"They" say that if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Sometimes life has felt like I have been required to make lemonade, lemon chiffon pie, lemon pound cake, lemon squares ... When the diagnosis of ALS was received, it felt as if a lemon landslide had occurred and I had run out of inventive ideas to deal with the problem and frankly, I was sick of lemons. Unfortunately, the lemons had landed and there was no alternative but to accept the situation and know that there would be more lemons to deal with in the future. As a single mother and sole proprietor, having always done things by my own handiwork, I thought I might have to deal with this all on my own
and the thought was daunting.
But as I stepped back from the thoughts that this was all bad, I did become aware that you can rely on others in your "universe" who would lend a hand, even if it was only to help consume some of the lemonade, lemon pies, lemon cakes etc.
They could even suggest more uses for lemons or come play with you in the lemons. Who thought it possible? The truth is, that it does take a village to help navigate all the channels that come with any difficult diagnosis because we do not have all the answers or recipes ourselves.
My stitching has always been a meditative process for me and I wished to try to give back in some way to the Society who has been there to help. I have found as this particular project has progressed, that I have more helpers out there than even I have appreciated and I hope upon its completion their generosity will have been properly honoured and that whomsoever takes ownership of the project will see that it takes many to make it work for all of us. Afterall, could
you imagine a world without lemons? Think of the bland seafood, the boring desserts and the unrefreshed atmosphere ...
- Sylvia
Sylvia has graciously started her own very successful fundraiser for the ALS Society of Alberta, “It Takes A Village”. So far she has raised just under $9000 (and counting…)
Here’s how it works:
Visit : https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/startup.aspx?eventid=349736
For a donation of $250 + you can choose one of the options and have your name/initials or company name/initials added into the art piece
Choose a building/structure from “Sylvia’s List”
All donations, no matter the amount are accepted (and Sylvia is VERY thankful)
There’s only a few spots left! Once the piece is finished, we will be auctioning off the art. All proceeds will go to the ALS Society of Alberta to help families living with or affected by ALS right here in Alberta.