Art has the ability to transcend borders.

A cardinal flew by during my run yesterday. Watching it’s contrasting red flame against the peaceful winter landscape, my thoughts turned to the golden grassy homeland of my friends in South Africa.

Contrasts and borders.

My friend and I often discuss the similarities our families share. The love of a great family, simplicity of rural life. Her father, a country music fan, harmonizes his rich South African voice to‘Country Roads’ on my Dad’s CD.  Our fathers singing together, a half a globe apart.

Among the abundant similarities, Freedom isn’t one of them.

Not the kind of freedom I have known as a Canadian.

Six years ago when Kenny was brutally beaten in his own home, my heart broke.He survived the attack, with the fortitude of a man much younger than his 70 plus years. His strength, fed by terror the five attackers would discover where his wife and mother in law hid.

It was not the first time they had experienced violence.

Yet the thank you card I received didn’t speak of anger or bitterness.  It resonated with love and gratitude.

Overjoyed their daughter had traveled from Canada to ‘build us up again with fresh meals’ Marina wrote. “We are thankful our daughter lives in a much safer place”.“We have such a beautiful country,” she continued” with excellent weather. We hope it won’t be spoilt by unnecessary violence.”

“ART AND SPORT HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THE WORLD, THE POWER TO INSPIRE, THE POWER TO UNITE PEOPLE IN A WAY LITTLE ELSE CAN.’ART AND SPORT CAN CREATE HOPE WHERE THERE WAS ONCE ONLY DESPAIR. THEY ARE INSTRUMENTS FOR PEACE, EVEN MORE POWERFUL THAN GOVERNMENTS”. Nelson R Mandela 

Swaziland 11×14 Original oil

Fire & Water 9×12 Original Oil

A special thanks to Marina & Kenny( married 56 years) for allowing me to share their story~ you continue to inspire me every day like my own family, with your gracious hearts & strength of spirit.