Lessons From My Mother

To be a source of training and practice for all aspects of operating a pottery studio To enrich the culture of art and contribute to the artistic well-being in the Cowichan Valley, in collaboration with the CSAA.

Established 2017, the Cowichan Community Workshop Co-op is a volunteer-run not for profit Cooperative that operates a community workshop at The HUB at Cowichan Station. It is a well-equipped woodwork shop which allows members to have access to space and tools to create projects of their own. Recently, classes have been started which augment the open shop times during the week.

The Cowichan Valley Rockhounds was formed in 1963 and its members have a keen interest in all things rock related. We promote the study, collecting, cutting and polishing of gemstones, minerals, rocks and other geological material in the Cowichan Valley. We go on field trips to hunt for rock and have workshops where we have machines and tools to cut and shape rock and slabs into jewellery. We also do silver and copper work. Hub Spring Sale, May 14, 10am-3pm, 2375 Koksilah Rd, Cowichan Station

Sonia Furstenau with her sister Julie Furstenau, and their mother Jan Carroll I am so grateful to my mother for all that she has taught me, and for the guidance and wisdom she continues to provide. Having been a mother for nearly 27 years, I have also had the joy of learning from my children, who help me to see the world from different perspectives, to remember to be curious, and to not take myself too seriously.

Sonia Furstenau, MLA for Cowichan Valley, (250) 7152792 Sonia.Furstenau. MLA@leg.bc.ca

This Mother’s Day, I reflect on the lessons I’ve learned from my mother.

Take care of others. Mom has a vast network of family friends, old and new, and she puts consistent effort into staying in touch with the people in her life, whether it’s a yearly letter to relatives in other countries or a daily phone call with a neighbour, or regular visits with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Take care of yourself. Mom had a fall last summer and broke her hip. Her recovery has not always been easy, but she persisted with physio and exercise, and is once again mobile. I admire her determination and I’m inspired by her efforts.

Take care of your

community. Mom has always been connected to her wider community, and for as long as I can remember, she has volunteered her time, expertise, and energy to help move things forward. In Alberta, she was pivotal in the efforts to protect Elk Island National Park from having a landfill put right next to it. In Saanichton, she has helped to create community garden spaces.

Take care of the planet.

Mom was one of the original recyclers. Way back in the 1970s, we would always collect the newspapers and drop them at the recycling depot. She has been a lifelong organic gardener and instilled in me the importance of valuing and protecting the natural world. This Mother’s Day, I will also reflect on the mother that all of us depend on, Mother Earth. We have so much to be grateful for –air, water, food, beauty – and so many reasons to be protective and to take care of the natural world that provides us with all we need.