Sunshine Gals - Clue # 3

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Activity # 3 – ‘Love & Kindness’

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Women have been allowed to ‘change their minds’ for centuries, so the Sunshine Gals are revealing one of their ‘mystery’ members, Linda, in conjunction with Clue # 3. The rocks were memories of a trip shared or found on the sandy beaches of Lake Huron at the Inverhuron Provincial Park. Each member arrived with a specific person in mind for the transformation of the rocks. From the stone canvases came our theme, ‘Love & Kindness’. We left no stone unturned.

Our Story:
Half the fun is seeing what the Sunshine Girls have ‘on hand’ when supplies are needed. There were multiple sizes of brushes and limitless shades of paint colours. In truth, each Sunshine Gal shared their story and from there, the creative juices flowed. The location varied with each story… and so here are our ‘love and kindness’ tributes.

‘Linda’s Rock’ (Sunshine # 3) – Ross would often pick up rocks on our travels. This particular rock, dated and filled with “LOVE”, will be taken to the North Embro Cemetery to be placed on the McCorquodale family plot. When I visit Ross, this rock will be a reminder of the many trips that we have taken together. We met at the Bennington Junior Farmers and were married 49 ½ years when Ross suddenly passed away in April 2018. We spent our married life on the McCorquodale Century Farm on the Town Line of Zorra.

Sunshine Gal # 4 has been touched by CANCER. This is a word no one likes to hear. My painted stone represents a family member’s journey throughout diagnosis, acceptance, treatment and recovery.

The road to recovery is not just one step from darkness to light. There are many moments of darkness. There are moments that brighten a day - less pain, less side effects from treatment, a call from a friend. On a bright day you get a picture of a new great grandchild born during the pandemic.

We started this journey in the darkness of January and chemo treatments were completed on a bright day in June. We had days where we watched the sun rise on our way to the cancer clinic and waited for discharge as the sun set into darkness.

Along the way realized that things that were difficult in the dark hours of the night were easier to face in the light of day.

As you wait for appointments at the hospital you hear the gong ring. Someone has just completed their treatments. You quietly wonder what their story is and hope that they have had good news for a bright future.

So, life goes on in a cycle of darkness to light. Brightness & Hope.
This stone will be left in her apartment where she will find it after I leave.

Sunshine Gal # 1 – The stone was found on the shores of Lake Huron where I was camping with Sunshine Gal # 2. I chose to paint a memorial stone for my good friend Liz who died in 2021. She was a special friend who left us too soon. The sun in the sky represents her sunny personality and bright smile. We had a mutual love for camping and spent many camping trips together in our trailers and had many good conversations over the campfire. We met on a trip and have gone on many holidays together since. The arrow flying in the corner represents that. Before she died, she told us that she wanted to come back as a red cardinal, and when you saw one, it was reminding us of her. I will put this stone in my flower garden so every time I go there, I will think of her.

Sunshine Gal # 2 - My stone was a find from the shores of Lake Huron. I chose to fill my canvas with perpetual encouragement as a friend struggles with dementia. The rays of sunshine will hopefully brighten each day as she walks past it in her flower garden. The blue, crystal clear waters will be a reminder of the soothing laps she fondly heard from days spent at her family cottage. She recognizes this stone as a gift from a friend.

Each ‘rock’ canvas is an inspiration in its own realm. We have all experienced how important love and kindness is during these times of COVID. These stories reflect the emotions of WI’s own Mary Stewart Collect – ‘and O lord God let us not forget to be kind.’

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