Since this COVID-19 pandemic, I have reconnected and spoken to a number of friends. It has been such a heartfelt gift! Along with the connections I have been going through photos in trying to get more organized, move photos from my phone to my Drive and posting photos on Facebook. All in all this process has ignited melancholy and appreciation for special friends in my life.

This week in particular I have done a few posts about my poetry and have shared paintings from my father. A wave of gratitude washed over me for the inspiration and friendship I’ve had with my very supportive HOHs ( Highview Old Hotties), as they were incredibly supportive and embracing of me during the very difficult turbulent times of my father’s kidney cancer battle. The synergy of two friends in particular, Angie Cule and Debra Pendlebury, were the seeds that propelled one wonderfully sacred event, Art Auction for Africa. This event raised I think if memory serves me correct over $2500 in the auctioning of my father’s paintings. The idea was Deb’s brainchild. She approached my father to coach her with painting. She turned to me at the time and said, “Your dad needs something more to be motivated. I think if we came up with an event that utilized his artistic skills that it might give him a project, a goal to work towards.” At the same time Angie was doing great work with Youth Volunteers of Canada. She had connected with a community leader in and around a remote village of Kenya. This to ideas meshed together like peanut butter and jam and voila before we knew it we suggesting to my father that he produce paintings for a fundraiser. We would auction them for the Kenya community that Angie was desperately trying to help support.

Over a series of months my father was on a mission to produce art for this event. This project gave him direction, hope and meaningful purpose. It was incredibly healing for his mind as I think it also benefited him physically. That summer Saturday June 27, 2009 (three days before my father’s 78^th birthday) we hosted the auction in our backyard. I matched poetry to the paintings and hung them on our backyard fencing. (Friends, I don’t have any pictures from that event on my drive and if you find any id love to have a copy). Diana “Rad” was the auctioneer and John Stewart played his wonderful tunes as our friends raised the significant funds for Kenya. It was amazing! At the end of the day Angie showed a power point of the community and all the good work happening in Kenya. Right after my dad looked up into the sky and there was a perfect cross in the sky, which then became the inspiration to the painting shown. The money was used to build a community home in the village along with a few smaller projects. The synergy ignited in my dad’s heart was priceless!

I thank our friends for supporting this sacred precious event. BUT in particular, I want to say THANK YOU to Deb. Her vision and drive to support this event made a huge difference to our family…to my father. Now what is truly remarkable is that Deb has made it her mission to create motivating events, parties, trips, that bring people together in laughter, fun activities, which often push people out of their comfort zones and encourage creativity. Deb, you are a role model as a creative connector, who makes it their mission to enrich the lives of others through story and shared fun. THANK YOU! May we all take inspiration for her example and passion not to let friendships fade away.

So friends, Carpe Diem! Never under estimate the power of idea, energy and creativity. You can move mountains and make a difference in another’s life!

 Dazzle’s Challenge:

• Mom’s make sure you connect with your mom and couple friends during this difficult time. Your gal pals with help keep you sane as you juggle through this intense period.
•  Remember to make sure your children are able to connect with other children in a creative social distance playtime and through technology. We are social animals and kids miss the connection even more than us.

 Quick Links:

Friendship

• Know Your Strength for More Success – Are You a Connector, a Maven, or a Salesman
• Meeting People Through New Activities

Children

• Supporting Kids During the Covid-19 Crisis
• How To Celebrate Your Kid’s Birthday During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Partner Relationship Development:

• Creating meaningful Conversations

Here is the poem I wrote which we used as the invite for the event back in 2009 :

In each of us there is a song to be sung
Some sing it from the time they are young
Others struggle but never find their voice
And others by choice
For some it stays hidden waiting to be released

Now the universe works in magical ways
Connecting people and creating opportunities that amaze
Ten orphaned African children and one elderly and ill man
Linked together on opposing shores by a young lady is where this bonding began

Small specs in the universe, on opposite sides of the earth
They inspired each other with hope and self worth.

A tale was told, agony was struck, emotions poured out a miracle of sorts 

He heard how Angie was on a mission to raise money to build a better home for these ten sisters and brothers
He said, “Angie I am so grateful for the miracle of life I must give back and do what I can to help others.”
I am not gone yet I will paint for these children as long as I am alive
I can sell my work so that they can eat, go to school, be healthy and survive.
 
Frank painted with intensity passion and glee
His daughter said “Let’s auction your work, for all to see
So Frank had hope and a new found purpose to his miracle of life
It might help ease the strife
 
Frank, Angie and his daughter now invite you to do your part
They send you this message from their heart:
 
Our quest is filled with potential to bring hope, happiness and a promise of transformation
For we have all been blessed with capacity to improve our earth with loving foundations
We can help keep the innocence, purity and joy alive in a vibrant bouquet
It really is a matter of choice each moment of every day
 
So sing and dance like there is no tomorrow
Be patient, slow down and don’t dwell on sorrow
Toss fear to the wind, and surrender
We need to trust for love will render
Serenity, direction and abundance will become clear
A sacred world, in each other and our planet, so dear.
 
Please join us in sharing and singing OUR song.
Fuel, fan, embrace and be a catalyst for helping these children along.

Let’s let the synchronicity of our lyric, melody and beat
Come sing, dance, bid have a drink and something to eat!