cousin who turns out to be a half-brother . “ Bend forward . Hang your head between your knees . Mind your neck , Irene .” Interesting times , Helen thought , DNA tests given as gifts , hitherto unknown extended relatives finding each other . So many sad stories — maybe some happy endings ? “ Release . Sit up slowly . Breathe .” Helen sat up quickly , the sudden movement triggering a pile of hidden papers to slide into camera view . “ Circle your right shoulder .” Why was she sitting here , Helen agonized , with these ghosts ? She was too much in her own head during this pandemic .
“ Circle your left — remember our guiding words : peace , stillness , harmony .”
Why do I think only about regrets , why can ’ t I remember the good things I ’ ve done ? Why can ’ t I forgive myself ? I should have taken the risk long ago — harmony can also include courage , challenge , discomfort , and truth . It ’ s like this yoga class , not everyone has to be singing the same note . “ Wiggle your fingers .” She had to tell him . Better coming from her now than from some third cousin after she was gone . He might imagine the worst . Would he forgive her ?
“ Helen , are you alright ? You haven ’ t moved for two minutes ?”
Other voices joined in , shouting her name . Helen , roused from her ruminations , saw the concerned faces of her classmates and instructor who had unmuted everyone .
“ I ’ m sorry . I have to call my son ,” Helen said , shutting her laptop .
Perhaps the boy who had inherited the kindest eyes in Canada could forgive her . She would take that chance . news & views AUTUMN 2023 | 35