MEMORIAL BENCHES 

1.      Visit a park, choose a bench, explain your choice, and describe your bench.

Nature is the symbol of tranquility. Nature is the sheer place to represents peace and pureness. Vancouver is surrounded by beautiful forests. The whole city is dressing with the scenic nature.  Each neighborhood here has created by local specifics parks. Vancouver is a real example of heaven for me. Each year, science adds more proof that spending time in nature can produce tremendous benefits. Connection with nature improves my emotional and physical health. From the first day that I came to Canada, walking around parks and sitting on the benches was one of my hobbies. After a while I have considered that all the benches around the city has a name on it with a memorial sentence. Each bench in the town was full of memories which is nice since you can feel lots of emotions of it. To be honest, I can say that I loved it! Few months passed and many things took place in my life. Memories have been made overtime.  The city was not a foreign one anymore. I found my friends and create my friendship. The memories make the city for me “home”. When it comes to memories and nature, I have a good one for my self. My home located in front of Victoria park. Victoria park is one of the most beautiful ones ever. I cannot be tired of looking at it. At the heart of Victoria park there is a symbol of War Soldiers memorial which is supreme since reminds me peace and respects. Although there are thousands of parks and benches around the city, there is just one bench which has particularly means a lot to me. Names on benches implies love and care, but my bench is different. There are lots of regular benches in Victoria park with a specific name, while there is only one exist of my bench. My bench has two side and a table between it denoting that it has place for 6 persons, the number that has needed for me. I have a group of friends which we really life each other. We are more like family rather than friends. Every weekend, everyday or anytime we miss or need each other there is a bench waiting for us in heart of Victoria park. If these woods could speak, they would likely have lot memories to say. Yesterday, I decided to seat on my bench and think about my assignment. I felt happy due to the fact that between all this benches I had a favorite spot to write about. I set lonely on my bench and watch the red sunset in the sky. The ground filled with red and orange leaves. This bench has seen blooms, green trees, red leaves, rainy days, snow etc. while I was sitting there, I noticed that how many people have memories on this bench considering that I was one them. I closed my eyes, my memories passed from eyes as a movie. I heard the voice of my laughs, our plays on this bench, I saw my family around it , my mother which I miss her so much, my first emotions when I fell In love on this bench and lots of more memories that flying over this park. The significant point is this bench does not have a name on it maybe it should be mine!

2.    From the bench, describe what you see, what you feel, what you think, what you want. 

I assume that from the bench’s eyes the world would be unbelievably beautiful and simple. It sees months passing after months, the nature seasonal changes, it meets the people who might only pass every day from the park and doesn’t notice about benches and park because daily life has involved many thoughts which prevent individuals from taking notice to surroundings,  also neighbors passing more than others but they are not eternal anyway, old people with their white hairs and with canes who came for walking , dogs, children playing with their friends loudly , youngers dating with someone and hanging out with their friends etc. sound of laughing ,crying all of these make the timelines in the life. But in my point of view the world is different. While At the moment I am seating here, the wind blows softly and touches my skin gently. Leaves have been covered the whole ground; they are dancing with all the wind movements. Its almost getting dark here. The most beautiful part is downtown view. The whole city is blinking in the light. Downtown could be seen at the end of the street over the water. The symbol of war soldier’s memorial is in the center of the park. every time I look at this minaret, I can see many soldiers faces fighting for our freedom, it reminds me that the whole peace and freedom which we have in our country and our society  had been gained by people who lost their lives and fight in middle of hell which is called war. I am sitting on my bench, this whole beautiful nature and human technology mixed that makes it dreamy. From my childhood, I fancied having a favorite spot would be so romantic. I shared my favorite spot with my group, sometimes we hanged out there, also I spend many times with family there Having picnics and playing games. But these all memories took place and passed. I felt that I want them back, I want to having a simple dinner with my family there again, playing cards with my friends, doing some parties in the park again as same as old days ,but they may not happen again anymore. Opportunities in our life come and go as a cloud, meaning that all moments in our life is valuable and they wont repeated. I need to assert that, the first and certainly the most noticeable of having an amazing life is living in the moment meaning that you would never feel regret in future, which is great since nowadays many individuals suffer from the loss days and moments in the past. Throughout my life, I have been always endeavoring to improve myself via doing my best in every moment of my life. In line with this, there always a choice between having fun or following your goals. what I need to highlight is that following goals would bring us much more benefits and advantages on the
condition that we seek them professionally. When I was a child, I fancied having a special spot for myself. And this will be my honor that I have one already. I have already told you that this bench has lots of meaning for me. By having a brief glance over all I mentioned, you could conclude that the most significant meaning of my bench is friendship because it is a symbol for my group’s friendship. Moreover, this park it gives me peace, tranquility and safety. I can let free my soul here and gain calmness that I need for my serenity. That is the reason why I really love my bench.

 

 

3.  If a bench were dedicated to you, where would you like the bench, and what would you like the inscription plate to say?

 

 

In the current era, mankind has been always endeavoring to improve themselves and make their soulmates happy through doing numerous things. In line with this, being in real love and care about someone extremely brings you many romantic ideas to makes your love happy. Feelings can motivate humans and affects on their behaviors which sounds good since humanity created by loving and being loved, considering that there are numerous ways which folks can make their loves happy through them. What I need to assert is that doing something unique and romantic represents that how much respects and love you give them. Love is all about attention. From the moment I saw the benches around the city and noticed about their inscription plate, I felt that it really is a unique gift to receive from or give to someone. Imagine that you are walking around a park and suddenly you will get surprise with a special gift; A bench that belongs to you. Your name is shining between its plate and a memorial sentence that had been said for you and each word of it makes the bench alive to you. This is will be one of unforgettable gifts for ever. I need to highlight that this gifts should not always considers for you “love” such as your fiancé meaning that love could be your mother, father or anyone that gives you this feeling of respects and adoring in your life. Loving memories never die, as years roll on and days pass by. A Memorial Bench is a special and thoughtful way to remember a loved one, standing as a reminder of their life for many years to come. It would be my honor to have something like this. When you have memorial bench, it is more like that you share your love and positive vibes to others. My feelings could be simply share via memorial bench with individuals who may fell in love there or create their specific story for themselves. Vancouver is a beautiful city which has lots of picturesque places. I like many places for seating, relaxing and enjoying the view. The most adorable spots which I love so much Is deep cove, North Vancouver. When you go to the deep cove parks, with the view of sea and white little boats and the forests which surrounded the area makes the view as perfect as pictures. The deep cove view is breath taking. If I could have a memorial bench, I prefer to have it in places as quiet as Deep Cove, due to it just the natural tranquility which makes real love. Also, the inscription plate plays a significant role in there. The person who dedicated the bench to me it matters, which means there are many differences between my soulmate and my family; consequently , I just want to see a positive sentences and a little bit love on my bench. When the people looking at it, it should make a smile on their faces. For example: who are you reading this sentence remember that you are powerful and adorable and there is a person in a corner of the world who loves you so much. Smile and live the life. I live my love because my love is my life. To the moon and back. My dear Nia.

 4.      If you dedicated a bench, where would you like the bench, and what would the inscription say?

The idea of dedicating a bench is a classic romantic work to do implying that there should be lots of feelings behind it. When there is such a strong feeling exist between two persons the waves of our oceans heart infiltrates into all our entity. Love makes the life perfect. Love is created by passing the time and memories. When I want to dedicate a bench to a person who I care about , I rather to choose a place which we had a specific memories there which by passing of our spot large amount of memories get alive. Word could be forgotten but memories will always be remembering; consequently, find a particular spot makes it perfect. If I want to dedicate a bench for my friends, I will choose Victoria park. My friendships spot is Victoria park. we are five persons in our group, and it is enough for us texting each other, “see you at spot”. Writing an inscription is the hardest part of the journey. I need to highlight that; Words affects humans which means words can control emotions effects in both positive and negative ways. In addition to, for my inscription word I like to write a sentence that makes everyone happy and impacts positively to reader; also, this bench belongs to me and it must be varies from others. Life only comes around once, so do whatever make you happy and be with whoever makes your heart smile. I love you more with every heartbeat. Next stop the top.

1.     5. Write a journal response about your trip to the park.

 I was getting ready to go out. I combed my hair softly then looked at myself into the mirror. The sunlight danced sparkly on my cheeks.  I felt nervous because I had not seen my friends for a month. Corona virus quarantine separated us. I missed them so much, I missed our spot. I went out and my journey began. Going to a park is always something I have enjoyed. I experienced the hot days in summer or rainy days in fall. I need to underline that, because the reason that most people in same area know each other, there is always possibilities to see familiar faces in the street. My house is close to park.  I passed the street, then I stood in front of Victoria park. Blooms were covered the ground; the trees were green, and flowers were in diverse colors. I could hear the voice of my heartbeat. There was something special about Victoria park that I always feel it, it gave me the sense of tranquility and positive emotions. It somehow fresh my soul and gives me a nature energy which is great since you feel born again. The statues for soldiers in heart of the park is the symbol of power and hope for me. I murmured with myself I love this park. then I walk to my favorite bench and my cute friends with a big smile on my face. 

 6.      Choose a poem that suits your bench and explain your choice. Include a copy of the poem.

 Park Street’s Purpose

Now I am thinking I never grew up

For parks are the places I play --

I am thinking my measuring cup

Relies on that fact still today!

 

Park Street was the end of the line

The edge of the town for sure –

Palmettoes & pines, Spanish moss and the vines

With park-like remoteness allure!

 

Across the way, my trail to the bay

Where seagulls and dolphins grew too

And I was the queen of that natural scene

Everyday with the sunshine and blue!

 

When school came between, I learned how to dream

‘bout the job I would work at one day -

To work in a park from sunrise to dark

And appreciate nature that way.

 

I have lived out that quest, worked at the best

And now that I am old, I’m well-hooked

My Park Street of youth shared natural truth

Now I am thinking my goose has been cooked.

© 2016 Joy A. Burki-Watson

 

As It was discussed earlier, having favorite spot and creating special memories could bring us numerous advantages as long as the conditions are set. Memories created by us are the most valuable things that gives our life meanings. When individuals grow up with a certain places and things which they used to go or do, it will be harder for them to let their old things all go suddenly. While I am sitting on my bench, I cannot believe that pace of life can change many things without asking us anything. The poem also said:” Now I am thinking I never grew up, for parks are the places I play --, I am thinking my measuring cup, Relies on that fact still today!” when it comes to favorite things, most people have something to say because we all have our things for ourselves and that let us grow up and learn about the life. The streets and nature that mentioned in the poem reminds my bench in Victoria park which I had my memories around it. 

 7. Explain how your poem connects to your personal philosophy of life? 

This poem reflects my personal philosophy of life in numerous ways. The poem represents that individuals have been always involving in the middle of life’s circle.  Throughout the human history, mankind has been always endeavoring to improve themselves and enhance their skills via studying diverse subjects. In line with this, there is always a choice between studying and working hard or enjoying the moments? What I need to assert is that, following dreams bring us much more benefits and advantages. On the other hand, many people arguing that when we got old, we might lose many opportunities of living which is wrong since we follow our dreams in a right way there is no regrets after that. “Now I am thinking my goose has been cooked.” On the other hand, as poem mentioned” When school came between, I learned how to dream, ‘bout the job I would work at one day ,To work in a park from sunrise to dark, And appreciate nature that way.”, illustrates that we have to follow our dreams and makes them real, because it is the way that should we go no matter what its hard or not. The question is if you could born again will you change your way or doing the same things as your present ?

 8.      What is a purpose of a park? what are your thoughts about parks?

Nature is the purest symbol of tranquility. I presume that, the purpose of parks is that humans and nature can interact. Individuals need to feeling nature for their physical and emotional health. People can achieve this peace and tranquility via spending their times in the nature and parks, moreover they can deeply breathe between the high amounts of oxygen which is there. Living in the city must be access to the parks due to city makes the soul tired. Walking and exercise in the nature let your mind free and gives to this opportunity to manage your thoughts, think deeply about your goals and how to gain them with reviewing your plans or even changes them because a places as quiet as parks and natures open your minds and gives you new ideas. Also, parks are very suitable for exercising and having picnic with your family or hanging out with your friends. They are used as a place to come together and celebrate or to practice as a team or play a game. I love all parks specially the big ones such as Stanley park.

 

1.   9.  write a poem reflecting upon your bench experience.

In the heart of the Victoria park

There is my special spot

You believe or not

My memories there cannot be forgot

While people walking careless on the sidewalk

Our friendship gets stronger like wall

when the city starts to gawk

let yourself feel freedom and run

Dear bench, I will keep you in my heart forever

Even if everything changes                                                                              

I will not be with you stranger

You will be my spectacular spot forever.

 

Niayesh SHahrezaee