The Red Tractor

Angie Stewart-Trudeau

As I walked through one of the chemo treatment areas, I was stopped in my tracks by a new painting hanging on the wall. You see, the art is placed in each individual patient area to provide a bit of respite from their reality of cancer. However, this particular day, it did just the same for me!

(Image by Canadian Art Prints)

I grew up in rural Ontario, with my grandparents dairy farm directly across the road from my house. That farm was my haven, a place to explore, get dirty and always be welcomed with a warm hug, a push on the tire swing and something yummy just baked by grandma's hands.

As I gazed at the picture of this farmhouse, I could smell the lilacs and hear my little brothers sqeals as he rode his bike around the dirt yard. The red tractor parked for the day as grandpa went in for a hearty lunch.

This picture still hangs in 6B, and it remains my respite at work...the smell of the lilacs makes me smile and transports me to a simpler time, giving me what I need to carry out the rest of my day.

Thank you for what you give to us all.

Angie Stewart-Trudeau is a healthcare professional for the Calgary Health Region