​I'm a book lover...I've always been a book lover.  For that gift in life, I'm eternally grateful.  Books have always been a way to at times escape the world, at other times to delve deeper into it.  I'm a believer that any time spent reading is never wasted time. 


My problem is that my passion with books oft times turns into an obsession, where book after book sits and collects dust on a shelf or in a closet.  Then, historically, a big purge ensues, where the local thrift store, or one of a number of recipients ends up with my beloved collection.  Then the collecting begins again. 

I occasionally resort to e-books, and have a large selection of them on my devices as well.  But I don't know.  There's just something about holding a book in your hands.  Smelling and feeling the pages.  Turning down the corners to go back to.  I think it's a lot to do with my old school upbringing, and my old school self.

In an effort to try and reduce the vast numbers of books that surround me, over the past couple of years I've taken to gifting them instead.  Reading them through, taking a photo of a phrase or paragraph that speaks to...or haunts me.  Then putting out little verbal, conversational feelers to determine who might next love, learn from and enjoy the book as much as I have. 

My most recent read has been Tanya Talaga's "Seven Fallen Feathers".  I picked it up at a little bookstore called Queen Books, on Queen Street when I was in Toronto in March to participate in our charity's (Artists Against Racism) most recent campaign launch.  It was the perfect accompaniment for the campaign we were launching, which was a cross Canada billboard campaign featuring some of our our country's greatest Indigenous artists.  The hope?  That people across the country might see these fabulous works of art, take a step back and consider what the piece is trying to say to us.  So many of the artworks tell deep, visceral stories of the spirituality, heartbreak, history and challenges of our country's First People.  Each story told through the beauty of art.

"Seven Fallen Feathers" ran much deeper into the history and often agony of our Indigenous people.  Tanya did a wonderful job of weaving the the loss of seven high school students in Thunder Bay, Ontario into the history that has led to those deaths.  In a country where so many of us have been blessed with so very much, to better understand how it is that students across our province (Ontario) have to travel so far from their homes to gain the academic requirements to move forward in the world.  She reminds of of much of our country's bloody past, including deepening understanding on The Indian Act, the Residential School system, the racism that still stains our country so deeply.  

​I try to imagine what it must be like for all the parents who are faced with sending their young, impressionable teenage children miles and hours away from secluded northern communities, into what they know will be a dangerous world of so many first time opportunities, good and bad.  The fact that between 2000 and 2011, seven of those youth turned up dead, with no closure as to why, how or who might be responsible is heart-wrenching.  Those deaths continue, if you pay attention to today's news.  And yet, it seems little has been done to improve the situation.  Why is that, in what so many claim to be the greatest country in the world?

I think that "Seven Fallen Feathers" is another one of those books that everyone should make the time to read. If knowledge is power, then the more we educate ourselves on how we've come to where we are in Canada, the more power we can gather as a community that steps forward to demand change.  But will we?  Or will be continue to turn a blind eye?

For now, I can only hope that each reading opens someones eyes just a little wider, and that the world will slowly inch forward into something that we can become more proud of being a part of, as this powerful read makes it's way to the next person that I hope will find a glimmer of enlightenment from it's pages.

On September 24th I volunteered to help out Reconciliation Canada with the Walk for Reconciliation that was taking place in Vancouver.  The work and goals of the Truth and Reconciliation commission has become very important to me, and although none of us can do everything, all of us can do something.  Volunteering that day seemed like something that I could do. 
 
I headed out from home early, as I had to catch the 7am ferry to be able to get there on time.  I felt courageous and brave as I headed into downtown Vancouver by myself for the first time. I also felt tired.  I'd had a couple of heavy weeks with hosting company, preparing for another trip back to Manitoba for Orange Shirt Day, and helping my presenting partner and adopted son Trem with some of the grief that continues to have a hold on him in the years since my son's passing.  I was tired, but I was also very excited.

​I arrived at the grounds of the event about an hour before the walkers were to arrive at the site. I'd been assigned to support the survivors and elders in the tent set up for them.  Our role was to ensure they were offered something to eat and drink, be a listening ear if it was needed, and to support them in whatever way would be most meaningful to them.
 
Having a bit of time before hand, I had the chance to see the beautiful collection of rocks that had been painted by school children from across the country as gifts to be given to survivors. They were decorated with words, pictures and colours of hope.  They were beautiful.

​I also got to explore some of the tents that were set up providing information, food, artwork, among other things.  However, it wasn't long before the people started making their way to the tent I was stationed at, and the work of the day began.
 
Watching the hundreds, in fact thousands of people that streamed in to the grounds as the walk concluded left me with a lump in my heart.  All these people who had experienced what we are only now learning about, and have carried the pain of that experience for decades.  It was so hard to come to terms with the reality of our country’s historical treatment of our First People. There is so much work still to be done, but at least the work is beginning

Throughout the day I had the great honor of serving and listening to the stories of many of those people while the festivities, honoring and presentations of voice and music resounded all about us.  There was wisdom in the speakers and performers, and passion in the audience.  Passion to recognize, celebrate and find understanding.  It was a powerful event for everyone that attended. 

Throughout the day, in one corner of the tent, a couple offered cedar brushing to anyone who asked for it.  I watched, not really understanding the ceremony, but interested in learning, and at the end of the day, when most of the elders had left, I had my chance. I knew I was experiencing something incredible when he told me that the grief I was carrying was what was causing my throat to be so sore. I hadn't said anything about it, nor was it affecting my communication.  It was just a deep ache that I'd experienced for a couple of days by that time.  I realized this stranger who was offering  his healing medicine had read through my words into my tired spirit.  He offered comfort and support as he swept away some of the burden I'd not truly realized I was carrying.  He kindly explained the process and the beliefs it represented.  In giving of myself that day I received such a gift in return. 

He also reminded me that the teachers that I've been gifted to have in my life throughout the years were with me still, whether they were in the spirit world or this one.  It was such a powerful experience for me, and the most wonderful ending to the day.  

Driving home that night I was incredibly happy that I'd made the effort and been offered the opportunity to participate in something so amazing.  I am not naive.  I know reconciliation is going to take years of work and a lifetime of effort on the part of all people involved.  None of us can to everything to fix what is so broken in Canada today, but I was reminded that each of us can do something, if we so choose.  I thought of the many stories that had been shared with me.  People giving away small pieces of who they are and what they'd experienced so that the rest of us could learn and grow from that. I thought of the resilience of the people I'd been with, and appreciated how incredibly strong their spirits must be.  I know that in their having shared those small pieces of who they are, they made me a better person. I know in the offering, I was the one who was gifted.  I hope each of you get the opportunity to experience that as this work continues in the many forms we will see it take in the years ahead. 
​With love,  

A couple of years ago, while I still lived in Manitoba and was still the Senior Coordinator for Innovative Life Options (LIFE Inc), I was involved in what we lovingly called the ‘Kitchen Table
Talks’. The project was created to bring families who had a child living with a disability and who were not yet being provided services in the adult world together for open, engaging conversation.  Our hope was that we could garner some wisdom from these families as to how things were working, what they were most proud of, what would be most helpful and what ideas they had for their son or daughter’s future.

​We learned, more deeply, what we already knew.  Families are amazing!  They are strong, resilient, innovative and are hungry for information that will make their child’s life as full, inclusive and meaningful as each of our own lives strive to be.  By keeping our conversations on the 'Appreciative Inquiry' stream, whereby we focused on what had gone well that we could build upon, rather than things that were not, we were able to garner a glimpse of the amazing things that families have done to provide the best they can for the children they so dearly love, whether their child is a youth, or an adult.

We realized much of what the families most wanted to know more about were things that could best be answered by other families who had walked this path.  To build upon the wonderful initiative started, it was decided the next step would be to gather some of those answers, and I had the great privilege of being chosen to move the project forward. 

​It was decided that the best way to do that would be to compile a book through interviewing families using the questions that had arisen in the Talks.  I sent out a call to the families I knew that were involved with ‘In the Company of Friends’, Manitoba’s self-directed, independent living model for adults with developmental disabilities.  Ten families came forward to share their stories, and ‘Family Matters’ was born. 

It was wonderful to spend the time in deep, connected conversation with the amazing people that participated.  Many of them had been as much a support to me when I was raising Shane as I ever was to them in my working role.  They shared, inspired, laughed and often cried, as they recounted the joys and the challenges of the lives we come to know on the unexpected roads of the world of disabilities.  It was humbling to be given that intimate glimpse into each of their lives, and to be given their trust and faith that their story would be shared with dignity and respect, so that those who might benefit from their wisdom would.

So now the project is completed.  ‘Family Matters’ has been published and shares these stories through the voices of the families that have lived the experience. These stories talk about inclusion, support networks, relationship development, the education system and of the many incredible steps that each family took to make sure that what their child needed to be a part of their community was put in place. 

The book, ‘Family Matters’ is now available on Amazon, in both hard copy and on Kindle.  At only 140 pages, it’s an easy, informative read where it can be picked up and explored one chapter/one unique story at a time. 

It was the hope of every parent that participated and myself that in sharing our journeys, another parent raising a child with different, special needs, might feel a little less alone as they journey through life.  Our hope was that something that we learned, some pearl of insight or achieved wisdom might take some of the bumps out of the road for another.

Parents are truly the greatest experts when it comes to what is needed and what is possible for their child. Parents also have to appreciate and then build upon the efforts and the work of the ones that came before, so that we can keep moving our world forward into one that is more inclusive, accepting and accessible for all persons, with and without disabilities.  Family matters provides some of the history and structure that was laid as foundation of the work for the building that needs to continue.  Maybe that work can be achieved a little more quickly and a little more easily, by sharing our lessons and learning, so that previously invented wheels might not have to be recreated.

Thanks to all that contributed.  Thanks also for taking the time to read this.  Please share this information as far and wide as you can, so that all parents who might benefit from the opportunity to access and read these stories, will know that they are there waiting for them!
​
Much love, 

Amazon Reviews:
5 out of 5 stars:  A MUST READ!!!!
ByAmazon Customer on August 20, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book is a very touching book with many stories. Everybody should read it! Teachers and families that have a challenged child in their family should definitely read it! Helps to give you support you need!

4 out of 5 stars:   Great work!
ByAmazon Customer on August 3, 2017
Format: Paperback
ICOF is a new concept for me, but I'm already a huge fan. Great work!

5.0 out of 5 stars Overcoming obstacles and ignorance to lead normal fulfilling lives is at the heart of this amazing read. Lynda is extraordinary writer who tells her ...
Bydixietomchukon September 11, 2017
Format: Paperback
An interesting and honest review of the lives of families living with a child with special needs. Overcoming obstacles and ignorance to lead normal fulfilling lives is at the heart of this amazing read . Lynda is extraordinary writer who tells her story and that of others in an open and honest way . There is help and resources available which is pointed out throughout the book. I love how the stories are told by answering 18 thought provoking questions.

So, as you know, this blog is all about living MY passions.  My work with life coaching and being a Passion Test facilitator allows me to help my clients figure out and work towards their goals and dreams.  I love doing that, there is nothing more rewarding, however, if I am going to be doing this work authentically, I need to walk the talk, and so here is where I share how I do that.
Don't get me wrong, I don't spend all of my time travelling, taking pictures and playing music.  However, I do make those things a priority that I work towards on a daily basis, because those are my passions.  It's been a lot of work to learn to say no to the things that matter least, so I can shout a resounding YES to those things that matter most to me.
In living this passionate life, I've always fancied myself to be a pretty good photographer.  I've had a camera in my hand since the age of 6 or 7 when my Dad gave me his old square box one from the 40s.  When at 19 my parents offered to by me a car, because they'd neglected to earlier, and had done so for both of my siblings, I chose instead that they buy me the Canon AE1 35mm Program camera instead, as it was the newest, hottest thing on the market at that time.  And my passion continued to grow.
As time has gone on, I've come into the digital world and have gone through a number of good cameras, continuing to move up the ladder and love the snapping!  Especially now that I'm not throwing money into the fire by having to pay for the hundreds of pictures that weren't really all that great once they were developed.

Over the years, I've continue to enjoy the hobby with no real training.  Now that I'm living my passions more intentionally, I decided that it might be good to see if some of this passion could be translated into an income that would allow me to enjoy more time with it, and so it was that I recently signed up with Dreamstime.  A new adventure has begun!
What I can tell you is that I have much, much to learn!  That has been a really good lesson for me at this stage in my life.  One things you've figured most of it out, but I've learned that in the world of stock photography I really don't know a darn thing.  But that's okay!  I am a life long learner, and this is one more lesson that has come my way.  I'm loving it!
These photos , sadly didn't make the cut.  But, the good news is that from what I'm beginning to learn from my mistakes is paying off in that now my photos are beginning to.  This, like everything worth doing, is going to be a much slower, harder journey than I first thought it would be.  But I know it's going to be well worth it in the end.
Now, do I mean well worth it in terms of money earned as a stock photographer?  Not likely, but who knows about that.  Time will only tell.  But well worth it in that I'm giving myself permission and a push to pursue something I love, love, love doing.  I'm looking at my photography through a different lens now you might say.  Realizing that there is much more I can be doing to turn my passion into a craft.  Taking time to read all the tips and suggestions and yes...getting better at it.  Sometimes success lies in just knowing you're improving at whatever it is that you're passionate about. For now, I'm good with that....so off I go to snap away! 

Note to my readers:  I need you to know that if you do decide to click on any of the advertisements on my site, I may receive compensation as an affiliate of these businesses that I support...but I hope you know that in doing so you are supporting my Freedom 55 plan and my dream of living my life in sandals!  Merci!