So last time I posted it was about how I was going to engineer parenting during a pandemic and coming out sane on the other end. Now I am writing a post about coming out grateful on the other end.

Of course, I am so grateful that I live in Canada with a liberal government at the helm, that includes social and economical services. Also that my family (even though stir crazy) is healthy, eating well, and we have a roof over our heads with a warm bed at night. I am grateful that the dedicated health care workers the world over are there to lead us out of the darkness of COVID-19, and also grateful for all the emergency response teams, and essential workers who are there to keep the world moving forward while the rest of us are at a standstill.

What I am talking about today is being grateful for the opportunity we are being given. The opportunity (once we figured out a workable daily structure) to decide what was most important, what was the most essential to our daily work. What was essential to me as a person, mom, healer and artist. Being these things, I answered this by asking myself the essential question of how do I serve? 

When I create I heal myself and offer others the opportunity to heal. When I teach I offer myself and others the chance to learn, and when I create something joyful it raises my mood and creates an opportunity for others to be uplifted as well.

This is why I have created a YouTube channel called Kelly’s Reading Corner, dedicated to the picture books I love that may bring joy and sometimes emotional support and guidance to kids in these challenging times. Picture books are perfect vehicles for family discussions, as well as a little free entertainment. As I love the heck out of them, own a ton of them, and am reading constantly, I figured what better way to serve more kids than my own?

Every Friday I will be uploading a new video featuring me reading a picture book and occasionally featuring The Ginger Gent and his skills with props and set design. I have three stories uploaded now, with the first being “The Book With No Pictures” by B.J. Novak. There is also “The Paper Bag Princess” by Robert Munsch, and a song as well as a story with “There Once Was a Puffin” by Florence Page Jaques. Please join us for a bit of fun.

I was inspired by the celebrity movement #savewithstories to read picture books and ask for donations for the American organization No Kid Hungry.

I am asking for donations for Canadian Feed The Children to get Canadian kids fed.

For the adults who want a little me time with a laugh, look up my podcast and download the Second Season of Fashioning Families which has just been released. For more info on my projects go to my website Brave.Creative.Me.

Take care of yourself and each other and hoping to see you on Kelly’s Reading Corner!

 

About the Author

Kelly Wilk is a freelance writer and single mom to red-headed, Irish, Aries boy who is growing up way too fast. Follow their adventures on PinkPlayMags' parenting blog "The Ginger Gent" , and also on Kelly's own website and blog, Brave. Creative. Me at www.kellywilk.ca