August 1, 2024, Today is the sixth anniversary of my daughter’s death. To say that this event was a blow is an immense understatement. Her passing, at the age of thirty-four only two weeks after hospital admission was abrupt. She succumbed to an aggressive carcinoma that riddled her body, invading her liver, brain, bones and reproductive organs. The doctors were unable to comment beyond that because they had not determined the site of origin before her passing.
Debbie’s grief is still at the forefront of her consciousness while mine has settled somewhat; a fact revealed on this day because she was quicker to point out it’s significance to our daily routine. I was blissfully unaware until she reminded me.
Amber was a social activist and valued member of the Toronto Arts scene and a frequent contributor to art magazines there. She had performances in San Diego, Edmonton and Toronto. Initially, I tried to donate some of her photographs, early artworks and works from her private collection of up-and-coming artists to establish a memorial exhibit in art galleries in Toronto, Barrie and her hometown in Burlington where she spent her formative years. In each case, my offer was turned away citing a lack of space for storage and/or display or a lack of funding to improve that situation.
Disappointed, I cast about for an idea, which finally presented when I conceived of a grief narrative in her name. Before the end of the calander year 2024, my second publication, Essence Of Amber: Navigating Cancer Through the Lens of a Father’s Love and Life Lessons will be available for readers.
The book consists of my reminiscences of her, from infancy to death, selected postings of peers and coworkers from her Memorial Facebook Page, and a selection of photos from among my and Amber’s portfolios. A photographic journal of her home, collections and examples of her body of work are represented. There are also selected links to her contributions to art magazines that exist online.
Essence of Amber addresses social issues that face all Gen X and Millennials and the causes that Amber supported (paid internships). The issues discussed foreshadow the worsening conditions emergent post-pandendemic, including the housing crisis, student debt, gig economy, weaknesses in the Canadian medical system, return to nest syndrome and isolation and depression issues.
I hope that this book is successful in it’s attempt to show a short but well lived life. Amber was loved, not just as a daughter, but as a friend and colleague, evidenced by the many uplifting quotes from her FB page. More details about the book will be forthcoming closer to the date of publication.
Essence of Amber