What is Tree of stars and how it organically developed?

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  While recovering from a surgery in March of 2017, I was spending some down time at Mountain Park Drive looking over the brow chilling with a coffee, I was inspired by the stunning deep blue color in the sky. I took out my phone and snapped a picture, I took a second look at the picture, I zoomed in with excitement; “OMG, there’s a star in that tree”.  In that moment that photo was my inspiration to believe, and connect with myself.

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  What I decided to do is print and frame this very picture, I was still recovering from surgery when my aunt offered me to house sit her country home for a week, at first I denied because being in a country was a trigger from my past from being abducted. I had a conversation with another relative she encouraged me to face my fears, I then called my aunt to tell her I would house sit. 

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  There I was sitting at my aunts starring at the door, sweating, wide awake all night long, It was 5am and I made it through the first night, I realized I had faced my fears after 33 years. I had a million thoughts running through my head about how I was going to share my story, make a difference and to inspire all.

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  I’ve always discussed my past openly with others in detail about how it has affected me with no shame. Looking back when I was 7 I met Teresa Sullivan, she was a therapist in North Bay, Ontario. Over the years she became my best friend, my everything to the point where she was my maid of honor when I got married at 23.  This lady played a huge part in my life, she gave me strength, a voice, to make a difference, to be myself, its ok not to be perfect, it’s ok to struggle, to love unconditionally and the list goes on.  She passed away 2011, I shut down and closed back up, I lost my best friend. She molded me from a little girl, When she passed away I fell to my knees, felt a knife in my throat and couldn’t breathe.  I drank for a month, I felt lost and incomplete…. And I returned to therapy once again.

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  Everyone has a story and a struggle, My sister questioned me, “ What makes your story so different”?  So here I am…

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Tree of Stars

  Having so many complications from my surgery I was still recovering with still 6 weeks of wound care ahead of me, while sitting at #CrumbunsBakeshopCafe I developed #treeofstarsontour  which is; a mapped out tour of 317 cafes in proper Hamilton promoting mental health awareness and additions recovery.  I carry around my original inspirational canvas, my map and visit each café to share my stories and introduce my “A” blog ; Abandoned, Abducted, Abused, Addict, ADD, Arrested, and Arrived 49 places. 

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  On March 31st, I revealed the details of my tour at #CrumbunsBakeshopCafe with Thanh Campbell. I was ready to share myself, April 3rd, 2017 at 8:00am off I went with my inspirational canvas, my flyers, to take on a journey of self-love, healing, connecting and sharing. I was out to make a difference, I wanted other people to believe and inspire through my stories. 

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  The café tour includes #treeofstarsontour checking in on Facebook and Instagram to most businesses.  Photo blogging to help promote cafes and there services, new products, events, such as camp days and open mic nights, while on tour I would leave behind my flyer for people to reach out to me and support my journey.

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Tree of Stars Showcase

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  Upon my cafe tour I developed a showcase releasing my traumatic life story through the art of photography blogging held at Sealed Arts, Hamilton, ON.  I had three local musicians that I approached, One being a good friend of mine, talented singer / song writer, Holly Smith, I offered her my blog so she could create a song of my life story.  Check out the video below.