I am humbled to be a member of this group of amazing artists!
I have been a seamstress, specializing in designing and creating children's clothing that my children modelled (really!). Then came 30 years of teaching all grades in elementary school. I reflect on the art classes as a special time to change the pace and get creative. In retirement, I moved into dabbling in basic photography while enjoying the natural surroundings and capturing images for advertising our Colchester B & B to clientele. Although we no longer run the B&B, I still enjoy capturing peaceful scenes for my own well being.
More recently, my husband, Dennis, has gone into long term care after years of diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease. Unfortunately, it became apparent that dementia was decreasing his ability to communicate effectively. During this time, I discovered that his memories of growing up along the shores of River Canard were very vivid. Together we spent hours laughing over his antics and the life he engaged in as a boy. I crafted his stories into a collection of short stories that can be read aloud. It became apparent that others were enjoying them too. Some visitors selected stories to read to other residents and came back with their own stories that increased our giggles. Care partners connected with Dennis in new ways. Many just enjoyed remembering simpler times.
A local artist, Gaye McGee, has teamed up with us to illustrate several of the stories. Our first book, “Tales from the Creek: Winter Skates” was released in December, 2023. A second book is in the works.
My hope is to help others create memory stories that honour our loved ones, promote family legacy and provide a forum for vibrant memory care.
