An empty life finds fulfillment

From a Chicken soup for the soul book entitled The spirit of Canada, Leslie Lorette of Toronto, Ont. writes about a personal experience she had.

Staring into her empty coffee cup, Leslie thought her own life was empty — even though her life was busy at the time with work and other things.

As she wrote, “I felt something was missing. Something had to change. It was time to immerse myself in life and connect with other human beings in a way where I could make a difference. I made a decision right then to find a way to volunteer.”

That decision led her to contact the “Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada”, a non-profit group that identifies children with illnesses that threaten their lives, and grants them a wish that will cheer them up.

The first event for her was a picnic, or a “Wishnic”, held in a park in Toronto. Her job, she was told, was to find a group of people described to her only as “The Characters”, and to “look after them”.

As Leslie wrote, “It was the raucous laughter that first caught my attention. I turned to see a small band of what appeared to be very jovial garbage bag collectors, traipsing toward me. They joked and jostled, and each carried a lumpy green garbage bag slung over one shoulder.”

One of them said to her, “Hi, I’m Bob. We need a place to change.” She escorted them to an area that was private. As she wrote, “I watched, fascinated, as before my eyes they transformed into instantly recognizable cartoon characters. There were red plush tongues, big goofy gloves, oversized pearls and giant shoes.

“Once they were dressed, they filed into the picnic area where they were greeted with squeals of laughter from the enthralled children. The kids swarmed all over them, hugging, kissing, giggling and squeezing.”

Suddenly Leslie felt she wanted to be involved. Bob told her there’s an extra bag and said, “Help yourself and come and join the fun.” She did and became Simon the Chipmunk, “complete with furry horn-rimmed glasses.” She received the same treatment as did the others, and was “enjoying their joy.”

Some time later she met Bob in a coffee shop. She asked him where the costumes came from? “Oh”, he said modestly, “I make them. I pick up all sorts of odds and ends... I find the clothes at Goodwill.” He went on to say that each costume costs about $50 to make, plus time to repair them.

When she asked him, “Why do you do it?”, he said, “Because humour heals. When we put on those costumes, we become kids again. And if our hugging, dancing and goofing around can make the kids forget their pain and suffering for one moment, well then .... ”

As Leslie wrote, “I had my answer. I felt like I was really doing something that mattered.”

Harvie Barker is a Penticton resident and writer of inspirational messages. He’s the author of the book, A Good Word in Season Volume 8, now available at the front desk of The Penticton Herald for $10 with all proceeds to local charity.