Mom’s taken to examining her hands lately. I sit and watch, observing how hands, decorated with scars, blemishes, and wrinkles, hold a lifetime of stories.
Category: Ancestors
The Stories We Carry: Unlocking and Liberating The Message
One of the greatest joys during this Long Road Home moto-book tour has come not from sharing my story, but from listening to the stories of others. We’ve all got them and we share universal themes. They’re passed down through …
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Signs of Spring Bring Out Signs of Dad
Dad always farmed, his life revolving around the seasons. Only in winter, when nature hibernated, did the frenzy ease. That’s when he pruned his orchards, removing what was necessary to keep fruit trees strong and bearing as much as possible. …
Root Medicine: Good for What Ails You
Think about medicine today and you’re likely to conjure up images of synthetic powders, pills, and serums. Even today, there’s resurgence in the use of root medicines, including turmeric, ginger, and licorice, to treat maladies like inflammation and digestive disorders. …
Keeping the Stories Alive: Grief, Joy, and Memories
Three days ago I was sitting down to my favorite three-egg-salsa-avocado-breakfast, a treat after being on the road for almost three weeks, when my phone buzzed. It was a text from my cousin/sister Jude, letting me know her dad had …
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Discovering The Unlikely Gifts of Dementia
Make no mistake. A diagnosis of dementia is not something to put on your wish list. Mom received the devastating diagnosis approximately ten years ago. She did what she could to delay its progression but even her fortitude wasn’t enough …
Remembrance Day 2018: With Honor and Gratitude
by Liz Jansen Sunday I’ll walk to the cenotaph at the Orangeville town square. I’ll join hundreds of others gathered to remember the men and women who have served, and continue to serve, during times of war, conflict, and peace. …
Remembering my Grandmother on Her Birthday
Four years ago I set out on a quest, seeking answers to who I was before my culture told me who I was. To help me understand my ancestors’ lives, I followed their migrations in Western Canada after they’d arrived …
Shout Out to My Incredible Grandmother on her Birthday
by Liz Jansen These days I’m ensconced in editing and revising Crash Landing, which explains my sporadic posts. In case you missed it, CL’s the story of how the experiences of our ancestors shape us. It includes a motorcycle crash …
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A Gift from the Past and a Lesson on Fear
by Liz Jansen The seas pitched and roiled as the SS Minnedosa steamed across the North Atlantic from London to Quebec City. Below deck, many passengers were confined to cramped quarters, too ill to even raise their head. On deck, …