Richmond
Richmond Seniors
Marilyn Smyth
Our newest volunteer and web-site editor shares her story. We want to extend our warmest greetings to Marilyn and look forward to her helping us shape the future of this web site.
Marilyn, A Visitor Who Never Left
I first came to Richmond from Seattle in 1993. I came here with my dog; it was a stepping stone to living somewhere else after I had settled back into Canadian life. I had been away from Canada for about 8 years just before this, and I had come back to stay, after working in the Canadian Foreign Service for many years and then retiring on Long Term Disability from the Canadian Consulate General in Seattle. After quickly settling in to my new life in Richmond, establishing new everything from doctors, dentists, veterinarians, favourite shoppings areas, restaurants and nature walks, friends, churches, and Canadianisms, I put off looking for anywhere else to live until I had exhausted the enjoyment of same. But, as time went on, things only got better and better in Richmond, and there was no need to look for a new place to move to or consider even changing homes here. I loved what Richmond had to offer, and to this day, still love everything about it. I do not think there is anywhere better to live. As I said above, there is so much to do here, but not just in a mediocre way but with great richness, satisfaction and enjoyment.
Selected Articles From Current Newsletter and Other Sources
Spiritual Wellness
Nearly everyone has been hurt by the actions or words of another. You can hold on to anger, resentment and thoughts of revenge - or embrace forgiveness and move forward. If you don't practice forgiveness you may be the one who pays most dearly. If you allow negative feelings to crowd out positive feelings, you may find yourself swallowed up by your own bitterness or sense of injustice.
So what is forgiveness and how do you forgive?
Read more...Leading Grandmother with Heart
Jesse Pringle illustrates the old adage that 'you can pursue your passion' at any age. In 2007 Jesse joined the Stephen Lewis Foundation and met 200 African grandmothers who had lost their children to HIV/AIDS. Inspired by these courageous grandmothers she came back to start the South Fraser Gogos, a group of Grandmothers who help the Stephen Lewis Foundation raise funds for African grandmothers. This experience has been one of self discovery for Jesse, who found that many of her skills and talents have been very useful in showing other women of courage and determination how to help others in need.
Crabby Seniors
When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in Moosomin, Saskatchewan, it was believed that he had nothing left of value. Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Alberta. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.
And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is the author of this inspirational 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.
Read more...Alice Wong - New Minister of State (Seniors)
Alice Wong, Member of Parliament for Richmond has been appointed Minister of State (Seniors) in the new cabinet of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. As such, her responsibilities will include working with the Department of Human Resources to promote the well-being of Canadian seniors.