An Interview with Virginia

Q. Why did you decide to write a book?

A. The inspiration for Gifts from the Heart began at a Christmas concert at the small rural school I teach at. I was sitting at the side of our community hall, waiting to take my Grade One students on stage. I was hoping to see the father of a little boy in my class-he had cancer, but very much wanted to attend. As I looked out at the audience, I spotted a lovely mother sitting in the front row. She had the biggest smile I've ever seen. I asked the teacher sitting next to me who she was and learned that this mom was new to our school and had been fighting cancer too. As I watched her gaze up at her five-year-old son, I realized why tonight was so special for her. And as I looked out at the audience, at all the loving, expectant faces, I wondered how many people were facing the possibility of loved ones not being there for the next Christmas. I decided that evening that I would find a way to help raise funds for cancer research. I decided to write a book, one that would encourage readers to “do all the good they can” at Christmas and throughout the year.

Q. Is that a reference to the Shaker Creed, which appears at the front of your book?

A. Yes. Don't you love that quote?

   Do all the good you can,
   In all the ways you can,
   To all the people you can,
   In every place you can,
   At all the times you can,
   As long as ever you can.

I came across it when I first began the manuscript, and it shaped the book itself. As I chose ideas, I asked myself whether they would encourage readers to help others.

Q. I understand that many children contributed their artwork or writing to Gifts from the Heart.

A. That's one of the best things about the book. Sixty-six children contributed their art work or writing. When I told the children at school that I wanted to raise funds for cancer research, they were so eager to help. I started a noon hour club where children could come and draw and write about Christmas. Most of the kids who came had family members who had been affected by cancer. They had lots of good ideas about what to include. “Put those candy sleighs in that we made for Meals on Wheels”. They suggested I put in “good things to eat. And lots of crafts. And a chapter about helping animals.” A very talented ten-year-old, Caitlin, provided the artwork for the front cover. The kids were so honest and open in their work. I loved it when Billy wrote “We should be nice to old people because they are old and they are going soon.” One little girl who lost her mother just weeks before wrote about a friend's family adopting a star in memory of her mom. That was so special.

Q. What did you learn from working with the children?

A. As we worked together, I realized just how much Christmas means to children. It's more than Santa and presents — it's a way for children to show their love for their family. Those egg carton bells and macaroni wreaths and angels with doily wings are their own “Gifts from the Heart.” We need to encourage that generosity of spirit. The world needs kids who care deeply.

Q. What was the most difficult part about writing this book for you?

A. It's hard to see children lose their parents, and see parents face the fact that they aren't going to be here to see their children grow up. I meet people at book signings who have stories to share about cancer. It touches so many lives. One could be overwhelmed by sadness or inspired by the bravery of cancer patients and their families. I choose the latter.

Q. You mention in your introduction that your own heart has been informed by loss. Has your family been affected by cancer?

A. Yes, some of my relatives and friends have been affected by cancer. I was also referring to mental illness, which has affected several family members. Mental illness is particularly isolating for families because there is such a stigma attached to it. When we have friends or family who are experiencing a critical illness, whether it's cancer or bipolar disorder or severe depression, we need to reach out to them. That's one of the reasons I encourage people to reach out to family and friends in the chapter called When the Holidays Hurt.

Q. There are so many Christmas books. How is your book different from the other Christmas books that come out each year?

A. I know, there are hundreds and hundreds of Christmas books aren't there? It's overwhelming. But Gifts from the Heart's content is quite unique. It's about creating a “feel good,” rather than “look good,” holiday. It has ideas for volunteering as a family, encouraging imagination, simple traditions, and great recipes for gifts from the kitchen and potluck dinners. And it deals with the hard parts of the holidays too, such as the hyped-up expectations, and “the gimmies,” and the lack of time. The chapters about supporting family and friends who are facing illness or loss and divorce and blended families are very special. And the children's contributions are priceless.

Q. What has been the hardest thing you've learned to do?

A. I didn't even own a computer before I began, so that was a steep learning curve. A bigger challenge is that I had a lifelong fear of public speaking. My determination to help a wonderful cause enabled me to “break the fear barrier” and speak to audiences of up to 425 people. I've learned to enjoy giving interviews and have met some incredibly generous columnists and newspaper reporters.

Q. The average book in Canada sells about 1100 copies. You've sold thousands of copies. What factors would you say have been the most instrumental to your success?

A. I think Gifts from the Heart has been successful for many reasons. The story behind the creation of the book touches readers' hearts — the fact that every book sold helps cancer research has played an enormous part in our success. We find once people have read the book, they often pick up several more copies for families and friends. We've also partnered with some wonderful organizations that buy lots of books and use it as a fundraiser themselves. Some businesses have purchased it in large quantities as gifts for clients and staff. And the content appeals to readers of all ages. Whether you are a senior or the parent of young children, it has simple, inexpensive ideas that make Christmas more meaningful.

Q. You have a revised and expanded edition of Gifts from the Heart out now. How did that happen? Were you looking for a publisher?

A. This is truly an example of synchronicity at work in the universe. Mary, a fan from Montreal, wrote to tell me how much she loved Gifts from the Heart. We kept in touch, and one day she wrote to say she'd seen my book mentioned in a book she'd borrowed from the library. I wrote Katherine Gibson, the author of Unclutter Your Life, to thank her for mentioning my book. It turned out she lived on Vancouver Island too. We became pen pals too, and met occasionally. Katherine was going to Toronto to visit the publisher of her new book, Pause: Putting the Brakes on a Runaway Life. She very kindly asked if I'd like her to mention my book to Mike O'Connor at Insomniac Press. A family member had cancer, and Katherine very much wanted to see Gifts from the Heart back in print so that it could continue to raise funds for research. Mike requested a copy, and called to offer a contract within a few days. It's amazing, isn't it, these connections in our lives.

Q. Who inspires you?

A. There are so many people — Terry Fox, of course. Tommy Douglas, who was originally a minister, then went into politics in order to obtain medical care and old age pensions for all Canadians. Eleanor Roosevelt and Mother Theresa, and John F. Kennedy. Gandhi. I love to read about their lives. But the real inspiration for Gifts from the Heart was the parents and children who I have worked with who have faced loss with such courage. And the people I've met through Gifts from the Heart, who send little notes to say the book is special, that they miss their sister or brother or mother or father, and that they share our hope that one day all forms of cancer will be treatable.

Q. What have you enjoyed most?

A. Well, raising over $98,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society from book sales so far has been absolutely stupendous.

Receiving the National Council of the Canadian Cancer Society's Community Champion award was very exciting. Generally it is given to companies or organizations like Bombardier, Quebecor or the Scotia Group. My husband Charlie and I were thrilled when Gifts from the Heart won such a special award.

I love meeting new people through the book. That was an unexpected bonus I hadn't anticipated when Gifts from the Heart was first published. I've made so many friends through the project.

And although the book has been in the news, it's always exciting when we have a new request for an interview or appearance. We've had extraordinary press-the media has been very good to us, and we are grateful.

Q. What are you looking forward to in the future?

A. I'm thrilled that Gifts from the Heart is going to be sold in bookstores across the country! It's marvelous that our revised and expanded edition is available now, and will be released in the US and other countries in 2007. Broader distribution means more readers will be creating a more caring holiday — I'm glad about that. And my royalties will continue to support cancer research, which is very good news indeed.

Q. If you could give our listeners or readers advice about Christmas what would it be?

A. Even though we lead busy lives, if we could just find one charity to help and one lonely person to reach out to, that would make a difference. My grandma used to say “You just wake up one day, and you're old.” I used to laugh. I'm not laughing now. Life goes by quickly. It's so extraordinarily precious, and so fragile. Don't worry about a perfect Christmas, and the “right” gift. Focus on creating a Christmas that creates memories and traditions to cherish later on. Find a little time to “do all the good you can.”

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