As we lead our busy lives and time steadily moves forward, nothing quite emphasizes the passage of years like receiving an invitation to my 50th Graduation Reunion in June. It's hard to believe how swiftly time has passed since 1974. There are countless events and individuals to recall, evoking both joyous reminiscences and sombre recollections of challenging times.
My parents, Joe and Ria, immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands in the early 1950s, eventually settling in Kamloops, BC, where my siblings and I were born and raised. We enjoyed unparalleled freedom to pursue our aspirations, shielded from war, famine, and dictatorial regimes. Throughout the years since my childhood, I've had the privilege of nurturing my son and being a part of a family that includes five other children (now adults), and recently, two grandchildren have joined our ranks. My life was not always what I expect it to be, but I'm grateful for all the blessings I've received.
Today, I received a lovely email from Lisa at Postvelum.com, where she shares her reflections about her time in El Salvador at the age of 23 and how that trip affected her life. She delves into her struggle to comprehend her privilege upon returning to Canada and then how she finds clarity from a priest who fights for justice for marginalized, forgotten and displaced communities.
Lisa's insights have deepened my understanding of how we can utilize our privilege to enhance the daily lives of those we come across every day. It involves acknowledging and honouring their circumstances while extending support and giving back whenever possible. Lisa ends her story with a quote from Joseph Campbell. "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." I hope you enjoy her story as much as I did, in Field Notes-Four.
As the Easter holiday approaches, my thoughts are with all families who have lost a loved one to addiction, and I hope that each of us can find a way to extend compassion and love to those battling addiction.
Happy Knitting! Yvonne