Ruff Edge Collective

I had such a great time capturing these special moments during Arthega’s Valaikappu yesterday!

portraitphotography

When I got home from work today, my neighbour‘s friend was pulling into his driveway. I’ve seen him around sometimes, he’s a older gentleman and always seemed happy. I waved at him and then went inside to get ready to work out.

I was just working out in my garage with the garage doors open and doing barbell twists, when I saw the family friend staring at me from his car.

He waved after I finished my set and then got out of his car.

He asked me a question: “Do you think you are strong mentally and physically?”

I replied: “Mentally, yes. Physically I’m not quite there yet but that’s why I built this gym.”

He then said “Good. Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?”

I replied: “Sure, go ahead.”

He then asked: “If you had nobody left in the world, no brother, no sister, no father, no mother, no daughter, no son, could you live? Do you think you would be able to move on?”

I replied: “It would be hard but I think their memories would keep me going. Their memories would keep me strong.”

He then asked: “How can you be so sure? How?” while tearing up and it broke my heart.

I asked him: “Sir, is this what you’re going through right now?” And the look he had in his face could say it all. He broke down and told me that he didn’t know how he could move on. He told me that he has nobody else in the world now, “everyone is gone.”

Do you know what I told him? I told him that I believed he could get through this, that I knew he could overcome this because of all the times I saw him smiling on his way in to my neighbours.

He then said: “Things were different then.”

I replied: “Yes, things were different but you can carry those memories with you and live on to create more good ones. You also have John (my neighbour).”

He said: “John has his own problems. Anyways I’m going to go, but what’s your name?”

I said that my name was Harrattan and he said “I’ll see you next time then, Harrattan”. I gave him a light pat on the shoulder and then he went on his way.

I hope I do see him again.

Please be kind to those around you, you never know what they’re going through.

We recently went on a camping trip to Killarney Provincial Park and you can read all about it on our blog!

A Killer Time in Killarney Provincial Park Being outdoors is great. You get to enjoy the fresh air, see beautiful sights, and it is so good for your mental health!

Hey everyone!

We finally took the leap and created a page for Ruff Edge Collective.

We want to start off by sharing a short blurb from our website about our 'Mental Health Matters Initiative'. The initiative was started when Ruff Edge Collective was created in October 2021. Through this initiative, we donate a certain percentage to a very important organization for the community in the GTA.

"Taking care of your Mental Health is very important, but unfortunately there are people in our communities who cannot get the help that they need due to lack of eduction/information, lack of resources and a lack of opportunity in their lives.

We choose The Centre of Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) as the organization to donate the proceeds from purchases of any 'Mental Health Matters' product to because the donations will fund their research of mental illness and drug addiction.

On their website, CAMH emphasizes that "[they] are working toward a world where no one has to lose their life or a loved one to this tragic outcome—a world where treatments are more effective, where care is more accessible and where prevention is a public health priority".

Through this initiative we plan to help in the spread of Mental Health Awareness and encourage people to take care of their own Mental Health and educate people on what resources are available for themselves and/or their loved ones."

Visit ruffedge.co/shop to check out our selection and support the cause!

Disclaimer: 50% of proceeds from purchases of any 'Mental Health Matters' products will be donated to the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health.