Feature articles

Tottenham resident shares heart-warming story

July 12, 2017   ·   0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons

A Tottenham resident’s story is good enough to warm your soul.
A tale by Isolde Ryan is included in the new “Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of Canada” book.
Canada is known for warm people and cold winters, vibrant cities and wide open spaces, national pride combined with a cultural mosaic, and its humorous, yet hard-working citizens. And these days, Canada, a relatively young nation at age 150, is looking better than ever to the rest of the world. You’ll know why after you read the 101 stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of Canada, released June 6.
Ryan’s personal story in the Chicken Soup book is about an experience she had travelling with Canadians to northern Italy in the early 1980s.
“I chose this particular experience because I was so moved to witness the gratitude these people showed towards Canadians. We were told about the help that was sent to this little town by the Canadian government (since they were occupying a military base in Germany) after a devastating earthquake had buried part of there village. The Canadian forces were first to arrive and help with as relief and had supplies and manpower to find the missing They could not thank us enough, even though this particular group of Canadians were not part of the relief team. The small Italian community just want to give thanks anyway they could.”
Ryan said she wants readers to learn that people will see what a great country we have – we’re always there when people are in desperate or hopeless situation.
She noted she’s traveled to many countries in her life and has seen some of the most beautiful places on earth.
“I also have met a lot of people but I truly believe that Canada is the most beautiful and the most tolerant of them all. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in the world.”
Ryan is currently working on a novel about her uncle’s life. He grew up in Germany and was pulled into the war at age 15. He had become a airplane mechanic and at age 18 was part of the Blitzkrieg on England. He was shot down and survived only due to some local farmers who saved him. His long journey and adventures only just began at that point and “I wanted to tell his story so it won’t be forgotten.”
Ryan also creates large oil paintings and has always enjoyed creating art ever since she was a child.
“I love making things with my hands, from painting the house, to mortaring stone walls and restoring antique furniture, just to mention a few things. Creativity is a way of life for me. There are many different things I see in life that inspire me to write and be artistic.”
Chicken soup is often more about stories and cherished moments than the broth itself.
For some heart-warming tales, pick up a copy of the latest Chicken Soup for the Soul book.

Readers Comments (0)