Touching the Hearts of Real People - Nisbet Lodge, Toronto, Ontario

Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.

My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/

* * * * * * * * *
Today's Blog Post

Touching the Hearts of Real People

As the 90+ year old Asian Lady clutched the Teddy Bear to her chest and then tucked him under her chin… I gulped. I couldn’t believe the affection and the instant claim that this Teddy Bear was hers!

When I carved the Face for this Teddy Bear in my workshop I never considered who might love the little guy again… nor the problem that he might cause…???

Earlier in the day…
I don’t know what I expected yesterday. When my wife and I headed down the highway to Toronto I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Later in the evening as we headed home, I had a smile on my face… and a new warmth in my heart. It is a long story that has just been re-started again. I think that is the best way to describe it.

“Misty Hollow Carving” and Murray Lincoln had been invited to come to Nisbet Lodge, 740 Pape Ave in Toronto. Through volunteer Alice Blackwell the invitation and meeting had been arranged. Alice’s excitement and organizational skills had brought it all about. (Thank you so much Alice!)

The Planning Stages…
Nisbet Lodge is a Long Term Senior’s Home that has a variety of folk living there. Many different nationalities and ages are represented – each with a unique care level. Many are in wheel chairs or need assistance to keep mobile. Above all they are bright and keen.

Nisbet Lodge is a high rise building reaching up to the 13th Floor with the Penthouse Activity Room. Everyone that would come to the meeting arrived by elevator.

The set up for the meeting was done by placing tables in a “U” shape that allowed the seniors to role up to.

My plan was to pass my wood carvings around the table for the folk to touch and feel the wood as I told them stories about each piece.

On each table I placed one Teddy Bear with a Carved Face that was then ready to greet the folk coming at 2 PM.

As the folk rolled into the room and situated themselves around the table they reached out to touch the Teddy Bears sitting on the table. Most looked at the Bear and touched his or her face. As I looked around the room every one was participating already – even before the meeting would begin. Perfect – interaction was taking place between people of another generation and Misty Hollow Carvings. What a delight!

After my talk began I noticed the little Asian Lady and her retrieval of the Teddy Bear. She had the bear tucked under her chin and against her chest. As she cuddled the Bear she caressed the Little Guy as if it was her baby. As I spoke I kept looking back the two – the Bear and the Lady. She was lost to her thoughts and interaction. She likely didn’t hear a word that I spoke and the wonderful stories that I was telling about my carvings.

The meeting was a great success and the possibilities of coming again are good.

One of the residents by the name of Russ came along (in the photo with me). He took time to fetch his wood carvings from his room, from the wall and the small shelves that helped decorate his place on eth 11th floor.

Russ told me that he had started carving in the Second World War. It happened when he saw the other guys sitting with their pocket knives and carving. The talking together and the idea of making something was fascinating for him. A little over 60 years ago be began to whittle objects for others to admire and has not stopped.

On Russ’ small work table that was attached to his wheel chair was a selection of his carvings. One in particular struck me. It was an old lady sitting in her chair and reading a book. It was not assembled as the more modern way accomplishes carving, but rather carved from one solid block of wood. That included the woman, the book and the chair that she was sitting in. No power tools of special chisels – just a pocket knife that took away all that wood that wasn’t needed.

I had met a Master Carver. He sits in his room and plays the harmonica along with ‘Stompin Tom Connor’s’ CD. Russ was a musician in his younger years as well… as a carver. What an interesting man!

One by one in that meeting of yesterday I met some fascinating folk. Each had a hidden, or maybe better to say, unknown talent. Like the lady that was an artist in her younger years that expressed so clearly the feeling she felt as she looked at the carved Bear. It was touching for her to tell me what I knew – but few people recognize. Only another artist could feel and describe it the way she did.

The photos below will tell the story better than the words.

After packing up and about to leave the building a half hour later, the activity director met us at the front door with the lost Teddy Bear in her arms. She was also hugging it. Carefully the staff had found another Teddy Bear and replaced the one that the dear Asian Lady had loved so well all afternoon. As she passed it to me I felt a deep guilt for taking the Bear with me.

NOTE to SELF:
It is bad to let emotions be involved when you are selling Teddy Bears. Yikes.

Yes I will go back some day to speak with Russ. I can’t wait to be there again with my new friends.

Thank you to Alice and the Activity Staff of Nisbet Lodge. I loved it!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Source:
http://www.nisbetlodge.com/

Photos...