Forget-Me-Not
The temperature will be steadily climbing today, but we have our cold-water bottles easily accessible to keep us hydrated. We are walking our monthly loop from the Cornwall Civic Complex to the Cline House, where we will visit the latest art exhibit.
Although it is uncomfortably hot, the lure of spring blooms along the recreational path entices us onward. First, we are welcomed by the vibrant pink crabapple trees, then the delicate apple blossoms. The misunderstood dandelions, not to be outdone, dot the landscape with their cheerful golden hue. Nearby, a fisherman casts his line as a lone Mallard swims by. The scenes are canvases awaiting an artist’s brush.
When we reach the pedestrian bridge, we are surprised at the lack of turtles on the basking platforms below us, as they are commonly seen here on sunny days. Around the corner, the sweet chipping sound of a joyful yellow warbler gives us a reason to pause. We quickly locate the bright, tiny bird in the budding green foliage. A faint breeze wafts from the river, but we still seek the patches of shade on our path for brief respites from the harsh rays.
Past L’Héritage School, we experience the fruit of homeowners’ labour – beautiful backyard rock gardens flanking the trail with yellow and red tulips, hot-pink phlox, and deep-purple irises. The Kirkman Court residents have lovingly beautified the waterfront for everyone to enjoy. We leave the Riverside Trail to the aromatic scent of lilacs and turn onto Montreal Road to head to the Cline House at Amelia and Second Street East.
Air conditioning shocks our overheated bodies as we step into the gallery. A row of straight-back chairs facing a small flat-screen television draws my attention, and I gratefully collapse on one of them. My companions soon follow my lead. We slowly cool down while watching a recorded interview with the artist, Cynthia Van Frank, about today’s exhibit entitled “Lest We Forget- About My Mother.” The series of paintings expresses Cynthia’s journey as a caregiver to a loved one suffering from dementia. She poignantly portrays her mother’s life through simple objects which carry strong personal memories, a tangible link to a beloved parent: a slice of apple cake, an African Violet, a remote control with tape blocking all but the critical buttons, making the device simpler to operate. This last one, especially, resonates with me. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, within the next five years, nearly one million people in Canada alone will be diagnosed with dementia. My family has not been spared. An intense feeling of nostalgia sweeps over me as I reflect on how I might portray my loved one’s life in a similar way. For me, it would likely be a series of photographs, perhaps a bowl of scotch mints, a frosted beer mug, and a Rose Quesnel smoking tobacco tin overflowing with nails. Many other images flash through my mind as I delve into my past, some humorous, others bittersweet.
Restored by the venue’s coolness, we tour the gallery to study the paintings, which the Montreal-based artist describes as emotional realism. A recurring theme in many pieces involves yarn in its various forms, illustrating not only her mother’s love of knitting but also effectively symbolizing her gradual mental decline. Other paintings depicting items such as a hairbrush, a coffee cup, and human hands offer glimpses into the life of a woman I’ve never met. Individually, the pieces are snippets of recollections, but together, they tell the powerful story of a daughter’s love for her mother and of a deep sadness borne from a disease that greatly impacts relationships.
Feeling subdued after this thought-provoking exhibit, I step out into the heat once more. We choose a shortcut through Horovitz Park to return to our vehicles. Were I to summarize our outing by floral expression, I would do so with a bouquet of blue Forget-Me-Nots, fragile blooms that symbolize remembrance. It is thus not surprising that this aptly named flower is used as a symbol for Alzheimer’s. This combined walk and art outing leaves me with a clearer understanding of how nature and art can intertwine, transcending language, to convey meaningful perspectives.
For more information about the Cornwall Outdoor Club visit our website at www.cornwalloutdoorclub.ca or follow us on Facebook.
