In memory of my Grandma:

Isobel Maclaurin was an exuberant, creative and forthright person. She was a talented artist and enriched the community of Whistler, BC by capturing the beauty of the more than human world in her paintings and drawings. I did not always see eye to eye with my grandmother growing up but as an adult I came to respect that she was a person that was not afraid to speak her mind.

When I was young I remember spending time picking huckleberries with her in her garden and appreciating her vast collection of unique and eccentric bird houses (I added pics of a few of them in the comments section below) which stimulated my imagination and appreciation for the more than human world. I remember sneaking down into her art studio and standing in awe amongst all the paintings of vibrant tropical fish, exotic flowers, interesting looking people from far away lands, rocks, bears, birds and mountain tops. Those paintings gifted me nourishment for the mind in a way that the ubiquitous digital stimulation of today’s world never could, opening up my mind to see I lived in a world of beautiful diversity worth exploring and cherishing.

(For a peak into her art studio: youtube.com/watch?v=V7vy4iIqVWg )

It meant the world to me to be able to give one of my grandparents a first edition copy of my first published work (my book). Isobel was the first person to ask me what my favorite part of my book is, I had to think about it and came to the realization that despite the fact that I love cooking and the fact my book is titled Recipes For Reciprocity, my favorite part of my book is not a recipe but is actually the Regenerative poems and short stories chapter. It felt good to be able to give her the first signed copy of the book but what meant even more is that after asking me what my favorite part of the book was (inviting me to reflect and look inward) she came back a few hours later and recited a verse from my “Earth Teach Me” poem/prayer. It caught me off guard when she walked up and said “Earth teach me commitment : as the albatross and the wolf who mate for life” but after a second when I realized she was reading my own book to me it warmed my heart. I will never forget that and I will strive to do as she suggested in her selected reading and persevere to remain as a committed partner to my beloved and a committed protector, steward and student of the living Earth on my chosen path to help our human family heal their relationship with their Great Mother.

I will always cherish the art she created and shared with me (such as the two in the images below). The painting of the little boy is me on my first day of school, and I think Isobel captured the genuine opened heartedness, curiosity, hope and playfulness that filled my heart and mind at that moment in my life. Her drawings of wild animals (such as the owl below titled “Gavin’s Great Horned Owl”) were always very moving to me. She had a way of capturing their aliveness, their sentience and creating a visual experience that invites one to catch glimpses of a compelling essence of wisdom which is offered to humanity by each of our elder winged, four legged or finned beings that she drew/painted.

I am grateful for the art Isobel shared with the world and i shall strive to continue speak my truth (even when it is not popular) as she did.

Thank you for these gifts and thank you for being my grandma. You will be missed.