Blog | laura bachynski

2 Com-Passion

February 25, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Well, we survived the first week of Lent….ha ha. This is where we take a step back and think about the “Passion of Christ”

The word Passion comes from the Latin word for suffering.

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending my first Religious Education Conference because I didn’t have to worry about how to get to Anaheim, California ! THIS year it was presented as a weekend long Zoom experience. I have never been able to attend the conference in person in the past as my schedule or funds did not meet the requirements.

I don’t know about you but this second wave feels like forever to me. I miss my family. I miss hanging out with friends. I miss my wee “Bubble”. And the closer the Spring comes the more I am fighting the urge to feel downhearted about missing out on yet another travel opportunity. (We usually head out to be with our children and grandchildren for a month. I feel emotional just typing this.) This is a suffering for me.

That’s why I particularly liked the talk that Becky Eldredge (See photo above) gave on the weekend. I love the above quote she included in her presentation , “I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:12-13)

Right now I feel like I’m ‘hungry’ for companionship. I’m ‘in need’ of the company of those I love. But I also know what it is like to ‘have plenty’ of friends and family around me. To be well fed by the joy they bring to me. It is truly a form of suffering to be apart and it is a grieving time too.

How do we get through these tough times? Do you feel alone too?

Becky reminds me that Jesus had already experienced all of these things. Our Lord suffered much and we can unite our suffering to his and be assured that he truly truly understands what we are going through and has words of peace for us….

Where can you find proof of this?

Becky Eldredge chose passages from the bible that many of us can relate to right now….

“Begging for something to pass?” (Look up….. Luke 22-39-46)

” Do you find yourself struggling to forgive? ” ( (Luke 23: 33-43)

” Do you feel abandoned the way Jesus was by his friends and followers?” ( Mark 14:43-52)

” Are you enduring physical pain?” (John 19: 1-18)

” Are you watching another loved one suffer, as Mary watched her son?” ( John 19: 25-30)

We are not alone.

We. Are. Not. Alone.

We can trust that there will always be someone to listen to us and answer our prayers. He’s been there. He loves us.

I learned a lot during my conference last weekend. ( And that was only ONE talk out of many offered! ) When I remember that I am not ‘actually’ alone I feel peace. Jesus has compassion for us. And as Kevin O’Brien says above, ” …… there is a grace that comes from the companionship in the suffering.” I want to remember that he walks beside me. (Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour are yours forever and ever.)

May peace be with you too.

0 Dream

February 24, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

You see how happy I look in this photo? I had QUITE the surprise the other day.

I know that all of us have found ways to pass the time/survive ‘lockdown’ due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Maybe you get fresh air every day by walking your dog. Or maybe you are the Netflix queen/king ! Perhaps you’ve gotten into baking breads and cookies and tried not to eat them all.

Well we’ve been doing lots of art and music, reading, Netflix, baking, walking -and for Terry …even golfing at a simulator!

But never could I have imagined that when he was downstairs at his computer every day or with his keyboard and/or guitar that he was actually writing a FULL LENGTH MUSICAL!!!!

You know, you think you can’t be surprised anymore after 40 years together but…..

And guess what? It’s GREAT!!! I’m not surprised. Well. I’m a little surprised because who writes a winner , full length play with original music and gets it perfect the first draft? My husband. That’s who.

So. He based it on stories from his home town and much of the music we played together on Tour in 2019/20. Someone had suggested at our Songwriter’s Circle (with Rob Heath) that he should write a book or musical after he spoke about his town and it put ‘the bug in his head’.

He has strung recent songs together with wonderful new tunes that are the perfect compliment to this story that can break your heart and lift you up too. Although I almost cried all the way through it, I don’t think it’s just because I am proud of Terry. I think many people will be moved by this hope filled tale.

He started off by playing the overture for me on the piano. He write TWO overtures !!!!!

Then he asked me to help him read the script so we went back and forth alternating the lines and with Terry breaking to play each song either on his guitar or on the piano. The music is SO good and the play is written so well.

I am so excited about trying to get a grant to produce this show for a professional read through and then a full scale, mounted production someday when we are allowed to gather again.

Dream. This is what I’ll be doing until we can share Terry Bachynski’s delightful work with you.

Proud of my guy.

2 Carrot, Eggs, or Coffee?

February 23, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.

Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me what you see.”
“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma the daughter then asked, “What does it mean, mother?”

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its insides became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavour. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? ( Anonymous )

We ALL face a lot of trials right now and have been actually grieving on many levels because of this world wide pandemic. And we will all react to adversity in different ways.

I hope to rise above this difficult situation and change for the better because of it. I am already learning to slow down, to pray more, and to try and spread a smile and a word of encouragement to those around me.

I am learning to waste less time and use my precious hours to create art and music too. I am taking the time to reach out more often to people who are lonely or just alone.

And like that wonderful aroma of freshly brewed coffee I want to attract others to myself (“change the water” around me and share the love I have in my heart.)

So …look closely at yourself. Are you a ‘carrot’, and ‘egg’, or a ‘coffee bean”?

0 The Silver Skate Festival

February 22, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

We FINALLY had a break in the deep freeze weather and took advantage of the -5 to head out to the “Silver Skate Festival” at Hawrelac Park.

The snow sculptures there were numerous and incredible as you can see. But the first sculptures we saw as we entered the park were these really cool metal sculptures that could obviously be folded and removed after the festival.

There is a lake that wraps around the entire inside of the park and a river that slides by the outer rims of the north side of it. It was really amazing how many people took advantage of the day and were skating on the lake. It was actually beautiful but a little alarming too as we saw way too many people gathered together and so many people not wearing masks too. Dang.

Terry helped me turn my red boots into their ‘spike’ setting so I had more grip on the snow so I felt safer to walk on the slippery, melting snow. The photos I’ve included were only some of my favourite ones.

We saw parents taking their children tobogganing , skating, sliding, and of course to see all of the sculptures…. and there were picnics everywhere.

We chose the perfect day to go to the Silver Skate Fest and I’m so happy we attended.

0 Here for Them

February 20, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

A friend of mine posted this delightful story. Enjoy…..

Every month Martín’s parents took a trip to see Grandma and came home on the same train the next day.

One day the child said to his parents:

′′I’m already grown up.
Can I go to my grandma’s alone?”

After a brief discussion, his parents accepted.

They stood with him as he waited for the train to exit.

They said goodbye to their son and gave him some tips through the window.

Martin repeated to them:

′′I know. I’ve been told this more than a thousand times.”

As the train was about to leave, his father murmured in his ear:

′′Son if you feel bad or insecure, this is for you!”

And he put something in his pocket.

Now Martin was alone,
sitting on the train as he had wanted,
without his parents for the first time.

He was admiring the landscape out the window.
Around him some unknowns pushed themselves in.
They made a lot of noise.
They got in and out of the train car.

The conductor made some comments about him being alone.

One person looked at him with eyes of sadness.

Martin was feeling more uneasy with
every minute that passed.
And now he was scared.

He felt cornered and alone.
He put his head down, and
with tears in his eyes,
He remembered his dad had
Put something in his pocket.
Trembling, he searched for what his father had given him.

Upon finding the piece of paper he read it:

′′Son, I’m in the last train car!”.

That’s how life is,
We must let our kids go
We must let them try new things.

But we always like to be
In the last car, watching,
in case they are afraid
or in case they find obstacles and don’t know what to do.

We want to be close to them.
as long as we are still alive.

(Adapted from Unknown author)

0 Someday (2)….

February 19, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

I face the sun.

I am chilled but hopeful.

I know it’s coming.

I feel overwhelmed by the weight I carry. But I know it is not forever.

Someday.

Someday we will gather.

Someday we will sit close. Drink tea maybe.

Someday the grass will once again tickle our toes.

I am cold now. Lonely too.

But I have a place for you. In my heart. That will never change.

We will be together again.

Someday.

0 The Sunset

February 18, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

We have been in this deep freeze for 22 days.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my cozy home and I’ve had plenty of things to do to keep me busy.

But yesterday was the first day that the temperatures broke/rose and by the end of the day I just needed to get outside.

It’s still too slippery and dangerous for me to walk outside by myself so I got into my car and went for a short drive. It felt SO good just to leave the house.

On the way back I got to experience ‘God’s paintbrush’ and the ever changing streaks of colour above were a joy to behold at the end of that lovely day. I have missed sunsets ! I’ve seen some incredible ones at this time of the year when we’ve flown to Hawaii in the past. There is something about viewing those vistas that makes one take a deep breath and relax. How wonderful it is that all of us can witness this beauty all over the world…and we all get our own unique light shows!

My soul expanded last night.

Peace.

0 Ashes to Ashes

February 17, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

We had pancakes for dinner last night.

Shrove Tuesday can be explained this way.....

Why do we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?

In Christian tradition, the 40 days before Easter Sunday are known as Lent. Christians mark the time that Jesus spent fasting in the dessert – 40 days – by fasting and praying.

(They abstained from luxury foods, such as meat, eggs, fish, fat and milk.)

Tuesday became known as Shrove Tuesday, this was when the eggs, butter and fat was used to ensure it was all gone for Lenten season. The easiest way to get rid of it was to make pancakes or a fritter. The tradition of celebrating Shrove Tuesday and eating pancakes began because people wanted to use up the tempting food that they were giving up for Lent.

It’s also thought that Pancake Day may also come from a pagan holiday where the round pancake was eaten to symbolize the sun, and was a way of celebrating the Spring.
The Mirror

I remember the BIG topic around our table as children on Shrove Tuesday was "What are we going to give up for Lent?"

We would usually give up our favourite food, drink , or snack and try not to complain about it every day. ha ha.

But today I realize that choosing to give up something for Lent is also about replacing the desire for those foods/drinks with a desire for Jesus. Every time I wish I could reach for that treat I reach for Jesus instead and think about all He has done for me and my family and friends. It gives me pleasure to have this kind of fast.

I have also learned that you don't necessarily need to 'give up' something to make a good and holy Lenten Season. I like to DO something as well.

It is valuable to do 'acts of kindness' during Lent ....and always of course.

Today is Ash Wednesday.

What is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday — officially known as the Day of Ashes — is a day of repentance, when Christians confess their sins and profess their devotion to God. During a Mass, a priest places the ashes on a worshiper’s forehead in the shape of a cross. … The ashes symbolize both death and repentance.
Indystar

The ashes come from the previous year's Palm Sunday where the blessed palms are then burned and saved . I wasn't able to physically attend mass today so I couldn't receive the ashes on my forehead. But I still enjoy our online services and feel so blessed that we even have this option!

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Today is a good reminder that life is fleeting and soon our mortal bodies will return 'to dust'. Let us enter into this holy season together and look forward to the joys of Easter Sunday and our eventual return to Heaven someday.

0 Black History Month

February 16, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada, and more recently has been observed in Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Wikipedia

A did a little searching around to find out more about this important celebration.

https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/all-about-black-history-month

https://www.familyeducation.com/entertainment-activities/12-black-history-movies-for-kids-of-all-ages

The first link (above) is from the CBC and speaks to how Black History Month came to be. Check it out!

The second one is 12 Black History Movies for ‘kids of all ages’ from a family education website.

History is such an important tool to help us learn from our past, our mistakes as well as our triumphs.

Carter G. Woodson, an African-American historian, chose a week in February to recognize African Americans.
Wikimedia

The history of Black History Month dates back to 1926 in the United States. At that time, an African-American historian named Carter G. Woodson founded a week that focused on celebrating the accomplishments of African Americans. He chose the month of February because two famous activists were born that month…..

Frederick Douglass was an antislavery activist and Abraham Lincoln served as the 16th president of the United States.

Frederick Douglass was a former slave in the 1800s who spoke out for the freedom of slaves as well as equal rights for women.

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States and he fought for the freedom of all slaves throughout the country.

While Woodson’s idea began as a one-week celebration, it eventually became a month-long event called Black Heritage Month in the United States in 1976.

And, in 1995, Canada’s government officially recognized February as Black History Month.

Let us honour our black ‘family’ and check out the incredible accomplishments that have helped us all secure a better life!