I have learned through the years that one of the most effective ways of dealing with a difficult situation is to be busy or distracted. Too much time to “think” can be very dangerous. The greatest gift we can give to ourselves is a project or activity that keeps us busy and is extremely pleasurable at the same time. Several months ago, a box of young kittens was left on the side of the road near my summer day camp, Adventure Valley. Since there are no coincidences in life, I …
My scrapbook was precious to me during those difficult years as a young teen. I loved getting lost in my world of magazine messages, poems or quotes that seemed meaningful and true. They were about love, friendship, gratitude, happiness, peace, karma, serendipity. Authors unknown, but words that resonated with me. Repairing Rainbows has opened doors for many who now send me messages that are meaningful, comforting and beautiful. Authors unknown, but words that resonate with me. And so, here I begin to share these messages and opinions in the form …
For the first time since my mother’s and sisters’ deaths, I am sharing my personal journey from calamity to triumph, with the publication of Repairing Rainbows: A True Life Story of Family, Tragedy and Choices. Repairing Rainbows reveals my positive and determined view of life. It is not a depressing book about tragedy and loss. It is moving and heartbreaking, yet uplifting and hopeful at the same time. It is a story about love, strength and appreciation. It is a story about courage and hope. It is a story about choices. We always …
Air Canada Flight 621 crashed on July 5, 1970 killing all 109 people on board. The cause: Pilot error Though the Air Canada crash that shaped my life and that of so many others took place exactly forty years ago, the pain is still raw. My voice continues to tremble when I talk about losing my mother and two little sisters in this tragic Air Canada plane crash. Faced with a tragedy of this magnitude at the tender age of 13, teetering between childhood and adolescence, it’s nothing short of a miracle that …
Whether someone is just doing their job, volunteering or exceeding expectations, gratitude goes such a long way. Genuine, intangible, heartfelt gratitude and appreciation. It is the most powerful form of recognition that anyone can provide. And it’s incredibly wonderful to be on the receiving end. The positive energy, aka positive vibes, are so strong it is sometimes possible to see the physical effects. It ignites others. And most of all, it feels great for everyone involved. This morning I had the privilege of spending time with a very good friend, …
In the classic superhero story, someone noted for their distinguished courage and strength is dedicated to protecting people. Known and admired for having extraordinary powers and for doing brave deeds, the courageous superhero is noble and invincible. I’ve met my share of superheroes. But my superheroes were not invincible, nor were they the world’s strongest and most powerful people. In fact, they couldn’t even fly. Instead, they came to my rescue with sincerity and compassion. Authentic and genuine (heart and soul) help. Faced with a terrible tragedy at 13 …
Up until a few weeks ago, I had never given any thought to the concept of a scatter zone. When you drop a glass, you clean up the broken pieces. You notice many different sizes and shapes of broken glass. The big pieces are carefully picked up and you usually need a broom or vacuum for the small pieces. Now, when I think about that broken glass, I realize there’s a ‘scatter zone’ because it’s not unusual to find a piece of glass a few days later, quite far from …
It’s been almost forty years since the plane crash. After all these years, one would think that it is no longer difficult for me to write or talk about it. In fact, most people assume that the experience of writing my book about that deeply painful time of my life must have been therapeutic. Cathartic. When I think back to those initial few months after the tragedy, one thing I remember hearing over and over was that time heals. Almost forty years later, I have to say that time does …
Law of Attraction, simply stated, is that we attract into our life what we think about. Thoughts become things. There are no coincidences. Things don’t happen because of chance, luck or accident. Almost forty years ago, the life I’d known for 13 years was extinguished when my mother and two younger sisters were killed in an Air Canada plane crash. Back then, when a tragedy struck, particularly of this magnitude, the most common thing said was that time would heal. There were no grief counsellors or trauma specialists jumping in …