How does one properly process and heal from trauma, hardships, and loss? How does one learn to not only accept but embrace the trials and tribulations of life, especially in these trying times of modern day?
There are different answers for different people. But Karen Patterson hoped that by coming together as a group, commonality and the potency of love would help those find the answers.
Patterson, a family mediator and relationship and life coach, organized an event called Love to Above, which took place the afternoon of Saturday, February 5 at Avery Beach boat launch. It was a gathering of people from the community who made hearts in the ice or snow whilst reflecting on love, loss, or grief, or chatting with others. The welcome and camaraderie was
evidently felt by all.
“The idea is that you’re sending your love out there wherever,” Patterson says. “It’s heavy, and there’s grief, and we’re all tired so this is an idea of freeing that and sending love and fixing our hearts a little bit.”
Many participants brought snowshoes and ventured onto the ice to help form a giant heart; some stayed on the snow and formed their own smaller hearts. The day was sunny and bright, a suitable backdrop for such an occasion.
Patterson was inspired by a viral online video of a shepherd in Australia who had laid out grain in his field in the shape of a giant heart. He then let his sheep out to eat the grain and form the shape of the heart in honour of his late aunt. Patterson shared the video on social media and suggested to someone who expressed their difficulty with a recent loss to go out on the ice and make a heart.
“And I thought ‘You know what? I think I could use a heart too,’” Patterson says. “Our community is so divided right now and I just want some commonality to come together. My heart is going out to all of the front-liners who have been in the trenches this whole time so that’s where I’m sending my love. And the idea is that whether you believe in God or the Universe or whatever,
it’s just to send some love up.”
Patterson remarked on how the event created an opportunity for people to unite and share their stories and their reasons for sending love. She hopes the hearts will stay where they are and that people will come to add to them throughout the winter. She says she would love to come back in the near future and see that the size and number of hearts have grown.
“It would be lovely if they stood here for the rest of the winter, and people come and add to it or whatever, and it could be a community love fest,” she chuckles.
If you are passing by Avery Beach boat launch, consider adding a heart to the collection to help the love grow.
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Thank you from everyone in Muskoka! Very much appreciated.
Beautiful idea????????