Older & Bolder Ep 16: Little Barn on the Prairie with Mary Sawatzky by Older & Bolder with Debbie McCulloch

You will want to drink in every word as you listen to this conversation with Mary Sawatzky. Mary is the owner, operator and along with her daughter Paige, the creative genius behind a unique venue called “The Barn”. Located on a piece of paradise on the prairie, this property has become the place where wellness journeys are launched, special occasions are celebrated, and precious memories are created.

Mary takes us through a day that started off very routine and turned into a tragedy, ultimately resulting in her 7-year-old son, Wade, being rushed to a hospital more than an hour and a half away. Hear how Mary describes the shock and emotional turmoil of watching her son lose his life only days later. Mary shares how the decision to donate her son’s organs at this time, not only helped those who received this life-saving gift, but also aided in her own healing journey.

Mary speaks openly about the difficult months and years following. She discusses ways she dealt with her own grief and the challenge of observing her teenage daughter struggling to process “Survivor Syndrome.” Mary also takes us down the path of living with a loved one experiencing the dark days of addiction, as her husband used drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of his grief. Hear firsthand how Mary’s life was turned into a whirlwind of chaos and uncertainty as she was unable to help her husband break free from the hold of these addictive substances.

Be inspired as Mary recounts the days, shortly after becoming a widow in her fifties, when her daughter Paige moved back home and together they accomplished what most people would think was impossible. Renovating a 100-year-old barn into a space that hosts everything from weddings to Halloween mazes to extravagant Mother’s Day High Teas, Mary and Paige have created something truly remarkable! Hear how their vision, their supportive community and their ingenuity in figuring out ways to repurpose materials and items thrown away by others, all contributed to this accomplishment.

Mary’s story will give us all hope that nothing is impossible if we believe in ourselves and never doubt the power of persistence!

https://www.thebarnherschel.ca/
https://ancientechoes.ca/

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Recorded in Saskatoon & Rosetown, Saskatchewan
Show producer: Christina Cherneskey Communications
Theme music: ES_By the Neon Sign
Music selections for this show: ES_First Glimpse of You - Victor Lundberg, ES_Hum with Me - Tape Machines, ES_Saddle Up - Francis Wells, ES_Ty Zh Mene Pidmanula - Traditional, ES_Wherever You're Going (Instrumental Version) - Cody Francis.

Voice over: Christina Cherneskey
Original artwork: Jackie Peterson
Artwork developed for digital media pages: Christina Cherneskey