As all new immigrants that arrive to the beautiful country called Canada do, the Dutch community worked together so that all would succeed and prosper.
The story behind this old dresser is just one of many that demonstrate the strength and power of community.
My father purchased this dresser from a fellow farmer, thereby allowing him to meet his mortgage commitment and grow the family farm.
My parents were able to transport some pieces of furniture with them when they emigrated to Canada. I don’t know if the previous owner brought this dresser with them from Holland or if it was something they acquired after settling here.
This dresser ended up in my childhood bedroom, and then into my present home. It has been in great need of a face lift for some time.
My first thought was to restore it, pulling out the true beauty of the wood. It quickly became clear to me that I did not possess either the required talent or skills necessary to complete such an undertaking.
So, instead, I chose to give it a thorough cleansing.
Washed away, with the dirt and the grim, went the hardships of those early years. Life as a new immigrant back then was just as difficult as the challenges faced by our new immigrants of today.
I watched the buckets of dirty water swirl down the drain. With the dirty water went the tears, the hardships, and the sorrows of these early years.
And as I softly rubbed oils into the newly cleansed surface, into it went all of the great opportunities this country has offered us over the years, as our families grew and prospered.
As I polished the surface, into the dresser went all of the hopes and dreams of the future.
A total restoration of this beautiful work of art belongs to the next generation.
Rain forest Mist and mystery Teeming green Green brain facing lobotomy Climate control centre for the world Ancient cord of coexistence Hacked by parasitic greedhead scam From Costa Rica to mangy B.C. hills Cortege rhythm of falling timber
What kind of currency grows in these new desserts These brand new flood plains?
If a tree falls in the forest, does anybody hear?
If a tree falls in the forest, does anybody hear forest falling?
Anybody hear the forest falling
Cut and move on Cut and move on Take out trees Take out wildlife at a rate of species every single day Take out people who've lived with this for 100,000years Inject a billion burgers worth of beef Grain eaters methane dispensers
Through thinning o-zone Waves fall on wrinkled earth Gravity, light, ancient reface of stars Speak of a drowning But this, this is something other Busy monster eats dark holes in the spirit world Where wild things have to go To disappear Forever
If a tree falls in the forest, does anybody hear
If a tree falls in the forest, does anybody hear
Anybody hear the forest falling
If a tree falls in the forest, does anybody hear
If a tree falls in the forest,does anybody hear
Anybody hear the forest falling
If a tree falls in the forest
If a tree falls in the forest
If a tree falls in the forest.
My husband and my son, sharing some quality father/son time in beautiful British Columbia, will be attending a Bruce Cockburn concert tonight.
And a tree fell in my forest…..
My sunlight forest
I love my forest I love my trees I love their buds I love their leaves.
On a cold rainy night on a Liverpool quayside In the year before the Great War The crowd was in shock at the loss of Titanic; So proud had they been the day before.
Relatives gathered for news of their loved ones, To read through the list of the dead, When into the throng came a sad-eyed old polar bear And to the clerk at the counter, he said
Have you got any news of the iceberg? My family were on it, you see; Have you got any news of the iceberg? They mean the whole world to me.
Mama and the kids
My wife and my children were coming from Greenland To be by my side in the zoo; Belinda's my wife, and the eldest's is called Bernard, And Billy, well he's only two.
I know on the ship there were hundreds of people And I know the iceburg's not yours... The polar bear's eyes held the start of his teardrops And he covered his face with his paws.
Have you got any news of the iceberg? My family were on it, you see Have you got any news of the iceberg? They mean the whole world to me.
It's been over a year since I last saw my children. I left home to build my career; I've worked very hard; I'm a star in the circus; It's all been for nothing, I fear.
Circus poster
That's my face on the poster; we're in town this week; My children were meeting me here. Everyone watched as he struggled to speak, As his paw brushed away one more tear.
Have you got any news of the iceberg? My family were on it, you see; Have you got any news of the iceberg? They mean the whole world to me.
By now all the people had gathered beside him; His grief was one they could share. The people around him, in silence and sadness, Listened to the sad polar bear.
I wanted my children to see me performing And Belinda, she would have been proud; At last lost for words, and his tears flowing freely, The question was asked of the crowd.
Have you got any news of the iceberg? My family were on it, you see; Have you got any news of the iceberg? They mean the whole world to me.
Groovy Tales of a Well Adult 