Dear Editor,
This fall, I entered a Masters of Divinity program at Vancouver School of Theology at UBC. I had been considering this move for a few decades and finally decided to make the commitment. There are quite few things that go into making a decision like this but the bottom line is that I have agreed to show up every week and to be as “present” as possible for the next three years.
When any of us decide to take on a sizable commitment, it is rare that we do it alone. Since September I have been held and supported by numerous people in our community. I started a Fund-Aid campaign in the fall and through that I received many generous donations from islanders. People often stop me in the Cove and say, “How’s school going?” with a sincere inquiry and a smile. And last Sunday night, my dear friends held a fundraiser for me at Collins Hall. It was an evening of fun, food, song and lots and lots of loving support.
I am keenly aware of how lucky we are to have this Bowen Community to hold us “in sickness and health, for richer or for poorer.” The circle that wraps itself around me and supports me has been drawn wide and I am extremely grateful for that source of support and encouragement.
On Sunday evening there were full bowls of chili and plates of delicious salad and dessert; wine and music; tables decorated with flowers and windows draped with links of colourful paper cranes compliments of Ted Spear and IPS students. The room was alive with laughter and extraordinary goodwill. Thank you to my dear friends Dyan Spear, Liz Watson and Carol MacKinnon who masterminded the whole event. Thank you to Rev. Sheilagh MacKinnon for your clever and very funny emcee talents. Thank you Sue Hetherington for filling in many blanks and serving the yummy food. Thank you Susan Munro for being in the kitchen as well and making things move so smoothly. Thank you to Suzanne Allan who stayed after the event and helped with the clean up. Thank you to Lynn Williams and the Madz for the “VST Blues”; Kristin Jarvis for a homemade love song written for me; Chris Corrigan for Neil Young; Shasta Martinuk and the Threshold Singers for lullabies; Brian Hoover for drums and spirit; Alison Nixon for Bach and yet another song of support; Nicholas Belluck and Lilliana Belluck for cello/violin extradorinaire; Bob Doucet for laughter and melancholy: Carol MacKinnon and Roberta Hardie for a very hearty giggle; Shelagh Sparks for playing the piano without skipping a beat; my dear “Billies”-Liz Watson and Susan Munro who created our “Billies” blend; Andrew Stone for collecting the sound gear, setting it up, returning it and donating his own lighting gear to the event; BIMA for lending us wine glasses; The Community Choir and Rob Cairns for the stage and Ted Spear and Ian Watson for tear down and clean up muscle contribution.
The final thank you is to my dear friends who came from town and to our beloved Bowen Community for showing your support and for giving me wings. We have a little slice of heaven here on earth and I am extremely grateful for all of your support and generosity.
Lorraine Ashdown
