Honouring Shivon - October 16, 2007
On October 8, 2007 Shivon sent the following email to our choir community...
Dear Choir Community,
A very Happy thanksgiving to all of you. This year its a special one for me. On top of the many blessings of my life – work that I love, dream team to work with, loving family, extraordinary community, and excellent health,
Now, I have been given an extraordinary opportunity to give something back.
I have a dear friend named Joel Solomon. We have been close friends and collaborators in the Hollyhock community for 24 years. He has an inherited condition - polycystic kidney disease - which has been causing his kidneys to gradually shut down. They’re now functioning at about 12%. It happens that my kidneys are in tip-top shape (all that singing!) - and we are a perfect match! So, next month, I will be undergoing surgery to donate my left kidney to Joel.
The date of the surgery – November 14 – happens to be the 18th anniversary of my successful breast cancer surgery back in 1989 – another reminder that I have so much to be grateful for. The operation takes place at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. I’ll be in hospital 5 days, then I’ll stay on in Vancouver another 10 days for follow-up before coming home to continue recuperation. I will most likely be away from choir for the last 6 weeks of this year. I expect to be back in action when we start up again the week of January 7. Denis will of course be there for GHC, and Gloria will take over leadership of High Noon Choir, with guest appearances by Denis. I am enormously grateful to them both for their support – I couldn’t be doing this without their willingness to carry these two precious balls in my absence.
While it took some time for me to screw up my courage to take all the tests that eventually led to being chosen as a donor, I have become quite comfortable with the prospect of what I am facing. It does seem extraordinary that we come packed with this one “spare part” - a second kidney, when we can function perfectly well with just one. It’s as though we come supplied with an amazing gift neatly packed inside us that we have one opportunity in a lifetime to give, and with that gift, be able to save a life.
I have met the transplant surgeon, and learned that he has done about 500 of these operations – one or two every week! The entire transplant team at St. Paul’s is wonderful, and I know that Joel and I will be I good hands. We will however also count on the prayers and healing vibes from all of you. It’s at times like this that we really get to feel the heart of our community.
With much love and appreciation for all you bring to my life,
Shivon
On October 11, the following email went out on behalf of Laura Finch, Tuesday Alto and Tousilam (Ron) George, a Cowichan spiritual Elder...
Hello to all
Tousilam (Ron) George spiritual elder from Cowichan Tribes (who gave Shivon the drum she uses for the Apache Honoring Chant) and Laura Finch (GHC Alto) would like to ask you to be part of organizing a surprise gifting from the choir for Shivon. Denis is in the know on this but Shivon isn't.
We have purchased a blanket from Tribes (blue with a beautiful moon) and Ron has made a cedar box. He would like to come down next Tuesday, and present this to her from choir, with all choir members putting their hands on the box. Ron will talk about the traditional healing of this. The blanket is for her to take to hospital to cover her with all of our love.
The cost is about $175. If people could contribute $1 or $2 that would be great. I will collect next Tuesday. Denis will take the box and blanket to Monday night session and Ron and I will come on Thursday.
This announcement has gone out to everyone involved in the current session except Shivon. Please don't let her know about it.
Live and sing in joy
Bill Hanson on behalf of Laura & Ron
Following the resulting honouring ceremony, on October 16, Kathie Doerksen took these photos ...
The ceremony involved Tousilam George presenting Shivon with a cedar box that he had made. He then had Kathie Doerksen, Monday Alto and (I think) Lorna Ashmore, High Noon Soprano wrap Shivon in a cermonial blanket purchased with donations collected at choir. Finally he played his drum and sang a native honouring song while we all took turns giving Shivon a hug. Given that there were a substantial number of time travellers from Monday and Thursday nights in addition to a full Tuesday night crowd Shivon got thoroughly hugged!
On October 17 Laura sent the following message to our community...
Dear Choir Community,
On Tuesday night, Tousilam George, a Cowichan spiritual Elder, and friend of our choir, came to assist us in supporting and honouring Shivon for her upcoming kidney transplant.
We began the honouring by asking two choir members to cloak the blanket you all purchased around Shivon. Tousilam then presented her with a cedar box that he made and we are welcome to put good thoughts, good wishes inside for her to read later.
Tousilam drummed and sang the traditional prayer song, while all of us formed a line and silently hugged Shivon.
She will have the blanket, full of our love and spirit, to take with to the hospital, as well as the box. Shivon to bring it with her to choir on Thursday and next Monday to show you all what you have contributed.
I am sorry Tousilam is not able to come on other nights as he has commitments in the Cowichan, but please know that all of you were with us, and Shivon knows that.
It is such a blessing to be part of this singing community.
Love Laura Finch