Skip to main content

2016 is about CONNECTION


For many years, my family and I have served charities and community assistance – behind the scenes.  That is how we like it.  Not only because we believe true giving receives no recognition or reward, but because OUR karma requires us to be humble while serving those who might have a greater need than us. 

We aren’t rich.  We aren’t excessive with loads of food or belongings going to waste if we don’t share.

Like my 8-year old says; “we share because we care”.

This fall a cause called #THECLOTHINGDRIVE consumed us.  Its purpose to help provide a starting wardrobe for the GTA’s share of 25,000 Syrian refugees coming to Canada this winter.  We came out from behind the scenes because it was necessary to gather much needed support.  My motivation to throw my skills, time and presence to this cause was a deep belief it was about MUCH more than clothes.  It was just the first step of many, needed to help newcomers integrate in Canada. 

At this particular time – those who need a warm welcome most are these Syrian refugees.  People who HAD to leave their homes, many hurt physically and emotionally.  ALL having left SO much behind.  I can’t for a moment imagine accurately their sense of loss – but I can do everything in my power to help them feel comfortable in the Canada I love and appreciate.  I can ALSO remember that they aren’t the only ones.

There are many other displaced people around the world.  There are large numbers of people living in Canada already who feel left out, unwelcome, forgotten.  

My mission for 2016 is to connect.  

Connect with people we can offer something positive to, and connect them with each other.  

#togetherWEareSTONGER

In collaboration with two wonderful humans I worked with as part of the leadership of #THECLOTHINGDRIVE,  this last week we launched #LivesReWritten. - a Facebook page with the honor of helping refugees from all over the world tell #theirstories.  These real people give us an opportunity to learn from their experiences.  When we open our hearts and minds to #theirstories, knowledge removes any remaining fear or bigotry, and replaces them with empathy and connection.



Yes – this next year has so much promise.  2016 is all about CONNECTION.


Visit #LiveRewrittten, ‘Like’, ‘Share’ and come along with us …… 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It Only Takes One

My son's daycare had five amazing, 8-foot sunflowers growing in their garden this summer.  My own sunflowers didn't do very well so we asked if we could have some of the seeds from daycare to plant in our garden next summer.  Shawna began to harvest the seeds from the faces of the sunflowers.  She took some home with her and a creature destroyed most of them - only a few remaining in their shells.  She returned to daycare to learn that the heads of the remaining sunflowers had been stolen right off their stalks in the yard of the daycare.  The ladies were upset and disappointed that they might not be able to carry on the tradition of their sunflowers. Cornell Sunflower - see the attempt at taping the stem ... When my husband got home from work today he told me their story and asked,"hey - do you have any more of those books with the 'Cornell Sunflower' story?"  A story I wrote was published by 'Chicken Soup' and the similarities to th...
1 comment
Read more

A Mother's Circle of Life Love Song

What does a writer do with strong feelings .....write.  A tribute to my Mum. A Mother’s Circle of Life Love Song  ~ Sheri Gammon Dewling ~ Good night sweet girl, Mum said as she tucked me in each night. May my loving arms enfold you and protect you from the fright. I know you like to be awake and join in all the fun. Now it’s time for you to sleep. Tomorrow will soon come. Bless your heart, Mum told me as I learned, fell down and grew. May you face each day with kindness and continue to be true. I know the right decision isn’t always plain to know. Now it’s time for you to lead.   I’m proud to watch you grow. Good night sweet girl, I told her, as I watched her body fail. May the love of family guide you as your spirit starts to sail. I know you cherished life on earth, where your joy has always played. Now it’s time for you to sleep – no need to be afraid. Bless your heart, I said to her, as she took her last, slow breaths. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Picture in a Wallet

When I was 12 a strange man tried to take me .   I’ll never know why he failed, what caused me to run and hide but it probably saved my life.    I was two blocks from home on my way to school one day when a large navy blue sedan pulled up beside me on the right side of the avenue.   The passenger window was down and he spoke to me from the driver’s seat. “Where is James Street?” he asked.   “I’m sorry, I don’t know.” I replied and began to walk away.   His voice stopped me, “You MUST!” he demanded.   “I really don’t know.” I meekly asserted and glanced down at him before I walked on.   I was too innocent to know what his hand was doing in his lap, but something must have triggered inside of me to make the fear build. I began to walk away, turned the first corner and quickened my pace.   I kept looking around for another child or adult I knew but there was no one on the street. After a block I thought I was in the clear when I saw his c...
1 comment
Read more