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Lorraine Nicholson joined the gathering at the pine table in Luss, Loch Lomond Scotland, the event that birthed the Kitchen Table Wisdom Story. Lorraine lives in Perth, a city that is situated in the heart of Scotland. She is an artist and an integral member of our community...perhaps our Artist in Community. She has recently birthed a book called 'The Journey Home' which is a breathtakingly beautiful collection of her poetry, artwork and photography embracing the theme of recovery from severe depression.
"In the void of identity loss associated with mental distress, never did I imagine that one day I would be authoring and illustrating a book based on my recovery and sharing my experiences with the world via my website: hope4recovery Therein lies the alchemy of the process in that recovery has that potential to be transformative for everyone.
I am currently fulfilling my life's dream of going to art school having completed my first year of a B.A. Fine Art degree and what's crucial to me is that my Mum has lived to celebrate that fulfillment."
- Lorraine Nicholson
We had the pleasure of connecting with Lorraine at February's Christine in Conversation with... telegathering. The pleasure of listening as she described how 'The Journey Home' came to be...the pleasure of listening as she offered us a poetry reading.
Afterwards Lorraine posted on our community Facebook page -
"It was a very rich and profound sharing of my work "The Journey Home" today with my friends and colleagues across in Canada from my Scottish kitchen homebase. I enjoyed reading my poetry and sharing my perspectives on the recovery process within the context of the power of the arts to heal the wounded soul. Thanks Christine so much for making this miracle of sharing across the Atlantic possible....."
Thank YOU Lorraine! Together we ARE building community!
Here are two poems by Lorraine. I hope they touch you as they did me.
Seeing the Light in Me
By Lorraine Nicholson
When my life's flame dwindled, flickered and went out
You lit another candle and cradled its flame
Protecting its being from the raging storm going on around it
Waiting for the lull, the recovery of calm.
When it finally came, you handed me back by candle.
Together we kept watch over it, aware of its fragility.
Daily we saw its beauty and its strength re-emerge.
Now you ca see it lit in the window of my eyes...
Life's Voyage - (Journey with the Wind)
By Lorraine Nicholson
Far horizons attract my gaze once more.
My world of four walls has now expanded.
My imagination now seems my only limit.
I grasp opportunities that present
And create new ones, as change stimulates me.
My sails catch the wind and I know it is recovery.
Life is a voyage with tempests and flat calm.
I am the helmswoman that steers my course now,
Knowing the harbours of friendship and support
In which to shelter when the waves get too threatening.
They do not stop me sailing for that is the thrill of living.
I am my own lighthouse now, warding myself away from dangerous rocks
Which may bring me down.
Catch the breeze on your face and feel refreshed.
Be bold and charter new territory.
New resources within you are just waiting to be tapped
So fill your sails and journey with the wind...
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