An inspirational story

With all that has been said and done since Debrah's passing, the prevailing message is to embrace life and treasure love.

A true example of this was the relationship of Debrah and her husband Don. While it is sad that he must now continue without her, we all know that her spirit, memory and legacy will live on.

Don has posted this beautiful tribute that he created for Debrah's memorial, including the song that he wrote and performed for their wedding.

Superbugs

Over the past week several media channels, including CBC, have covered Debrah's story as the word has gotten out that she died of C. difficle, one of the awful superbugs that can threaten patients in hospitals and other health care facilities. This following a routine surgery about six weeks earlier.

In husband Don's words, Debrah was "a bundle of energy and the picture of health" as she was a yoga instructor, health and wellness consultant and coach. She practiced what she preached, including healthy diet, exercise and self-care, and was truly an inspiration to others. The most common terms used to describe Debrah at her memorial were "luminous" and "radiant".

The fact that she gave birth to twin daughters in July - at the age of 46 - was a testament to her vitality. And so it has been a shock to all that Debrah could succumb to a health crisis. How could this happen? Although medical terminology may describe how it did happen, it seems unacceptable and unfair. Is it simply a random example of the state of our health care?

This has resulted in many saying we should all stay away from hospitals and surgery unless it's absolutely critical. This, on top of Debrah's untimely death, makes me very sad as I fervently believe in Canada's universal health care system.

I truly hope that the awareness generated by Debrah's story, and of the many others struck down by mysterious infections, will result in the better understanding and prevention of these viruses. It is no secret that the shortage of personnel, training and funding are affecting the standards expected and required in hospital wards and operating rooms across our country.

It is difficult to reconcile how someone who practiced a holistically healthful approach all her life has become the victim of a system that's there to care for us all.

Sad and yet glad

Many of my past conversations with Debrah centred around paradoxes and this trip to Vancouver has proven to be such a thing.

I arrived with sadness and disbelief that such a luminous soul was no longer with us. And yet this visit, including reconnecting with very dear friends and attending a wonderful celebration of Debrah and her life, has left me inspired.

I am blessed with so many genuinely great people in my life. And I feel the impulse to pay that forward as Debrah would do.

Debrah Rafel

It is with a heavy heart that I write that a wonderful woman, Debrah Rafel, has passed away in Vancouver at the age of 47. She has been an amazing friend as well as my yoga teacher, coach and colleague over the years. I will miss her very, very much.

My thoughts and love go out to Debrah's beautiful young daughters Ava and Marlowe, step-son Tyler and husband Don, as well as their family.

Literary Lunch on Ice

Today, although on holiday, I ventured to North York Central Library for a meeting and then one of our Keep Toronto Reading events. With the theme "Ladies who Lit," this was one of a number of lunchtime author readings scheduled throughout the month.

The first author, Governor General's Award-Winner Diane Schoemperlen, read from At A Loss For Words, a current-day look at how email correspondence is no substitute for real-time romance, or even love letters of old.

The second author's novel, Town House, features the agoraphobic son of an Ozzy Osbourne-like rock star, and explores the influences of nature and nurture in cultivating anxiety disorders. Interestingly, this very first book by Tish Cohen is being adapted into a screenplay to be produced by Ridley Scott.

Both readings were great, and the audience asked a lot of questions about the process of writing (and having one's writing chosen for film) as well as about societal and cultural influences on their respective themes.

I have to say, though, the highlight of the day for me was sitting in the beautiful concourse of NYCL with huge windows letting in gorgeous sunlight and through which we could watch lunchtime skaters. This is not a typical "Toronto" image and it was a reminder that TO has way more character and charm than it is often given credit for. It was a very enjoyable afternoon combining both my new hometown and new workplace. Very cool indeed.

Life is good

It has been exactly six months since I began my new job, and four months since Maggy and I moved into our new home - and things are great.

I'm taking a week off to hang out with Mags, do a bit more settling in, explore the neighbourhood, and do some of those errands that never get done when life gets hectic. So far this weekend, I've discovered a wonderful Thai restaurant just down the street, Maggy and I have had some good walks, and we're both feeling quite well rested thank you very much.

Tomorrow it's more of the same, plus some shopping and maybe checking out Juno before the Oscars on Sunday. I also want to go to some Keep Toronto Reading events this week (just for fun, not for work) and to take Maggy to a physio appt (to help out with her arthritic hips).

And at the end of the week it's off to a family birthday weekend - bowling with Ben (turning 5!), Claire (just turned 11!!) and Brenda and Bret (won't say what they just turned...).

So all in all, things are going well and we're both quite grateful about that.

Hope you're all enjoying this Family Day in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan and Louis Riel Day in Manitoba! BC'ers - at least you've had some amazing weather over the weekend, which is more than we can say here in TO! ;)

Just chillin' on a Sunday afternoon

Following two whole days of snowfall, Maggy's park is back to being a fun playground. Great for rolling...













... and playing...










... and uncovering yummy sticks to chew.