Leaving on a high note

The week leading up to my departure was overwhelming to say the least. Yes, it's because of packing and taking care of all the nit picky things but more because of the support and well wishes from people. The final yard sale brought people who wanted to give me a donation or barter some items they thought I would need. I received a small library of books, a bbq and various survival related things. Some people wanted to trade for my art and others took items from my yard sale. The bartering thing seems to be working already!

Mid-way through the day a gentleman arrived with an envelope, handed it to me and told me not to open it. We talked for a bit about travel and then he wished me good luck and safe travels. He refrained from telling me who he was, stating, "that's not important". After he left I opened the envelope and inside was a vintage postcard and a large sum of money. I wept. It's not so much about the money as the gesture. Here is a complete stranger who felt compelled to contribute to my travels.

To me this is a fairly selfish act I am pursuing. Since going public with my plans the support from total strangers has blown me away. So, what is making them take an interest? Here are two of my favorite emails/comments;


I loved your piece "Realizing my Dream". It is never too late to realize life long dreams. You are living my dreams, proving to me, it can be done. I am 63 and all my life have pursued my art, all the while dealing with life...for me that has been children(5 of them), divorce and years of supporting myself and struggling to survive with day jobs. Some day I am going to jump on my hippie bus and set out to follow that voice that first spoke to me 57 years ago and told me I was going to be an artist. Who would we be if we didn't follow our dreams! You go girl..((HUGS) 


Hi Angela, I saw your spot on CTV news. I am 50 years old from Halifax NS. I am a self taught Artist. I have worked all my life as it is very hard to survive on art as a living. Just this year I gave up my art because of a accident in the military in 2004. I just could not do it any more. The only thing I do now is sewing and Digitizing embroidery designs, and that is limited as well. I am very proud of you for taking the initiative to just drop everything and search for your purpose as an artist. I wish you the best in your adventure and hope you learn some valuable life lessons along the way. I will send some prayers your way and hope you keep in touch. I would love to know how you are doing and just be someone to talk with as you embark on this adventure. This is something I wanted to do as a young adult, but life got in the way of my dream. so if you don’t mind I really would love to keep in touch and  be your friend on the road and take this adventure with you. This way I could feel like I finally took a chance , even though I will contact you through email. Thanks for your time and hope to hear from you. You seem like an  honest person and hope that is true and if you need a kind word on the road from a friend , I can be that friend. Best of luck and have a Safe and happy trip. hope to hear about your adventures, and drop me a post card with a little sketch...Cheers 

 It's letters like these that will keep my going on the more challenging days. It means a great deal to me to know people are out there rooting for me. I expressed to a friend how amazed I am by how everything is falling into place. He said to me it's because I am finally doing what I am meant to do. That the energy I am creating around me by following my dreams is bringing everything together. I like to think this is true. That if you follow your "true path" then things will align for you. So far this is proving to be true for me. I hope people are inspired to follow their dreams no matter how silly or outlandish they sound. It's never too late.