Category — Seeking Eve

Hello friend. I have some exciting news. I am writing a book.

photo: Christina Crook, 2006

I got the idea back in the fall of ’06. I was sitting in a cafe just off Rideau in Ottawa journaling when it came to me.

Here’s the crux of it: I am profiling 50 young women from across Canada who are living out their faith in dynamic and innovative ways – and telling their stories visually (collage/quotes/polaroids) to a secular audience. Big undertaking. Very exciting.

I began interviewing women last spring and completed another interview on Saturday.

The idea is this: We are all inspired by people. People living their dreams, no matter how big or small. And these people are all around us: beautiful people who are daring to live the life they’ve dreamed of. Moms who make clothes as their babies nap. Painters who have tossed out their commercial brushes to create on canvas. Emmy-award winning journalists who got their start in Tsawwassen. We are in their company. If we only had eyes to see.

So at the start of April I will pack my bags (my paint brushes, magazines, journals and laptop) and move to Bowen Island for a month to write.

Please pray for me as I start. For the inspiration. The connections I need. For the right stories to share…

And most of all I would like to ask you to please send me your recommendations.

Who are the women you know, in Canada, who inspire you? They could be known my thousands or tucked away in a northern hut. Please tell me their stories – I want to know about them! E-mail me at christina.m.crook{at}gmail.com and please spread the word far and wide.

In the next few months I will begin a blog dedicated to these stories… called: “In the Company of Beautiful People.”

You are one of those beautiful and amazing people! Thanks for reading and for sharing. I can’t wait to hear from you.

My mother is accomplished, to say the least. She is another person I’d like to introduce you to.

Not only is she the mother of four, a wife, and a business owner. She is a tireless advocate of the arts, publishes a province-wide guide to the arts, culture and heritage of British Columbia, is an active member of numerous arts and tourism organizations, founded the BC Cultural Crawl and sits on the board of the inimitable Vancouver Club.

Tonight I have the honour of attending the Tourism Industry Awards with my hero: my mom. Her legacy project: the BC Cultural Crawl, has been nominated for Best Tourism Marketing Campaign. (I was able to help write the proposal which won her the nomination.)

So tonight I will sit amongst BC’s arts and cultural leaders, clap wildly as my mom’s speech comes to a close, and join with and the rest of BC as we celebrate my mom.

Current mood: proud