unique solutions to everyday problems by working together and sometimes, by leading the way in trying something new.  We don’t have to change the world, but we can make our part of the world better.

Well done, Wesmor Community High School.  Seeing a need and making a plan . . . it's a good thing!