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My Niece Kayla the Bookworm
Posted in books, family
Tagged Book Reviews, Canadian authors, kdrewkthebookworm, widows, Young Adult
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Sunshine Strikes a Chord — A #Widow of Opportunity
Woke up alone in bed. Again. Shuffled to the kitchen. Greeted “good morning” by my radiant piano. Tuned in to Bergen. He loved music and how it connects communities. The way Keys to the Streets does — a project that aims to transform social isolation into community belonging by putting pianos in public spaces, for anyone to play. #keys2streets
Hindsight, Findsight — A #Widow of Opportunity
Found my late husband’s driver’s licence from 1965. Bergen was 22. A young man destined to travel the world. Had we met back then — when I was just one year old — I could have been his carry-on luggage.
Remembering Bergen Amren
April 21, 1943 – January 16, 2016
Bergen Amren passed away peacefully on January 16th. Born in Prince Rupert, he grew up in the bustling town of Bear Creek, Yukon, he was moved to Vancouver at the age of seven and sprinted his way through the halls of Killarney High School, East Van, then UBC for a BA in Psychology and Sociology and an MA in Sociology . Bergen’s careers were many, including stints with the Ombudspersons Office, ICBC and the office of the Attorney General. A late bloomer, Bergen met Robyn, the love of his life, and became a father to Naomi when he was 50. A carpenter, outdoorsman, musician, dancer, cook, world traveller and guy with a dry sense of humor, Bergen entertained his family and friends for years with a menu of never-ending possibilities. As a volunteer, he brought his skills as a mediator, facilitator, mentor and someone with a keen sense of social justice to the communities and people he loved. Remembered for his joie de vivre, warmth, humour, intelligence, compassion, generosity and endless curiosity.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to campOUT at (toll-free 1-877-717-4483) or to Vancouver Association of Restorative Justice (click on Ways you can help!) & by cheque mailed to: Vancouver Association for Restorative Justice 308-2410 Cornwall Avenue Vancouver, B.C. V6K 1B8 or to British Columbia Council for International Cooperation (click here) by paypal & by cheque mailed to: 550-425 Carrall Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 6E3. A Celebration of Bergen’s life will take place soon. Details tba.
Posted in family, relationships
Tagged community, grief, hemorrhagic stroke, love, obituary
2 Comments
Somewhere In The Rainbow: My Husband, Bergen Amren
Bergen Amren
April 21, 1943 – January 16, 2016
My love, my muse, my best friend
R.I.P.
Posted in family, health, relationships, Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease
Tagged death, grief, heartache, stroke
7 Comments
Confession from an Artist with Parkinson’s Disease
It’s been – and still is – a long, hot summer. Miraculously, I’ve managed not to melt. More incredible, I worked up the courage to buy some real art supplies. Stuff I intentionally stopped using when diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Why? By avoiding exposure to potential neurotoxins in paint, I hoped to protect what was left of my neurodegenerating brain cells. Soon after this boycott, I discovered the magical realm of digital art. But recently I’d been craving the real deal. The physical smearing of paint upon canvas. Tactile textures. Accidental drips. So after an eight year hiatus, I have resumed painting with acrylics and I am overjoyed. I know this might not be good for my brain. But then again, neither is Parkinson’s disease.