Stories from the Bench is a collection of inter-related short stories about thirty-two individuals who use the same bench during a twenty-four hour period. The bench is that safe space sought for moments of renewal, of reflection and contemplation, of connecting with our inner self or with others, or of simply being. The bench is part of who we are and well-deserving of our stewardship, just like the land and water we live on and the air we breathe.
The stories are of love and grieving, of seeking refuge or moments of contemplation, of growing old or being young, of life transitions, and of friends and family. The individuals come from all walks of life, and are both young and old. Religion, political stripes, age, gender, colour, sexual orientation, career profession – no matter the characteristics which make a community diverse, these individuals represent part of that diversity and each have a story.
You are invited to sit on a bench or wherever is most comfortable as the stories are told of moments in the lives of this disparate set of individuals.
The Story behind Stories from the Bench
The inspiration for this book came from seeing a bench alongside a beautiful lake in Switzerland as I travelled by train in September 2024. It struck me that there was a story or stories to be told. The outline was completed three days later, and the stories were being written while en-route back to Canada. One month later the stories were completed and ready for evaluation and copy editing.
Behind the stories themselves, I was motivated to speak to the importance of having a space in our lives for reflection and growth, the diversity of our communities, and the influence played by family, friends and strangers in enriching each others’ lives. The challenge then was to develop the characters, the stories and the connections between each.
I loved writing these stories, and found it both fun and challenging. And through it all, I came away with a better appreciation myself of the power and diversity of community.
There are different options for purchasing and they will change over time. The e-version is available on Amazon while the hard version is at Amazon and in stores, at the library, and through contacting me. Sale price of hard version is $10.
Purchase on Amazon Books
Online purchases are completed from Amazon Books. Amazon is very secure and all transactions between you and Amazon are completely managed by Amazon. We do not see your credit card or banking information. All we see is that your payment has been processed, allowing us to ship the book to you.
Purchase via Pickup
We are located in the Ottawa area, Orleans to be specific. If you wish, you can pay for the book (cash or e-transfer) and pick it up at our location.
Complete the form below and click COMPLETE MY REQUEST TO PURCHASE button and we will contact you to finalize pickup and payment arrangements.