HAMMOND POOL VANDALIZED

Yesterday my Aquafit cohorts and I were suddenly hit with some very sad news: our season in the outdoor pool had come to a sudden end.

Those of you who know me well know that I am a structured, sequential person —meaning that engraved in my mind each and every day, is a plan laid out carefully, logically and constructively. I wake up feeling pumped and ready to go.

From a lifetime of experience of certain types of plans going south, I always have a Plan B which instantly becomes a new Plan A. The old Plan A is forgotten and I move on. This, however, was a different scenario.

News flashed on my personal message page saying the Outdoor Pool had been   VANDALISED the night before rendering it unusable for the rest of the season. Unknown people had broken the basic rules of honourable, respectful and descent behaviour, jumped the fence, enjoyed the water and then decided it was okay to break glass — possibly beverage bottle glass or window glass, and throw the pieces into the water, along with some other unpleasant waste! 

Staff arrived in the morning to see the sadness and did their best to clean it up; but, the glass pieces were big and small, and difficult to sweep out. Smaller pieces had gotten into the piping and mechanics of the pool. It would be a monstrous job to empty the pool, clear out the glass, open up the engine and all the related pieces, refill and reheat the pool, just for two more weeks of service. 

I got that feeling in my head that I get when a person I know has suddenly died. My mind was completely caught off guard. Something I had never expected, had suddenly happened and I had no Plan B! 

I spent the day grieving, feeling sorry for the loss of a trice weekly outdoor Aquafit class for myself and my cohorts, but also grieving for the pool — it has been around for decades, served the community so very well, and now it sits abandoned, abused and agitated; sad, still and silent; violated, victimized, vandalized. 

I knew the right thing to do would be to go to the pool, sit quietly on a picnic bench, recall the many fun times, the energetic instructors, the friendly lifeguards, the music, the warm, clean water, and the outdoors. I sat there quietly remembering enjoying watching the sky above, the cloud formations, the different types of small planes flying overhead, the birds occasionally perched on a tree, bench or fence pole watching us, and the occasional threat of raindrops. It was truly like a mini therapeutic paradise.

Hammond Pool is a hidden jewel within a growing metropolis. It has served the community so very well for decades. Generations of people have experienced it and remember it fondly. They grew up there and their children have spent hours of fun times there.  Its sudden seasonal termination has hit a lot of people hard — no more lessons or classes or public swim times there this 2024 season. 

But, as with all losses, as time passes, we will overcome the sudden sadness caused by senseless people and look forward to another round of outdoor aqua pleasure next year.

As for me and my sadness, shock and surprise — quiet time on the picnic bench and writing this story has reminded me that sometimes things in life hit you hard, and those times are tests — you either aim to pass them or you don’t!

Hail to the Medicine Wheel

 

Somewhere secret, somewhere smart

Someone special made a start

Someone special did her part

By drumming and singing from her heart.

People gathered around a dirt shaped wheel

Some were sitting, while others kneeled

Holding palms slightly above the ground

Focused intently without a sound.

While making offerings from the heart

To the center of this symbolic chart

The spirits were nestled all around

No distractions could be found.

‘Oh Great Spirit We are one

With the Earth, Moon and Sun

We gather around this Medicine Wheel

It has become our Special Seal.’

Songs were sung and stories told

No contribution was too bold

The experience shed some needed light

On the souls present that Aruban night.

A night of peace under a full moon

All the people remained in tune

Humming, singing and praying too

With mind, heart and spirit all on cue.

Antoinetta DeWit

August 2024

BEND AND FLEX

BEND AND FLEX

I have been trying to make some sense out of oddities that keep creeping up now and then.

For example, I went on a road trip the other day to a city called Chilliwack. There was a grand celebration of the unveiling of new murals in the town center. I came up with an interesting question for one of the key organizers: What’s the difference between a mural and a painting? Blank look. No reply. Then, “I’m not sure actually, good question.” The organizer walks away with no follow-up. He wasn’t interested, not even curious.

To get to the city of Chilliwack, located north of the TransCanada Highway, you actually exit the highway at a town called Sardis, not Chilliwack. The town and its boundaries have been intact for decades yet some people just cannot get their heads to readjust their thinking and get it right. When heading east, exit at Sardis to get to Chilliwack. It’s not complicated. Why don’t people want to get things right?

No one enjoys being wrong. A lot of people don’t like change. They are unpleasant emotional experiences. But, there is no strength nor glory in stubbornness. Both your words and behaviour embarrass the brighter people around you, and you yourself even look embarrassed and lost. Bend and flex. Nobody is perfect so allow your ego to take a hit now and then. Try saying something to yourself like “oh I am wrong. I am actually wrong!”

I can think of a personal example: recycling. The recycling revolution impacted me when I became a homeowner. When it first started, participation was voluntary. I was grateful because at the time there was no way I was going to separate waste. Everything would go into one bin without a second thought. Eventually the voluntary edict wasn’t working too well so policies changed in a way that my pocket book would be impacted. I reluctantly changed my mind and played the game. Eventually I woke up one morning and felt excited about taking out the trash in many separate bins: red, yellow, gray, green and blue. 

I’d stand and watch the pick-up crew empty each in separate sections of the truck and off they’d go to the neighbours and do the same. I still smile not only at the crew, but at myself for slipping away from being dogmatic about something I knew little about, to setting the dogma aside to embrace something new and important to me, and the world around me. Of course there will always be naysayers and skeptics, but that’s a whole other story. 

Another personal example would be stepping aside from mainstream dogma when it comes to trying to figure out life and how the world started. Dogma does not make sense to a thinking person.  When questioning and debating some of the expectations of various traditional or quasi traditional evolutionary theories, I realized that blind acceptance of things that were perplexing to me, did not sit well with me. I am not a ‘that’s the way it’s always been’ person. 

I get that some people need to hold on to the preordained explanations and theories about a lot of mysterious stuff, but nowadays a lot of people are stepping out of that mould. Some of those identify themselves as agnostic or atheist, others develop their own spirituality and understanding. It’s both daring and impressive. Bend and flex in action. Not blend and flex — bend and flex.

The moral of this story is: the world, like the Earth, is constantly evolving. Knowledge is expanding. We need to open the tightly closed box of preconceived notions, often blindly adopted,  and bring in some fresh air. Smarter decision making has become normalized for the greater good of all — don’t get left behind. 

When you stop walking forward, or walk sideways or backwards, what’s in front of you gets further and further away. You get left behind, left out. You do become the sad kid on the block. 

Not only that, the world and the Earth depend on constructive and responsible decision making for the greater good of all who live here, including the flora and fauna. That success depends on a diversity of people getting along, not necessarily agreeing on everything, but agreeing to walk side by side in real time with mutual respect and honour at the helm of decision making — yes, for the greater good of all.  

Bend and flex. Let’s not indoctrinate or assimilate or articulate dogma;  let’s walk forward together by opening the box in which we have placed ourselves or in which we have been placed, and let in the fresh air.

BOOK TALK

 

MEETING BOB — Part One

Every morning, okay most mornings, after making a proper mochachino, I sit on my sofa, turn on the IPad to see if it is my turn to play a scrabble word with my friend Sylvia in Montreal. Our time difference is three hours so I know she has been waiting the longest. It’s only fair.

So this particular morning I am also thinking about a guy named Bob. I have never met Bob but I have seen him around and I could spot him in a crowd or a line-up. In a few hours I will be meeting Bob. He has purchased a few of my books as gifts for people he meets in his work capacity as the Member of the Legislative Assembly. He represents my region of the province, and has invited me to “book-talk” and sign.

In the distant past such an official meeting would make me nervous or feel a tad anxious.  I used to think people with titles wore crowns making them superior or something. You would think that after working in a high ranking political office for nearly 30 years, all of those nerves and anxiety would be completely gone. Few people with titles wear crowns that fit. Most are just ordinary and many think they are more than ordinary, but really they are not. They are just ordinary folk with different dreams and different upbringings. 

My nerves are calm and my anxiety level is low because I am an ordinary gal, about to meet an ordinary guy named Bob for the first time. If I am feeling anything right now, the word would be curious. 

Speaking of words, I am looking at the scrabble board and my letter tiles. I see the word Reiki* and see a perfect spot for it.  My excitement level rises for another reason. It’s the perfect word to carry on my right shoulder as I walk into Bob’s office to do something completely new for the first time;  and, I am  feeling calm about whatever is about to be.

Thank you Sylvia — it is your turn and I will be back soon. 😃 

MEETING BOB — Part Two

It is now four hours later … I met Bob. He was smiling and very welcoming as we sat in the boardroom with a captive audience. He started off by saying his family runs a publishing company and he knows how hard it is to get a book published, promoted and distributed. His words were the perfect opening for my piece. The guests were all ears. The more I spoke and responded to questions, the more I felt my confidence level and personal pride molecules vibrate. I could feel my Reiki Master on my shoulder keeping me calm and level-headed, and my friends and family saying “you go girl”! 

At times like this, my mind still goes back to ‘little me’ sitting on the porch of our two story North Bend house, looking 👀 inquisitively off in the distance — wondering to where all those drivers on the TransCanada Highway were going, and why. And, I would wonder if one day I would no longer feel stuck in a small village, with no amenities or opportunities, and actually find out. 

Well, of course, I have followed that Highway,  gone far beyond it, and I have found out. I have found out a lot, in fact — quite a lot, and I am still finding out more and more almost every day. Road options are endless. Sure some are dead-ends, some are challenging and maybe even scary, but if you don’t try them out, you won’t ever know.

I am definitely loving this journey called life and living, and still sometimes feeling in a bit of a daze about it all. But, I know that even though I am having a great time, dancing on sunshine and feeling my life grow like a naturally fertilized garden, a horn of plenty,  I still don’t want to wear a crown. I just want to be an ordinary person, simple and grounded, keeping my head on straight, my heart happily beating, and my legs peddling casually forward. 

Thank you Bob, for saying all the right things, for welcoming me to your table, and for supporting my book project. It means  a lot.

 *[Note: Reiki is an ancient technique used for stress reduction and relaxation and has been shown to have several benefits for both physical and mental health.]

DRUMMING SINGING STORY TELLING

 

 

CONSOLING COMMUNITY 

I woke up to an autumn-like morning and laid as calmly and as peacefully as the clouds above and the mist below; together we laid out our plans for the day feeling relaxed, curious and ready.

Every day is special and every day is what we make of it, but this day included a new spice — an unknown.  Those of you who know me well, know that unknowns scare me, perplex me, freeze me; but, this unknown was different.

I used to be really good at avoiding unknowns whether it was new people, new foods, new ways of doing things or new places to go. But, since retiring seven years ago, my path, my pleasures, and my passions have changed and I often feel I am riding high on fresh air rather than the other stuff that some people use! I have retired the old ways and am embracing new ways, and this chapter is bringing me, my heart and soul, much joy and happiness.

So, on this day, August 13, 2024, I was on the traditional territory of the Katzie First Nation and the Kwantlen First Nation. I attended, by invitation, an indigenous community drumming, singing and storytelling gathering at the local Fraser River Indigenous Society garden in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada.

This was a sacred and ceremonial event that included the pleasure of the Facilitator and Knowledge Keeper named Saquilty — his English name is Jonathan.  Saquilty spoke passionately about his heritage and culture. He proudly acknowledged the presence of his two parents and other family in attendance. He spoke of his life challenges and those of his family, friends and neighbours. In between his stories, we all held drums or rattles, to join in the chorus of the songs he was singing.

The drum that was handed to me at first, to me, was just another drum from the box. As I confidently held it appropriately in my left hand, and held the ‘Trommelstok’ in my right, I looked down and heard a quiet inside voice direct me to one particular flower etched on to the deer skin drum surface.  

I sat down briefly to figure out if I was delusional or receiving a special message from above. It was both eerie and weird, and I was tempted to stand up, interrupt the presentation and share my exciting revelation. That element of innate shyness within me stopped me and I decided I would wait to just write about it later. 

For those of you wondering what I am talking about,  Tulip is my soulmate and buddy; hers is a pseudonym I use in my writing as a way to honour her and reward her. She helps me notice things, remember things, create things, ask questions, answer questions and problem solve. She is the human equivalent of best friend. I hold her in very high esteem, and there she is at that moment in time, implanted on the drum in front of me! Not only that but the drum is designed by BLUE SKY -- and near blue sky is where I like to be most of all! So, understandably that moment in that day, stunned me! But, I digress. I do want to add one more thing:

[At the time, I did catch myself looking up at my section of SkyWorld, the place where I house the spirits of significant people who have gone before me, and sent a quick wink to the one I know nudged me to notice the TULIP etched on the skin.  “Thank you Edith, you are still so very good at noticing things!”]

Following Saquilty’s introduction and explanation of what was to come, the traditional components of a gathering included an opening prayer in an indigenous language, a song to help cleanse or unload the body, heart and soul of their sadness, worries and concerns. This gave people an opportunity to open up and put forward personal needs for healing and request reconciliation to help them move forward, and appreciate the here and now. 

This was followed by more stories and more singing and drumming, giving people a chance to express gratitude for their honours and privileges, their work, health, homes, family and friends; and, realizing the importance of reminding ourselves to be mindful of people who are suffering or struggling with hurting hearts, bodies and souls. We heard some stories of sadness and grief, and we heard some people cry — at which point Saquilty said ‘when the earth cries, we should cry too. A good cry is very healing’. 

To bring it all together, we were all asked to take a small bundle of sage wrapped in red cloth, and hold it in our hands as we reflect on things that have been said and on things we needed to get out of ourselves. Indigenous beliefs attest that sage will hold on to all of that information and then when you bring your sage to a fire ceremony, the smoke carries the prayers, worries, thoughts and wishes, up to the SkyWorld, eliminating heavy hearts and souls. It is deemed to be an important part of the healing process and will give believers a renewed sense of hope, confidence and optimism for the future.

Events like this intrigue me and amaze me. I don’t feel they are meant to indoctrinate people nor minimize other thought processes. This occasion was enlightening and educational, and I applaud our Indigenous people for sharing their traditions, culture, pride, stories and beliefs with strong conviction and loving hearts. 

The closing song of respect, honour, gratitude and encouragement sent us all home feeling somewhat different from how we felt coming in. The event gave us all 'fresh air' to inhale and exhale, in a  comfortable and welcoming outdoor garden setting. 

I believe the non-indigenous in the group, including me, left feeling adequately equipped with enlightening, first hand knowledge that we can share with others whose lives could benefit from a good cleansing — to rid them of stale air, stereotyping and the impact of curriculum that is no longer used; and, for our proud Indigenous people, I believe their resilience and peaceful determination to bring us together at occasions like this,  helps set the pace for a much better future for all of us.

Huy ch q’u. (Pronounced hi-ush-ka) Thank you.

WALKING BACKWARDS

 WALKING BACKWARDS

Tulip went out for her daily stroll around the neighbourhood the other day; but, this time she did it differently. She walked backwards. Sometimes going back in time can help us move forward better.

The idea came to her as she had just finished reading the chapter entitled People of the Seventh Fire. The entire book, Braiding SweetGrass, is full of extended thinking about how the world (the Earth) got to this point. Extended thinking or walking backwards for that matter, isn’t something everyone does. It’s difficult or too time consuming so many just walk on or run to the next post — faster than water flowing from a broken dam. They don’t seem to give a dam!

Tulip has “given a dam” about a lot of anomalies throughout her lifetime. She questions a lot. She shuns the “that’s the way it is” attitudes and tries to find sense in senseless decision making. 

The book in front of her is the first time she is faced with a mirror in which she sees a reflection of her mind on paper. Reading the chapters, and there are many, brings flashbacks of the shake and bake commercials where the actor quickly shakes the drumstick so the viewer doesn’t really see what’s being coated. 

“Hold on! Rewind! What’s under the coating?”

Braiding Sweetgrass is a unique “look again” book that might cause the readers to start the car and speed away, or it might cause the readers to lift their head from the sand, clear the gloss from their eyes, and step backwards in time to discover stuff, important stuff that has been bypassed or left behind. 

The world is in a rut. Too many beats have been skipped or dismissed. There’s been too much tipping over and tripping over two feet. People need to stop barreling forward along the same damaging trajectory. 

Mountains are falling. Fires are burning. Rivers are overflowing their banks. Animals are becoming extinct. Food no longer tastes like food. Chemicals are making people sick or killing them. Nature is disappearing. Climate change. Greed and competition have been given the lead. Avarice needs to stop.

Tulip is in position to take the backward walk. She is looking straight ahead at what was, placing one step behind the other, watching what’s behind her come forward. It becomes very much like a balancing act because if she strides too quickly, she tips or trips. It bears repeating: if she strides too quickly, she tips or trips. If she stops now and then, she regains her posture, smells the Sweetgrass (roses) and keeps moving, slowly stepping backwards but moving forward with a wealth of information that she may have ignored or overlooked. 

The exercise of walking backwards is weird and shaky. It is physical and cognitive. It’s like rewinding a visual and audio recording, and getting a different message. It clearly defines the difference between listening and hearing, and shows people take too much for granted. As such they dismiss commonsense and words of wisdom from respected and credible sources. Now’s the time to take back some control. 

For Tulip, the walking exercise is an easy pill to swallow because she is seeing things differently and hearing things differently. She is concentrating on what is and what is about to be, and thinking harder than ever, as she continues to take control by carefully placing one step behind the other. She stops suddenly to take it all in and the expression  “better late than never” bellows. Too much has been left behind. Too many questions left unanswered. Too many constructive concerns ignored. It is time to break and breathe.

Taking it all in slowly keeps her upright and steady. Her mind and body feel different: gifted, refreshed and enlightened. This morning walk, as well as that chapter and book, have given her energy (Qi) to keep moving ahead with an open mind. 

“Better late than never!”

After a few blocks of looking back while moving forward, the chapter Tulip just read, combined with all the chapters in the book, bring her to a decision making fork in the road. If people keep spinning forward as always, and if they keep striding forward too quickly, they will continue to tip and trip. What’s ahead of them will be a lot scarier, a lot more sad and definitely a lot more perplexing — if anyone is left to find out. She concludes that it would be best to not continue to ignore WISDOM and commonsense because  that road has proven to be a losing battle.

The book, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Kimmerer, is a missalette of ultimate wisdom, practical experiences and long forgotten commonsense. The author is a decorated Indigenous scientist and professor. She wrote it for everyone and “for” everyone;  and, it is definitely a great read for every caring citizen of the Earth.