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The morning after a depressing election in Canada, resulting in what effectually is an illegitimate democracy from a population representation viewpoint, I saw and heard from many hardworking mothers, sisters, daughters and grandmothers who work so hard for their families, their professions and gender equality crushed, despairing and inconceivably saddened by the results of a majority Stephen Harper Conservative government, the only government in Canada ever to be found in contempt of parliament.

Turning inward, I went through varyious rollercoaster stages of disbelief, shock, anger, and sadness that our trusted systems had failed us. I questioned so much…and rightfully so.

Despite my grief over this weeks electoral events, I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason. The Creator sets a course for us and while we may not have the reason “why” at the time when our paths seem so dark, a light always shows itself if we are patient and accept it with an eye for opportunity.

Wednesday of this week, that first little light shone so brightly, in the form of eighteen six year olds that it was blinding and unmistakable. Assisting Grace’s teacher, Mme. Sara Alarie, I, along with another local artist and mom (Fonda Sparks) to volunteer and help the class out with an art project for Mother’s Day. The kids were to create a painting after Van Gogh’s sunflowers.

Walking into the classroom, greeted by excited little sunshine faces all ready to paint and get messy for their Mothers reaffirmed my faith in people but more importantly…in myself. Fonda, Sara and I did little in the session but ensure that the kids had their paints refreshed. It was amazing to us, how little we were needed, and how organized, independent and creative they were.

We watched a miracle unfold in front of us. Despite a well-laid plan, they seized the day for themselves, out of love. Breaking every rule they ended up with the perfection of creation all on their own, with such little guidance from us. At times, there was silence and only the music in the room and the sound of love. Such is the way of the artist, the activist and Van Gogh and we would do well to remember that. Every time I work with children, and especially in the Community Fusion project sessions, I am shown again, the beauty of the human spirit.

On Mother’s Day, we honour not only our own wonderful Mothers, but all women in our world. This week, I received the best gift a mother could ever hope for in the form of 18 lovely little ones painting….loving…..learning……finding and showing the sun. I want to share that with you.

I am humbled, gifted by their love and reaffirmed that my pathway is still my pathway. let the light shine….we are so much stronger than the darkness and love ….will always prevail.

Thank you Vincent, and thank you, babies. You are gifts to us all.