Week Four
Joy & Contentment
My Granddaughter
There is nothing I love more than spending time with my 10 year old granddaughter. We play, we fight, but the best part of our relationship is me learning to be a better grandmother, a better friend.
I think as a grandmother, it's my duty to impart wisdom. And when my very curious granddaughter asks questions, I do my best to find the answers and explain carefully. But we routinely fight about silly things, like personal hygiene and grooming. I think it's important and respectful to at the very least be well groomed when we go to parties, but my little darling has her own views on these matters. We've done a lot of fighting about this over the years. This year, I decided to take a different tack. So, I got her to explain. It turns out that she agrees that being clean and dressing appropriately is important, but she doesn't want her hair to be smooth and shiny. "That's not who I am," she said. And a light went on for me. It's not who I am either, or certainly wasn't when I was her age. My mum let me be the way I wanted to be. I don't know why I thought I had treat her differently. It was lovely to have that conversation.
Watching her grow and learn makes me very happy. Being able to keep a good relationship growing isn't easy as we live far apart. But I treasure every moment we're together, and, so far, she seems to too.
Attitude
This is my fridge.
I call this picture "attitude" because it is not what it seems. People do not define me, I define myself. This is very important to me. I play an enormous important role in my happiness, joy and contentment. They don't; they are a part of it. All of my grandchildren, sons, and daughters-in-law are all here.
There is one part that one probably wouldn't notice and that is soccer. I love soccer! I am a Whitecaps fan and I love all of the grandchildren's teams.
My attitude towards each one of my family is quite peculiar, I respect them very much and I support them very much, but my support does not have a price. I support what they decide and that is why that is "attitude."
How I manage relationships is one of my better achievements. I placed these photographs up onto the fridge in order to take this picture! It is very Canadian.
Sister
This is my sister. I took a picture of her because she is the primary reason why I am in Nanaimo. I missed her so much I followed her. The photograph on the right is from when we were little, and the photograph on the left is partway through our journey, probably ten years ago.
I am home now. Home is where the heart is and I always attribute it to people first, not a place. She is kind of my beacon. There is no judgement, only total support.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers, my son and his sweetheart!
And it brings me joy.
Two of My Best Friends
These are two of my best friends. These are my two youngest kids.
A car accident brought my son from Campbell River and my daughter from Vancouver to "rescue" me. We were at the end of a very comforting day together, with a solution in mind. You can see it in their faces, "We have got things taken care of, Mom."
They look so happy, and I am delighted that she has got her arm around him. It is nice to see them grown up — it is the fulfillment of a Mother's hopes and achievements.
Joy, Happiness, and Contentment
My husband and my dog are my constant companions. My husband has been my loving partner for 47 years. CoCo has been a joyous member of our family since May of 2010. Every day is filled with laughter and adventures. Without their companionship I would be so much less than I am; I cherish each day for the memories created.
I am fulfilled, and continue to challenge myself; but I am aware of the tenuousness of the moment... life can change in the blink of an eye.
Table Set For Rosh Hashanah
We are with friends in Ottawa now and were lucky to be able to share Rosh Hashanah with them, which we did regularly when we lived in Ottawa. Unfortunately, I couldn't get any photos of the family to use.
I'm hoping that this table can represent the caring effort our friends take to show their love and support of their large family and we friends who are honoured to be included in these celebrations. Like us, they are not religious, but we all enjoy the traditional times to gather and mark the changing seasons and remember our roots together.
Nanaimo — a Sense of Home
Nanaimo has welcomed me with open arms. I am home. The more I give, the more I get in return. A very happy and comforting cycle.
Valued
I chose written tributes to depict how I feel valued by family, friends, and the wider community — they are the most tangible examples.
There are so many other ways that my friends and family and wider communities show their appreciation. Communicating their concern when I am ill; bringing me samples of their baking or garden produce. Sending me a note when they find something they are sure I would like to see or purchase.
I feel valued every day by the people who make up my communities!
Love of the Old
My son collects and cherishes old tools of all kinds.
I wanted a symbol that showed how eclectic and diverse his interests are. The ball was used as a float that log booms were tied to. It weighs about a thousand pounds, was abandoned by the logging company, and sat in the bush for many years before my son had the means to transport it home.
He considers it great yard art.
I admire my son and delight in his many collections.
Confidence
The sign was carved by an elderly, long-time friend of Yendor's parents.
Since I did not take Yendor's last name when we married, Yendor refused to hang the sign. I wrote the carver, explained the circumstances, and asked him to carve us another piece that said "Yendor & Gloria."
This sign is a symbol of my personal growth and the confidence it took for me to write that letter.
Comfort and Creation
There are two things in this photo that bring great joy: the piano and the couch.
Napping is one of my all-time favourite things to do; to be comfortable enough in a spot to fall asleep, comfortably, is a great joy. If you are comfortable enough to be able to nod off, where you are, it is one of the greatest joys I can think of.
Music is my other great joy. There is a piano there; guitar; two electric guitars sitting in the corner. There is a trumpet on the wall and a ukulele.
What I love is both of these are a "now thing." You don't plan them really, they are in-the-moment.
This photo says this has been a damn good life. It took a half a lifetime to get here. We have all strived, but it has been a good one.
Comfort and creation.
My Life
This picture reflects my whole life.
I have never not had a studio. I had the first set of oil paints for my eleventh birthday and I have created art ever since. I have paintings around the world. The graphic arts got me to where I am, and it was a good life.
I just love to create. There is nothing I desire more than to make something, to build something, to create something.
This has always been my family's values; education, artwork and the higher echelon of learning. They gave me oil paints and encouragement when I was eleven.
Textures
I love seeing texture visually. It is not always about the feel of it.
My hand in this photo is merely a prop. It feels no texture. It cannot grasp the tiny melon.
When I look at the picture it is a very old hand. It used to bother me as my hand was changing or my skin was changing, but when I look at that picture, I'm kind of proud of that hand now.
It was brilliant once.
Changing Seasons
I was trying to think about the things that are joyful, tiny moments — the weather, and colours, and the changing seasons.
I really love the colour of the dried corn against the blue sky. Colour brings a lot of pleasure in my life — with people or without people.
Nature’s Beauty
I went for a walk by the waterfront, and because I don't have a garden or flowers, the variety really impressed me.
Honouring
Happy 90th birthday Jean Vanier!
You have been my mentor, my inspiration for being a better person.
The world is a better place because of you.