"THE POND SQUAD!!"
Clearwater Ponds is a division of Sungreen Landscape Inc.
2011 All Rights Reserved -
All pictures are property of Clearwater Ponds
1-866-270-POND
"Debbie's Story"
My sister Jean loved gardening and nature, and she loved my pond. After she was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer last year, she would visit as often as possible. I treasured the times I watched her pain and tension disappear as she sat pondering.
In July, Jean and I toured the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice together. She was nervous at first, but like all those times we sat looking over the pond, her anxiety melted away as she took in the beauty of the home and the smiling compassion of the staff. She was so impressed with the gardens and particularly fond of the pond and waterfall. Within minutes Jean decided to spend her final weeks there.
Jean’s condition improved for a time due to the world class palliative care she received. Pain management was never an issue. Her beautiful private room and garden view was a constant delight to her. She was nurtured and indulged. But Jean was very concerned about her family, and it was very important to her that we were cared for as well. The hospice not only cares for the resident as a whole, they care for the whole family too. Jean’s biggest struggle was that she could not eat –at all. But she was proud that she could tell us “go have some soup, it’s cream of broccoli today” or “get some cakes from the kitchen” – she felt at home, because she could offer food to her family as she would have in her own home. We were all nurtured by the Hospice, not just nutritionally, but emotionally and spiritually as well. The support system was amazing.
Jean often talked about one more visit to my place so that she could “Sit by the pond”, but regrettably she never felt up to it. Instead, many times during those final weeks I sat pondside talking to her on the phone, describing which birds had visited that day, talking about the koi and the water plants, holding out the phone so she could hear the croaking frogs and trilling cicadas. I will never forget all those precious moments.
While under the wings of the Hospice, our family received exceptional medical, emotional and spiritual care at no charge. Jean passed on nurtured, painless and at peace. Our family emerged nurtured and whole. We were blessed to have the best support available.
Our experience as a family made me want to give back to the Hospice. Jean’s fancy for the pond gave me the vision of this project. She would have loved this tour. She would have bought tickets in a heartbeat. She would have toured both days, reveling in the tranquility and imagery and sensory stimulation of every pond she could get to.
The Hospice is partly government funded but mostly dependent upon fundraising. I encourage you to make an investment in the future of this community treasure by supporting the Hospice. I truly hope to meet you pondside on July 9-10. Debbie Sperling.
This is Clearwater Ponds annual charity event that we have become so proud of! This years event will be even more incredible than the last. This year we are focusing on "It's About the Memories", as we know so many of you have incredible, heartwarming stories pondside! We welcome you to read a few life experiences on the website: www.pondtourforthehospice.com, and then come on the tour and see how special these people are and how spectacular their properties are.
We welcome you on this self guided journey, get your feet wet, and make some memories of your own. After all in life "It's About the Memories!
We will be hosting this tour again for 2012 Mark the date! June 23rd and 24th, 2012
Tickets On Sale Soon!
Tickets
$15.00each for online purchases
$20.00 each for printed map book
(the complete donation is going to the hospices) -children 12 and under are free
Tickets are the Passport guide books. Clearwater Ponds will be selling them also. Please fill out the form below
Tickets Available At:
To Be determined
Location:
There are going to be a number of ponds on the tour in various locations all around the Greater Horseshoe area.
Saturday June 23rd will focus on features in the Grimsby, Hamilton, Ancaster and Dundas areas. Sunday June 24th will showcase properties from Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga and Georgetown.
Questions:
If you have any questions please call Melanie at
1-866-270-POND or email me at info@thepondsquad.com
