September’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Melody St. Pierre to support the creation of “legacy squares” sharing important life messages from seniors.

“Imagine,” says Melody, “if you received a small deck of personal messages from your grandparent or a senior in your life, infused with all their wisdom and love, that you could carry with you for the rest of your life.”

“A legacy square,” she explains, “is a small double-sided card that includes a message from a senior on one side – advice, encouragement, etc. – and a personal watercolour portrait of them on the other – painted by me.”

“Over the last year,” she continues, “I’ve had the honour of hosting a creative writing group at a local senior’s centre. I’m constantly struck by both how much the participants want to share their life reflections and messages, and by how powerful those messages are. Often, the messages go unheard.”

“As I plan to launch a Legacy Writing course at the centre in the fall,” says Melody, “this project will allow us to transform some of the participants’ messages into tangible pieces that their loved ones and the community could carry with them – both now and for years to come. These small keepsakes may travel with us in purses, wallets, and notebooks; rest on nightstands and office desks; or hang on walls, doors, and fridges. Just as affirmation cards empower and inspire many, legacy squares can be more personalized pieces that spark intergenerational connections and conversations.”

“Each participant will leave with two decks of their own legacy squares – one for themselves and one for their families – and we will also look to produce a combined deck to share on a larger scale within the community,” says Melody.

“As a young person, I would be honoured to walk alongside these seniors in crafting their top messages and transforming them into powerful pieces to share.”

Melody is an undergraduate student in communications, and moved to Ottawa for university.