From there I went on to sell residential real estate on the west side of Vancouver for about 10 years. Work in the field greatly appealed to my appreciation and Love of hearth and home. In 1991 I co-founded a recycling business specializing in new home construction waste recycling. As registered members of the ‘BC Recycling Hotline’ of the day, and having been awarded the “BC Hydro Fridge Buy Back Program” for the Gulf Islands, “The Recycler’s” literally recycled and re-directed tonnes of stuff from going in the land fill during the next 5 years.
Motivated by a soul connection with Native Medicine, I decided in 1996 to study natural medicine and herbalism and took a job at a health food store to compliment my studies. Before long, I was happily managing the store as I continued to expand my knowledge in the field.
Following the passings of my Beloved Mom and Dad 10 months apart in 2000, and after spending several months sorting through their home of 30 years and shared belongings of 47, I climbed into my old VW van with a friend and headed out on what may turn out to be the road trip of my life! Returning 11 months later, I had driven 26,000 miles ( my way of circumnavigating earth!) from Canada to Panama and back, flown to/from Panama to Peru where among many other special and magical places, I visited the very beautiful, mystical Machu Picchu and enjoyed the privilege of climbing and sitting at the summit of Huayna Picchu, literally 2 years to the day of my Father’s passing. And, I had traveled through every Central American country seeing very close and personal, vast numbers of children living in extreme poverty. I spent precious time at literally hundreds of Sacred Sites along the way, as well as in Mexico and the US. Beyond an amazing journey I am so grateful to have gone on, an entire book could probably be written about that incredible drive! ( … Lately, hmmm, I consider what another tremendous journey the road trip from Cairo to Cape Town might be, one day! )
In more recent years I have studied and received certification in various natural, alternative and Spiritual disciplines including Paq’o (Shaman) training in Incan/Andean Medicine, Usui Shiki Ryocho REIKI Level 1 and 2, Laying of Hands and Laying of Crystals training as well as Angel Healing Medicine. Prior to my first journey to Africa I was supporting myself by managing and supervising large (60, 120, 200 person ) remote camps in the wilderness providing catering and accommodation for bush workers in northern BC and Alberta.
While it is true for me to say, there have been times when I’ve felt quite perplexed about being here on planet earth because of the insensitivity one can encounter, throughout this life some very simple basics have remained constant and ever present for me. Before she passed in 2000, my very special Mother, June, made sure I would remember a story from my early years, to help me understand and always recognize these basics that inform my life, and help to hold clear my reason for being here.
She said I was 5. It was my first day of school. We were walking down the hallway on our way to the classroom, me and her, hand in hand. I was excited and happy! With 2 older brothers already in school it was finally my time to get on with putting all my well learned and very practiced letters and numbers to good use!
Mom and I saw a little girl crying, standing with her mother outside the classroom door. She was scared. Mom said, without hesitation I let go of her hand and walked over to the little girl. I took her hands in mine, I looked in her eyes. I comforted her. “You don’t have to cry,” I said, “we’re going to have lots of fun!” And with that, hands joined, my new friend and I turned and walked into the classroom together. Mom said the other mother, somewhat stunned, looked at her questioningly … to which Mom replied “That’s our Catherine”.
I didn’t remember the experience when Mom told me, but the feeling in it is one I have felt over and over through the years. I call it following my heart, I call it Love, and I was born knowing – it is all that life is really about!