Go to the Water

I have been gone from my home community for 20 years, so when I return, I am always reminded of what a strong and supportive community it is. Everyone greets me like I never left, and it makes me feel so warm and fuzzy.  I recently visited my old community, to attend a funeral.  The church in that community was built in 1967 and remains in great shape. You know you are in a church when you sit on strong wooden pews, there is a choir loft, sturdy pulpit and of course the big cross right at the front. It was a beautiful church when it was built and remains so. The only real change is that the regal bright red carpet has been replaced.  As I drove up to the church, I saw the old firetruck and the new firetruck gleaming. They were ready to take the longtime volunteer Fire Chief to his final resting place at the cemetery. Off to the side were the volunteer fire fighters, they were all dressed in matching black shirts embossed with the fire fighter insignia. Once I was seated i...

Ben Affleck is a well-known actor. He and his son were shopping and his son picked out a very expensive pair of runners. Ben, like many parents is teaching his son responsibility. Ben's reply to his son was, "I'm rich you're not". Apparently, the runners were worth $6,000 and they are still in the store. Unlike any appliance, a child doesn't come with a manual. I am sure if parents' question anything they rely on a google search. I just did a quick search and there is an incredible amount of information on how to teach a child responsibility. Basically, it said: model behavior, provide clear expectations, allow consequences and guide their behavior. Ben was clear on his expectations, until his son had $6000 and was rich, he was not getting the runners.   I have to say, it seems children have a lot of possessions. I am not sure how they acquire their things; I am assuming they were gifts. Most children not only have their parents that give them gifts, but t...

Well, it is happening, summer is moving on and it is becoming fall even though it is supposed to be summer. How I know this is, because people are starting to say, "there is a chill in the air". A chill in the air is described as an unpleasant feeling of coldness in the atmosphere, one's surrounding or the body.  Interesting enough when someone says, "there is a chill in the air", it is a universal understanding. No one needs an explanation like I just gave you.  I thought I would do some reflecting on how the summer weather has been. Since  "the chill" is the first sign that summer is coming to an end. It is usually accompanied by getting dark earlier and light later in the day. Then there are the trees that start to turn color. My friend who knows these things, says that a tree has a time that they have leaves. The turning of color and dropping of leaves is predicted by the time they have had their leaves, not by the approaching season. I, of course ...

Have you ever been somewhere when you think and feel, "I've been here before". You know that you haven't, but so much about that moment is familiar. It feels comfortable for you, your memories are very vivid. It is known as a Deja vu. Deja vu is described as  the feeling that one has already experienced a present situation, despite knowing it's new. It is a common phenomenon, often described as a fleeting, false memory and is generally considered harmless.  I have followed Amazing Race since the beginning of time. Right now, I am watching Amazing Race Canda. One of the shows had the contestants arriving in the Northwest Territories. What a beautiful job they did of highlighting that territory. Watching that show reminded me how I have always felt like I have lived in the north, it seems familiar. I have had the opportunity to spend time in Fort Simpson and Norman Wells. I loved my time spent in the north; those communities are absolutely fascinating to me.   I am ...

I have come to realize that the older I get the more I need routine and reminders about the important things in life. So, when I saw this little phrase I thought, I need to think about this. What are my places of healing and inspiration? I am easily inspired, but I have come to realize I don't embrace a place of healing in the same way. I asked myself, where do people go and what do they do when they need to heal and be inspired.  1.  The place that heals you. A place of healing is somewhere that promotes physical, emotional or spiritual well-being. Places such as natural healing sites or retreats designed for healing. Saskatchewan has one of the most unique healing lakes in the western hemisphere. Lake Manitou has a mineral density three-times saltier than the ocean. No one can drown in the lake because you can't sink. It is believed to have healing powers for many ailments. Arthritis and skin conditions are some of the most popular.    I visited Manitou Lake many y...

It has been overcast and stormy for the last few days in my area. I was driving and some very dark clouds caught my attention. Then I noticed a rainbow on the edge of the clouds. It wasn't a complete rainbow just half. I don't know that I have ever seen a rainbow so vivid, all 7 colors were clearly visible. As I drove on, I noticed a much more subdued second rainbow. I was trying to recall if I have ever seen a double rainbow before. It was so captivating, and I was sorry I was driving and unable to embrace more of the message mother nature was sending me. I knew double rainbows held a special meaning.  A quick google search led me to many meanings.  The one that was most meaningful to me was a double rainbow symbolizes hope. The play on light and colors occurs after an intense storm, signaling that all will be alright. It's like a beacon in your sea of darkness, and you should always take a moment to appreciate them.  Hope can keep you going in your darkest hour and cont...

The Waves of Hope had the honor of being part of the Canadian High School Rodeo. The directors asked for our help and in return they would promote our team and Breast Cancer Awareness. They kept their promise, as did we.  Our jobs were to take admission, sell 50/50 and raffle tickets. Three team members even had the opportunity to set barrels. It was an absolute blast  from start to finish.  It has been some time since the Rodeo has had a "Pink Day" in Brandon. But did they bring it back in style. The directors wore the most amazing pink western shirts I have ever seen. I hope they get lots of use out of them, because they wore them well. The cowgirls loved the color of the day, as did the cowboys. Even some of the horses had a splash of pink. My personal favorite was the pink glitter on the back of a horse. It was a sea of pink everywhere that you looked.  I always say that our jerseys are so bright you can see them from space. Everyone knew we were there. We had pi...

A few years ago, I remember watching a young woman sing on "America's Got Talent". She was thin and frail and was clearly dealing with a health crisis. Her performance name was "Nightbirde", and she sang an original song, "It's Okay". Simon loved her voice and was moved by her story. She got the golden buzzer from him which meant she skipped some of the performance process. She was too unwell to perform at the Finale, which she would have easily won. She passed away shortly after that. This season, I watched a show where they revisited some of the golden buzzers of the show. They showed Nightbirde's audition and when she was introducing herself, the judges commented on how happy she was as she was going through her health struggles. She replied, "just because life is hard, it doesn't mean you can't be happy".  What a powerful message. It took me back to when I worked on Palliative Care. I have always said, I learned so much ab...