Park Benches!

There has been a new edition to our daily walks; park benches! Over a two week period in mid-October the park staff were busy arranging new memorial park benches throughout the park. Each bench has been donated in memory of a loved one. One can now have a rest half way up the 1 mile trail allowing for a panoramic view of the winding creek.  Other benches were added along “Ring Road”, beside the Sydenham River, by each of the play grounds and in quiet out-of-the way spots in the park. 

One of the highlights of my mid-day walk with Abby, my canine sidekick, is two women who share the same park bench.  They can be found around noon proudly sitting behind their walkers which have been decorated with flags and ribbons.  They both wear bright red headbands, navy coats and one has a lovely yellow scarf while the other wears a bright green scarf.  Each as cheerful as the colours they wear.  

There is an elderly gentleman who I often see sitting on a bench in a quieter part of the park.  He nods in response to my “hellos” but never offers any more conversation.  I have assumed the bench was donated in memory of his wife and it is while sitting there he daily converses with her despite her physical absence.

During one walk I found a sweet blue and white rabbit sitting on one of the benches, someone had carefully placed it there with a heavy rock upon its lap.  I stopped and smiled as I thought of the child who is looking for this furry friend and the many adventures they must have shared; my hope was that the bunny found its way home.

Another time I witnessed a grandma sitting on the bench with a small child sharing a picture book.  I knew a child like this, one who would carry books everywhere, always preferring books to jungle gyms or slides.  I hope someday to sit on the same bench with one of his children, my grandchildren, sharing in a book while the others run and play.

This past week I noticed that many of the benches have been decorated with bows or Christmas decorations.  Presumably this is done by family members of those whose names are on each bench; an act of remembrance which is most important during this sacred season.

In the few short weeks that these benches have been present they have nurtured rest, reflection, friendship, healing, and created countless memories. May we never forget to pause and appreciate the small things for as it is written, “Enjoy the little things in life for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things.”

Blessings,

Rev. Heather McCarrel