Wednesday, March 25, 2009

World Epilepsy Day


The thought of a seizure from Epilepsy is awful to comprehend. I have a very good friend who fights this every day. Michele from British Columbia, Canada has to live with this disease. Michele is a gifted artist with the camera and with her drawing ability. Her web site Rocky Mountain Retreat is a gift to the world. Her husband Marcel was able to save her life last week when she had a seizure while at home alone. I count them both as my special friends.

She has a life story that is very sad, and still, I know her from her strong spirit. She was abused as a child, her twin sister Mandy died from the abuse. She is left, from the abuse, to fight every day with epilepsy. She has just gone through a bad time recently and has been trying to fight her way back. Stop at her site and let her know that you care.
This is a gift to Michele:
1. Purple Crocus in honor of the special day.
2. The Canada Geese, which is one of her favorite birds, with a purple frame. I could not decide on one so here are three different ones for my friend.
This one from the Cuyahoga River.
A pair of geese from a little pond that I saw with my grandson.
This pair were from Lake Hodgson when the ice was just melting.
Get well soon, Michele. I miss your wonderful photos.

20 comments:

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

What a sad, sad world we live in sometimes Tom. When I read about things like this it strengthens my desire to avoid people at all costs and to live like a recluse. There is no telling what each of us has in store for us but as I was coming up to check the blogs, the words of this song were running through my mind:

"Pretend you're happy when you're blue
It isn't very hard to do
And you'll find happiness without an end
Whenever you pretend...."

We all have times when this is so important, to make believe everything is okay in our worlds.

abb said...

Lovely tribute, FG, for a lovely human being. Michele is truly remarkable in every way. Glad she's lived to see another day.
I'm honoring her tomorrow.

Twisted Fencepost said...

Beautiful post, FG!
I am sure it will bring a smile to Michelle's face, just knowing she has the support of strangers across the globe.

Tipper said...

A lovely tribute for your friend Michele. I will say a prayer for her and her family.

I enjoyed catching up on all you've been doing while I've been gone. Love all the "what is its" such a neat way to do a post.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Beautiful post in honor of a very special person.
Blessings,Ruth

NCmountainwoman said...

Lovely tribute, fishing guy. I'm sure Michele appreciates it.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Thanks Tom for doing this. I'm sure that our friend, Michele, appreciates it. I will wear my purple!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Warren Baker said...

Your a great comfort to her FG. A nice bloke.

George said...

What a wonderful tribute for Michele. It is very kind and thoughtful of you. Michele is indeed a very special person.

Shelley said...

This was a wonderful tribute for Michele who is such a special person. It's amazing how she is able to bring us such beauty from her photographs considering what she has been thru. (I did not know the canadian geese was her favorite - I'll have to look thru my photo archives and see if I can post one for her tomorrow.)

Tarolino said...

I just stopped reading this tribute to our wonderful and brave Michele. I never realised about the abuse and about her sister. That made me so distraught. Now the tears are running down my cheek. I'm too sensistive. Thankyou to you for this well thought tribute and for the insight. Thank god for Marcel too.

Blessings to you

Fish Whisperer said...

FG, what a great tribute to Michele. I know her also from her fishing and photo blog. You are a truely great person.
Cheers to you.
FW

Leedra said...

Nice tribute, good way to show her friendship means alot to you.

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Debbie said...

Oh gosh Tom. I just came from Annie's and she honored your wonderful tribute and Michelle with a beautiful tribute of her own. I have been an admirer of Michele's photos, but never knew she had epilepsy or had such a tragic past. God Bless You. You are an Angel.

Michele said...

Thank you Tom! This is a beautiful post and I am touched by what you have done. I have shed tears over your words and how dedicated of a blogger friend you have become to me over the past many months...
Your support is amazing and without that and the support of others, I just don't know how much stronger I would be today.
Many hugs to you, my friend...♥

Carver said...

Great post about purple day and a fitting tribute to Michele and Marcel. Lovely shots.

Mary said...

Beautiful tribute. She has such a wonderful spirit and such good friends among the bloggers. I've read at least 3-4 tributes already today and each is moving and supportive.

Anonymous said...

Your post is a wonderful gift to Michele. "I" Thank You!
Marcell

Annie said...

Lovely purple post for Michele..good on you!

Jack and Joann said...

There are people in our world who have no heart at all and then there are those that have big hearts. The person who abused Michele and her sister had no heart and Fishing Guy, you continue to impress me with your actions and words that show what a big, big heart you have. Hugs and love and peace to both Michele and you. Carpe Diem!