PETER VERIGIN TRIBUTE
(Deceased August30, 2014)

Peter Verigin comes from a special fraternity nicknamed: “The Fabulous Fourteen”. With great pride, I too, have membership in the group of first cousins born to brothers Bill, John, Sam and sisters Polly and Anne, all children of Vasyl and Auxuta Verigin.

Interestingly enough, the original family started out living communally on the original homestead, five miles North of Veregin. Peter played with his cousins Mildred, Mike, Lawrence, Russel until the decision was reached that Bill, John and Sam would leave the homestead to George, Alex and Anne and raise their families on their own.

That original kinship continued over the years with the fourteen cousins so that everyone considered themselves as brothers and sisters rather than cousins. We have now lost five (5) of this group.

So some stories that I recall about Peter include:
1. Tolstoi School was the educational hub of many of these cousins with an unbeatable school softball team. Some of these alumini are present here and can attest to how formidable this team was at all the school track meets including the Regional Meet at Kamsack. Peter was the Catcher and Sam the Pitcher they became able to predict what each were going to do. With the support of teacher MacLaughlin, they perfected skills that were unusual in a rural community
2. Peter and cousin Sam carried on their compatibility to cooking and realized that butter must be used in a pan when frying potatoes after inundating the kitchen with smoke
And so years went by and families grew along with the maturing of friendships beyond the blood relationship. I would classify my personal kinship with Peter was to total love which extended to my wife Marilyn and then to all my children who became attached to all Peter and Evelyn’s offspring. This continues to this day.

Peter also had total confidence in his sons that was demonstrated a few years ago when I had asked Jason Morozoff if I could meditate in his White Sand River Retreat. Jason was not so sure about his uncle’s ability to challenge the Beavers, Bear, Ticks and Mosquitoes and had taken the precaution to ask David and Tim to keep an eye on me.

I was leaving one day and decided to clean up. Cleaning up meant emptying the spent ashes from the stove and barb-b-q. Being an Environmentalist of sorts I decided that dumping in the river was not as good an idea as spreading them in the ravine across the road as fire remains assist plant growth. This followed by a trip into Veregin to the Drop-in Centre to join Peter and his friends and learn all about Philosophy and the History of Veregin.

On my way back I saw smoke and realized that there may have been embers that were encouraged by the wind to burn the dead grass that was below the spring grass. I called Peter for help and got Tim. David followed sometime later by Peter on his van. Peter never even got out of the van after seeing that his sons were in control of the situation and just proceeded to return home.

Now that was confidence!

That was definitely confirmed when David causally remarked after the fire was out and we were dousing the flames inside us with a beer “so what will you do for excitement this afternoon?”

Yes there will always be pleasant memories that will be recalled.

Cousin Elmer

A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE WRITER’S STRUGGLE WITH STRESS AND DEPRESSION

It may not be a surprise to the Reader, that I am a normal human being that is just as challenged with Stress and Depression as many others that may even include you.

So I have been searching for positive solutions to me dilemma and I noticed this book advertised by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA, entitled “STRESS-FREE Living”.
Marilyn and I had been to the Mayo Clinic several years back and so we were on the Mayo Clinic email list that kept us abreast of what was available and updates on various treatments for the many maladies that can affect us humans.

We ordered the book and after reading it, I am recommending the reading to Marilyn and whoever else may struggle with this type of problem in their life.

I will make some quotations which I am doing for my personal use as quick reference to get me on track again. If you find it useful, feel free to contact the Mayo Clinic directly or request more information from me. I really feel much greatly enlightened after a three week journey with Dr Amit Sood, MD., MSc. and his bevy of professionals that assisted him in preparation of this book.
All quotations will be in italics:

Preface xiii “……..Stress is the struggle with what is. A mind that doesn’t have what it wants or doesn’t want what it has experiences stress. Saddled with hundreds of
“open files” in the mind, we spend half our day physically here but mentally elsewhere. We get so caught up weeding the yard that we completely miss the tulips that nature gives us for precious weeks. We postpone joy………….”

Page 63 “…….A 7-Point Program for Increasing Energy
1. Eat healthy, nourishing food
2. Sleep seven to eight hours a day
3. Keep company with good people
4. Avoid news overdose
5. Follow an exercise routine
6. Do something meaningful each day
7. Think good thoughts for others
Each of these steps, individually and together, will increase your energy…….”

Page 70 “…….Every day, serve yourself some fresh air, brewed moments ago by the trees that surround you……”

Page 81 “…..When you see someone, before any thought or judgement wells up, remember that there’s a 50 percent chance that the person is in the default mode at that moment, likely tackling some person struggle. With this understanding, as a first reflex, align your heart and eye, and send a silent intention: I wish you well. Remember CALF:
• Compassion is the understanding that everyone is fighting some battle
• Acceptance delays negative judgement, giving others room to breathe and permission to be different
• Love helps you picture others in the circle of people who love them; you can place yourself ion that circle to the extent you feel comfortable
• Forgiveness guides you to move beyond the minor inconvenience others may have caused you
Kind attention is a two-way flow of energy…………”

page 83 “…..Kindness gifted is Kindness received….”

Page 84 “….Kindness is infectious….”

Page 101 “……Gratitude is an outer expression of inner humility….”

Page 117 “…..Use gratitude to harness your hurts
Think about a painful event in your life. Then ask yourself these questions:
• Did this experience help me grow?
• Did it prevent something worse?
• Can I be grateful that the pain came to me and not my kids?
• Am I a better or kinder person because of experiencing adversity?
• Can I be grateful that I had the resources to deal with it?
• Am I connected to some people because of this?
We often confuse good and pleasant. Not , not everything pleasant is good. Likewise not everything unpleasant is bad. Find meaning in the unpleasant and be grateful for that meaning. You can learn important lessons from the hurts you experience………”

Page 131 “…….Anger treated with anger is a moment to forget; anger treated with compassion is a moment of progress……..”

Page 141 “……When you perceive a threat, ask yourself if your fear stems from inner security or outer reality. Is this fear a holdover from childhold? One way to decrease threat perceptions is to use your kind attention training. Silently wish others well or offer a two-second prayer for them. With time, kind attention will change the tint of the lenses through which you view the world…..”

Page 157 “…..Part of your unhappiness comes from living in an imperfect world. But the greater part comes from the desire to control and change others and the frustration at your inability to do so. The more you try to change people, the greater your assault on their egos and the more stubborn they’ll become. The one person who (might) listen to you and be willing to change is you. Trying to change others is an insurmountable task, like trying to paint a moving cloud; the paint won’t stick.
The key to changing people is with them, not you. Only they can change, once they are willing. They will be more willing if they feel good about themselves. They’ll also listen if they perceive your unconditional warmth. How can you enhance self-esteem and some your warmth? Accept them as they are…….”

Page 211 “……All these statements describing forgiveness are true:
• Forgiveness is your gift to others
• Forgiveness is your choice
• The forgiven are often undeserving of your kindness
• In forgiving, you don’t intend to forget the wrong
• In forgiving, you don’t intend to deny the wrong
• In forgiving, you don’t justify the wrong
• Your forgiveness doesn’t allow people to get away with or repeat the misconduct
• You can stop the process of forgiveness if you become uncomfortable with it……..”

Page 217 “…….Don’t let a moment of anger destroy a lifetime of love…..”

page 247 “…..Waiting for others to send you positive energy will put you at the end of a very long line……….”

Page 251 “……Let go the satisfaction of being proved right if being right risks losing a loving relationship….”

Page 263 “……Research also shows the benefit of relaxation programs—–particularly meditation—-for improving symptoms of many health conditions including:
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Chronic pain
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia
• Heart Disease
• Insomnia
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Psoriasis
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Tension headaches
Meditation has also shown to improve memory and concentration, adherence to exercise programs, weight loss, risk of falls, and musical performances. Some astronauts, golfers, swimmers and athletes practice meditation and other relaxation programs have now become part of ordinary life……”

Page 282 “…….Your mind can be your prison or your wings. When you spend your days quenching its satiable thirst in its wandering default mode, your mind becomes your prison. The alternative is to suffuse your mind to the highest principles so it contemplates the divine. The mind then becomes your wings and takes you higher than you could have thought………..”

I want to thank Dr Amit Sood and all those who assisted him in the preparation of this book. You have provided me with the tools to live the rest of my live in a much better way as I will exercise using these tools to advance my perspective on all that is around me in a much better light.

Elmer Verigin
Written October 27, 2014

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE WITH KEN HOOD
(Deceased September 30, 2014)
We take for granted that the Sun is a constant. We accept that it will rise in the morning and set in the evening at times that vary with the seasons. We always look forward to a beautiful day but accept that we may have clouds, storms, warmth and cold that ‘s not cyclic but follows influences that we have yet to thoroughly understand.
So it is when a new soul comes to Earth. We welcome that soul and our expectations are that it will be harbored within a body that will enjoy good health, character and live in peace with itself, firstly, and secondly with all living beings that encountered during its life here on Earth.
All that I have just said is what we accept as common place.
Like the seasons and their effect on how the day will be, it is so with people. That is why it is so interesting to be alive so that we can experience the differences in each other. Nobody is exactly the same as the other.
Marilyn and I noticed that difference in Ken and Elaine when they first came to build their bungalow at Grandview. There was this genuine aura that we soon became accustomed to and enjoy for all the time they lived across the street as our neighbors.
I had the good fortune to act as a Project Manager for Grandview and reported to Ken as President representing the Board of Directors.
I soon learned that Ken believed in the supreme dignity of mankind. Like the Sun which is always above the clouds, Ken knew that within every person there is goodness no matter how much it was disguised by negativity. No matter how much stress was imparted by a member directed at the organization or the directorship, Ken never reacted in a negative fashion but patiently dealt to dissipate the situation into the best possible solution.
Ken reminded me of my years in the Rotary Club where the universal ideals and mottoes go something like this:
• “We come to this world and rent a space. Let us check periodically if our rent is paid”
• “Service above self”
• “One profits most who serves best”
• “The 4 Way Test:
o Is it the Truth?
o Is it fair to all concerned?
o Will it build Goodwill and better Fellowships?
o Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”
The above reasons are why I was a Rotarian for over continuous 35 years.
When I think of Ken Hood, I see all of those objectives that Rotary has was entirely the way he lived his life as a Christian. I say all this without any reservation, that if Ken had chosen, he would have made a model Rotarian.
Ken did not have to join Rotary because he already knew all that I had said and was an example in his community that will be a hard act to follow.
Ken knew he had a difficult challenge with Cancer and would soon start treatments. He was advised he must conserve his physical and mental strength to assist in recovery. After a brief discussion with him one day, he then excused himself as he had to go to Robson. Later in discussion, I asked him what he was doing n Robson and this was the exchange:
“there were some trenches at the church that needed backfilling that were left open far too long so I decided that I better do that now”
” were you not advised that is exactly what you must not do by your Doctor?”, I was surprised.
“Yes that is true”, he slowly responded “but I could not be settled knowing that that job was left undone”
There were times that some Coop members were very frustrated with the challenges that the Cooperative was facing and would speak out negatively. Ken would not hesitate to meet these people one on one and rationalize with them. He believed that everyone had a right to an opinion but needed to know the facts. This is the type of respect that Ken earned and never needed to command as President.
Ken never stopped his volunteering and at Grandview participated on the Strata Council, the Garden Club and attended most of the Committee Meetings as an ex-officio member.
At another time, my position as Project Manager was being challenged by a member because he was not satisfied with the way nature was reinstating itself over the right of way used by the Cooperative through his property and demanded action right away. It was difficult in a circumstances like this to organize a volunteer group of members to do raking and seeding. Ken just said to me, I will help you and there we were with rakes and shovels trying to pacify a member that had taken his complaint to an unreasonable level.
Then there was the lighter side of Ken as I noted him walking around at Grandview with a large back pack for days on end. So I asked him what was going on. He explained that every year his family gets together and goes out to nature in the rugged East Kootenays.
“I am just preparing my body for the hiking that we are going to do.” Then the truck would be loaded to the top of the racks and off they would go.
“I thought maybe you were going to a boot camps” I quipped.
“No, just love with my family” he smiled.
I chatted with Ken a few weeks ago and asked him how he was. His answer was very profound “I am still alive and in the hands of God.”
There was no complaint of pain nor his suffering but a calm resolve of acceptance of Gods Will..
If I have suggested to you that Ken was of an exceptional character and individualality than I have achieved my objective of expressing my deepest respect for my neighbor Ken Hood.
Elmer Verigin, October 11, 2014