The little things that count

Monday October 15 was to be a day when bloggers would write about the environment (notice the lovely badge to the right?) … I only learned that a bit too late, however, I thought I wouldn’t defer it until next year and write about it anyway. Someone reminded me over the weekend: “Don’t forget the importance of little things”, and it’s true! Little things like smiles, a hand-written card, a call, a job well done, a warm welcome, a fall walk, a clean kitchen… little things that add up and make a day more beautiful.

In little things, Jasmina and I like to be attentive to the environment. Here are a four less known facts:

• We both use Norwex products
• We both like to incorporate as much fresh food as possible in our diets (avoiding preservatives, etc.)
• Jasmina had Sébastien’s nursery painted with a paint containing low VOCs
• We both have compost bins in our backyards

There are other cool ideas:

• Greendimes: stop your junk mail, plant a tree
• Read an environmental blog: pick your favorite
• Check out the Lululemon manifesto: do good and feel good
• Bottled water: an excellent article, long but worth the read
• We are what we do: take action, have fun!

What little-known environmentally-friendly things do you do?

This blog has goals!

I’m always happy to meet people from David and Jasmina’s many friends and have sometimes been asked: “You’re the one who blogs?”. Being a rather shy person, it makes me blush to think of the 50 to 100 people who regularly read the blog. Since you have the consideration of reading, I thought I’d share with you the goals of this blog.

Place de choix concentrates on four main subjects:

1. News and anecdotes of Sébastien
   (Anecdotes, Fundraising, Superstar!, Moment’s notice)
   Stories, conversations, up coming events, media news and emergencies.
2. Explanations of his medical condition
   (Medical terms, Transplant)
   Technical details… things that pertain to his health, be it various therapies, or precisions on his medications, his kidneys or his transplants.
3. Parenting
   (Parenting)
   This area I hope to develop more as I assume that many of the blog readers are parents, or may have some interest in parenting. Sometimes it might be cool articles, gift ideas for children, or simply thoughts on parenting today.
4. Fun and inspiration
   (Inspiration, Varia)
   Sometimes, it’s good to have a break and laugh. For all who know David and Jasmina, they like to have fun, spontaneous, sometimes-mischievious fun! And other times, it’s good to feel inspired, to know that others have gone through difficult things as well.

What motivates me to write?

• First and foremost, it’s you, the readers of the blog, with whom I share a common interest. You, who want to learn more about what a child’s life is like after a transplant.
• I’m also motivated by wanting to better understand Sébastien’s journey… what he goes through, and also by wanting to accompany his courageous parents, David and Jasmina.
• It’s a choice… I wanted to help in a small way, to shine a light on a special story, so very unique, it had to be shared.

What are the goals of Place de choix?

1. To inform and inspire
2. To build a community

Personally, I try to write 2-3 trimes a week, and I try to write articles that are well thought out and informative. If you have ideas, comments or suggestions, never hesitate! There’s always room for improvement!

Just to say…

There are new pictures of Sébastien on Flickr. Click on the link on the right side menu to have a peek at his most recent adventures! A wonderful long weekend to all!

La Marraine

SHHH!

I came across an excellent article on the Kevin, M.D. blog about a new initiative published in the New York Times. It’s called: Silent Hospitals Help Healing. Knowing how Jasmina deplores the level of noise in the hospital, this article brings a refreshing perspective, describing its origin:

The program, called Silent Hospitals Help Healing, or SHHH, was started two years ago by Elodia Mercier, the administrative nurse manager of the floor. Ms. Mercier says a quieter floor has not only helped patients sleep better but has also lessened stress on workers.

Sébastien’s grandparents are back from their stay in Toronto, arriving in Manitoba last night. They are all excited about Sébastien’s rapid recovery from being almost in a coma-like state during 10 painfully long days. Perhaps Toronto is another place, where, as Chris Colin wrote in an article: “miracles – by which I mean the manifestations of skill and technology – are very much the norm”.

Monday, our answering machine caught a message from David and Jasmina. Two years ago, on the 9th, Sébastien was a special guest:

Links to Sébastien’s blog

We’ve noticed the links! Thanks for including Sébastien in the Short Gut Blogs!

Nora Thomas

Eleanor Brogan

I’m away! News when I come back!

Happy Easter!

On a cup of chai tea latte at Starbucks:

If I have given my all and still do not win, I haven’t lost. Others might remember winning or losing; I remember the journey.
- Apolo Anton Ohno, Olympic medalist

To all the readers of the blog, we wish you a beautiful journey, rich with love.

Not an April fool’s

It’s not a joke! Hope for Sébastien has had a facelift! The idea: simplicity. The new focus: the blog. Sébastien’s picture galleries, from the time he was born, will now be on Flickr. How do you like it?

Lighting a candle

When Sébastien was still here in Winnipeg and was well enough to go to Church on Sunday, it was Jasmina’s habit to bring him to the front to light a candle and say a prayer. The candles sat in colored glass holders and Jasmina would ask Sébastien to choose a candle for her or David to light. Today, in the Parish Bulletin, a person writes asking “What is the value of lighting a candle in church? It seems such a useless gesture since prayers are the real thing.” The priest’s answer eloquently explains the meaning of the simple gesture.

Lighting candles is one of many customs that can be found in most of the world’s religions. Lit candles, in church or at home, in front of a picture or statue of a favorite saint, serve a symbolic function. The light of the candle represents our desire that our prayer may be constant, as Saint Paul urged. Our desire to remain in church praying is captured in this simple lit candle. The candle burns while we go about our daily tasks, symbolizing our desire to be at prayer with God. Similarly, Tibetan Buddhists spin prayer wheels and believe that as long as the wheels spin a prayer is offered. Let’s not forget, candles give light and banish the darkness. For Catholics they symbolize the Light of Christ, by whose death and resurrection we were saved.
Lighting a candle certainly isn’t a required act. You can pray without lighting candles, without statues, without anything but your faith in God. However, we Catholics love our symbols. We like to engage all of our senses in our prayer experience: beautiful churches, colored light, incense, great music and, yes, candles.
As you say, the most important thing is to keep praying, for that is the real thing. One extreme position to avoid is lighting a candle hoping it will cause something else to happen, like the sudden cure of a loved one or relief from financial ruin. We are to avoid all appearance of using candles as if they have an untapped, magical power, but nevertheless to respect this beloved custom.
- Fr. Rick Potts, C.Ss.R.

Mommy’s little helper