A dream is a wish your heart makes when
you're fast asleep. In dreams you will lose your heartaches. Whatever you wish
for, you keep. Have faith in your dreams, and someday, your rainbow will come
smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on
believing, the dreams that you wish will come true - Cinderella
On the weekend, we met up, with plans to
go see The Vancouver Aquarium. Yet, as we began our exploring near the Laughing
Statues at English Bay, it was understood we were open to whatever form of
discovery that led the way.
Since Chantel had never been to Stanley
Park or walked along the seawall, I felt this was a wonderful chance to simply
allow the day to unfold.
I pointed out the energy balancing rocks,
magically teetering as if an unseen hand was holding each one up. My attention was drawn to a set of swings in
the playground area. Both Chantel and I knew we had to sit upon them and kick
our feet upwards to the sky. We tried singing a song that Shayla loved to belt
out, but my out of tune voice and lack of knowing all the words, brought the
moment to a close. Without saying it, I know we both felt the void of her colossal
presence.
One thing that we do openly share is that
Shayla is still around us is some form, an invisible presence. We see her shape
in wisps of clouds, or in a shiny pebble that has glints of sparkle. Her free-
spirit is in a shell tossed about by the brisk ocean waters. Shayla’s Aboriginal
roots are found in the feather of an eagle or in the curved knots of dancing
trees. The opportunity to disclose what
we sense around us, allows her and I, the belief that Shayla will reside eternally
in our fractured hearts- whose opening will never close back up, completely.
We spoke of what we miss the most about
the girl with the golden heart. How her laughter resonated within every inch of
whatever room or building she entered. I miss how as mother and daughter we
would tickle each others arms, ever so softly. For Chantel, she misses many things; especially sharing
the epic hours of playing Disney's Monopoly, lying at the beach together and the endless conversations,
shared over the years. Our reminiscing
made me think of a poignant quote.
“Have you ever lost
someone you love and wanted one more conversation, one more chance to make up
for the time when you thought they would be here forever? If so, then you know
you can go your whole life collecting days, and none will outweigh the one you
wish you had back.”
― Mitch
Albom, For One More Day
It was along the path of our time spent
together that I shared with others about The Heart Pebble Movement. I spoke with Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters
and the crew in amongst English Bay, about Shayla and it was a chance for my
daughter’s best friend to see why this cause is near and dear to me.
At Siwash Rock, it was decided the best
place for a stone release from Shayla’s collection would be here. I said a few
words and then passed it on to Chantel. She turned her back and with a toss, it
landed perfectly in a pocket of sand on the surface of the rock’s lower part. I
liked the notion of the meaning of Siwash Rock to reflect “unselfishness.” Such
a word has been used to describe my daughter, who was devoted to a career of
helping those in need.
In the end, the Aquarium would have to
wait for another day. Our time of seeing the sights brought us a release of what
we know and the ability to hold close the stepping stones that were Shayla’s
life…
By T.L. Alton
