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May 2018 Newsletter

May 14, 2018 | Uncategorized

Dear Friends of The Sunny Center,

Playtime on the rocks.

Here in Ireland, May 1st is considered the first day of summer, although it’s not exactly been very hot or sunny yet. But, even so, we are still enjoying the longer stretches of days and floral blooms of warmer weather.
 
And since it doesn’t get dark here until 10 or so, those longer days and evenings give us more time to be grateful for all that we have: our freedom, health, friendships, meaningful work and our extensive network of supporters here and in nearly every corner of the world. Of course, we count on that network each and every day to sustain our spirits and our work and, if you haven’t given to The Sunny Center yet this year, perhaps you might consider a donation now. Any gift, large, small or in between is greatly appreciated and valued. And we would also ask you to consider a recurring payment now available via PayPal.

Our visitors, Levi and Paul, from Australia.

We had a visitor Eva, a Reiki practioner from Cloughjordan, an eco community in Tipperary, whom we enjoyed welcoming to our own eco community! Eva has offered to do Reiki healing for our guests, a therapeutic practice we will be  happy to be able to offer our visitors. The Cloughjordan Ecovillage is an educational charity and an internationally recognized destination for learning about sustainable living. Sunny and Peter have been invited to join the discussion when the Cloughjordan book club meets to talk about Sunny’s book Stolen Time.
 

Our visitors from Australia walked the dogs and enjoyed a tour of the Sunny Center. During their visit, one of the hens snuck into the house and the woman asked, “Do they ever lay eggs in the house?” And Sunny replied, “Not yet!” No sooner had the couple left when Peter happened to go upstairs and find two eggs in the cat’s bed!

Hen eggs in the cat bed!

And we also hosted a visitor from the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, based in France. She came to observe and learn from our operation here. Later this month we will welcome the wife of an exoneree as a visitor to the center. And we are expecting our first female exoneree! She is coming from Holland where she was wrongly convicted. They will be informing the global community about our work. We are also expecting the visits of several exonerees in the coming months, which is always exciting and meaningful to us, as that is what we are here to do! 

OUR VOLUNTEERS ​

We are expecting our next volunteer from Mayo but if anyone is interested in volunteering their time to spend here at the Sunny Center, we invite you to contact us. Please use this link here on our website. 

OUR FURRY AND FEATHERED FRIENDS ​

Petal standing watch over Billy, one of her twins. 

Our four new kids are thriving and enjoying their happy life together with their moms. Each have their own unique personality. Easter is cuddly. April is shy. Billy is reserved and Joe, his brother, is bold and curious.
 
Our new hens are getting used to their new home and seem to be settling in well. Aside from finding the way into the house, they have also decided that the dog kennel is a cosy place to lay their eggs! Every day is like an Easter egg hunt here at the Sunny Center

OUR ACTIVISM ​

We spent time at St. Michael’s College in Dublin where we saw students from all levels attending St. Michael’s College, Blackrock College, St. Mary College and Willow Park Senior presenting their school projects on human rights. We talked about our human rights work and the student’s showcased their work with exhibition projects. Some students had actually visited Africa, for example. The students were very thoughtful and empathic, asking us questions like, “What did you do with yourself when you were locked up?” Sunny shared stories of how she would do things in her cell to amuse herself and keep her body, mind and spirit healthy. Aside from yoga, meditation and prayer, humor and creativity played an important role in not allowing her circumstances to dictate her state of mind. 

STAY CONNECTED ​

We are situated in a very rural part of Ireland with a sparse population. It is a 20-minute drive to the nearest grocery store, but we always feel connected to our supporters through this newsletter, sharing on Facebook, messages and texts, and, of course, through gifts of money and time. We are grateful to you for all of the support and love, and we feel blessed to have you in our lives. 

Peace and love,
​
Sunny and Peter 

Remembering Peter

My dear Peter is gone.
We sang him home on the last day of the year, gathered around his bedside as we had done for so many days before.

‘Send them green.’ A special message from a Sunny Center supporter!

“I had the wonderful opportunity to be a guest at the Sunny Center this past July. My first trip to Ireland, it always is a magical moment to visit friends who live overseas…”

Exonerees are succeeding, thanks to you!

Helping people exonerated of crimes they did not commit, setting them back on the path to a fulfilling life, is a monumental task that we depend on the dedication of volunteers, both near and far, to achieve.

Even in summer, the work doesn’t stop

We’re in midsummer now, with its long days that stretch until 11 in the evening here in Ireland. It’s a busy time for everyone and everything.

The power of art to heal and renew

Did you know that Peter was a woodworker and an artist? He created so many things. But more importantly, he taught those skills to other Exonerees when they visited the Center.

Looking for green shoots

Photo by Samantha Bookman. Peter and I chose to situate the Sunny Healing Center here in this beautiful location in the west of Ireland. A newcomer may at first see only a barren, rocky, windswept landscape. But, put your hand on the earth here, and you can feel the...

A message from Sunny about Peter

The time has come to say farewell to our dear Peter, who is in the process of transitioning from this body and this plane.

Finding Peace, Joy and Hope

The events in Ukraine over the past several days have been ever-present in all of our lives through the daily news and constant social media. These times can be especially difficult for Exonerees because of the traumas they are working to overcome.

Love Is Always the Answer

Winter is always a little bit quieter than the rest of the year. After a long day spent maintaining the Sunny Healing Center and getting it ready for visitors, it’s time for us to cuddle up with the kittens and, of course, Barney, on chilly winter evenings with a warm fire in the hearth.

A Happy, Healthy and Healing New Year to All

Love has no barriers and no limits. And neither does our gratitude for your continuing support and friendship. Know that you are never alone, because you are part of our family.

Happy Holidays to Our Friends Near and Far!

These are extraordinary times. And you’ve all been extraordinary supporters. Thanks to you, we’ve been able to keep helping Exonerees in the midst of a global emergency.