Well, all the big shows are now done! One more small show on Saturday, the 05th in High River at the Legion (from 10 - 3pm). This past weekend in Calgary reinforced again to me just how big of a city I live in. I hardly knew a soul! It was great though to catch up with those few I did know; Carolyn and Kelsey, Sandi, Sue, Fran and Len, and of course Jacqueline from The Barking Lot (Emma's groomer)! Amidst all those strangers though was the love and support of my sister Kathy and my brother Stuart. I could not have done these past seven weeks without them both. Stuart was a rock in helping me to set up and tear down each week and then making a special delivery on Friday of Tim Horton's coffee! Kathy, despite being so sick with a cough, flew in on Thursday night to work the show with me. She gave up yet another weekend to be my chief cheerleader and I cannot thank her enough! Love you both to the moon and back!
We had the enviable position of having our booth situated across from John Burrow - an artist from B.C. whose work moved me - especially his folk art. His one painting, called "Oh Christmas Star" seemed to be speaking to me across the aisle. It has three children in a snowy wintery scene with a dog by their feet. It is nighttime and the kids are all reaching up to the "Shining Star". A copy is now here at the house and will be wrapped up for me to open on Christmas morning from my dear Tiffany. Thank you sweetheart! So excited to have met John and his wife. He also offered to illustrate my next book which would be amazing (if there is another one - lol!).
What I will miss most about the shows are the moments of deep connection with strangers. It makes one have great faith in humankind. Christmas brings up so many emotions in people and quite often they have spilled over into tears as we chatted with people. Tender moments that bind you together are not easily forgotten. First there were the two teachers we chatted with on Friday night. Krista ended up buying one for her and her sister Kara to share. We talked about her work as a teacher in the Forest Lawn area of Calgary, literacy, sharing faith and then some of the projects EWI of Calgary has undertaken. Krista was so moved by our conversation she shed some tears and I truly hope I see her and her colleague at an upcoming EWI meeting! Lovely ladies making such a change in their student's lives. Then there was the gal who bought a copy for herself and shared with us that she had just broken up with her fiancé. She was "looking for some joy" in what is sure to be a sad holiday season for her.
The most difficult encounter thought was a woman who bought one and had me dedicate it to Melissa, Michael, Hannah and Simon. She only said to me, "This is perfect as she want's everything ready for them before she goes" and then she started to cry. I am not sure if the Mother of these children is sick or perhaps dying or maybe just travelling over Christmas, so I only can pray that whatever the circumstances are, that the children will find some comfort in my stories.
There were also great moments of joy to be witnessed - a woman telling her friend that she was expecting as they walked by us and of course the delighted reaction. A little girl in a fancy dress that twirled in front of us as her mother shopped and then little Jillian, who after I said she looked like a Sugar Princess told me proudly her Dad calls her "Cupcake!" The Father who bought a copy for his 7, 3 and 16 week old children who are home schooled. The Mother who had me sign the book from "Ginger" who is their Elf on a Shelf! Cherished memories, one and all!
Kathy and I laughed over it being "too people-ey" when one ventures out into the public at venues such as this and yet despite the ones that drove us nuts (the parents who slam earphones onto their kids plugged into a tablet while they are in their strollers and the boy who answered me with "ish" when I asked if he liked to read), the joyous moments with strangers were silver linings that will be remembered and cherished when I think back on this journey.
As we enter into the Christmas season, I hope that all your interactions - with strangers, friends or family, bring you many silver linings!
Have a wonderful week everyone! Don't forget to read "The First Advent" story today as we begin this countdown!
Shine on!
- Karen
We had the enviable position of having our booth situated across from John Burrow - an artist from B.C. whose work moved me - especially his folk art. His one painting, called "Oh Christmas Star" seemed to be speaking to me across the aisle. It has three children in a snowy wintery scene with a dog by their feet. It is nighttime and the kids are all reaching up to the "Shining Star". A copy is now here at the house and will be wrapped up for me to open on Christmas morning from my dear Tiffany. Thank you sweetheart! So excited to have met John and his wife. He also offered to illustrate my next book which would be amazing (if there is another one - lol!).
What I will miss most about the shows are the moments of deep connection with strangers. It makes one have great faith in humankind. Christmas brings up so many emotions in people and quite often they have spilled over into tears as we chatted with people. Tender moments that bind you together are not easily forgotten. First there were the two teachers we chatted with on Friday night. Krista ended up buying one for her and her sister Kara to share. We talked about her work as a teacher in the Forest Lawn area of Calgary, literacy, sharing faith and then some of the projects EWI of Calgary has undertaken. Krista was so moved by our conversation she shed some tears and I truly hope I see her and her colleague at an upcoming EWI meeting! Lovely ladies making such a change in their student's lives. Then there was the gal who bought a copy for herself and shared with us that she had just broken up with her fiancé. She was "looking for some joy" in what is sure to be a sad holiday season for her.
The most difficult encounter thought was a woman who bought one and had me dedicate it to Melissa, Michael, Hannah and Simon. She only said to me, "This is perfect as she want's everything ready for them before she goes" and then she started to cry. I am not sure if the Mother of these children is sick or perhaps dying or maybe just travelling over Christmas, so I only can pray that whatever the circumstances are, that the children will find some comfort in my stories.
There were also great moments of joy to be witnessed - a woman telling her friend that she was expecting as they walked by us and of course the delighted reaction. A little girl in a fancy dress that twirled in front of us as her mother shopped and then little Jillian, who after I said she looked like a Sugar Princess told me proudly her Dad calls her "Cupcake!" The Father who bought a copy for his 7, 3 and 16 week old children who are home schooled. The Mother who had me sign the book from "Ginger" who is their Elf on a Shelf! Cherished memories, one and all!
Kathy and I laughed over it being "too people-ey" when one ventures out into the public at venues such as this and yet despite the ones that drove us nuts (the parents who slam earphones onto their kids plugged into a tablet while they are in their strollers and the boy who answered me with "ish" when I asked if he liked to read), the joyous moments with strangers were silver linings that will be remembered and cherished when I think back on this journey.
As we enter into the Christmas season, I hope that all your interactions - with strangers, friends or family, bring you many silver linings!
Have a wonderful week everyone! Don't forget to read "The First Advent" story today as we begin this countdown!
Shine on!
- Karen