The Essence of Deneen Connolly

Creative ~ Free thinker ~ Artist 

Connected ~ Mother ~ Healer

Impromptu photo session with my new friend Deneen

I am a strong believer in several things, including the idea that things are meant to be and will be. I am also fond of saying that when an opportunity presents itself, and a door opens, you should not only walk through but jump through that portal.

 Meeting Deneen was one such event that felt meant to be. We had never met before November 2025.

 Here is the background of this fortunate rendezvous. In the last week of November, my son Chris, a musician, had to go to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to fill in as one of the Rowdymen for five gigs.

 I have admired the passion musicians show in pursuing their craft. Fortune, connections, and good luck have given me the privilege and, indeed, many opportunities to be one of the event photographers. On some occasions, it even felt as if I were such an integral part of the show that the musicians would look at me or point a finger as if to say, “Here’s the photo” of the event. One time, I was literally standing on the speaker to get “The shot.”

As a result of grovelling to Chris, he asked George Masswohl and Gerry Finn whether they would like photographs of the Halifax event; they said yes. The door opened, and Naguib had to jump through it. I was Halifax-bound. This would give me a chance to visit relatives in Montreal, as well as old neighbours and lifelong friends, John and Sue Corbett.

I was going on a road trip! Something I was passionate about, with a photographic opportunity, et voilà.

Left to right Gerry Finn and George Masswohl, the Rowdymen

At the first show, during intermission, several people were in the Green room. Chris was in a conversation with a woman whom I hadn’t met.

The conversation went like this. Chris, who had been with the band for three days of rehearsal and at a distant show, spoke with Deneen (I did not even know her name yet). Chris knew I was going to visit Peggy’s Cove early the next morning. He also heard from her that she wanted to go, too. He said to her, “You should go with my dad. He’s going there tomorrow morning.” She said she would love a ride. My reply: “Heads up, I may use you as a subject for pictures instead of the same old buildings.” Deneen’s reply: “I would love that. I can even dance for you between those old buildings. I am a professional dancer.” This opened yet another window to jump through.

I was already going to Peggy’s Cove to work with Nataliia Denysiuk, who is a great up-and-coming photographer with an excellent eye for a “THE” picture, plus, as a bonus, she too was going to pose for some photos. Taking Deneen along would be extra fun, as we had someone comfortable in front of a lens. As a matter of fact, I am sharing complete photo credits with Nataliia. While we were there, I shared my camera, and we shot in proximity. There was no way of identifying which shots were mine and which were Nataliia’s

I started in Central Halifax and picked Deneen up first. It was pouring rain, and we both needed a coffee. Lesson number one: I was going to stop at any old coffee shop. Deneen taught me to look for a small, independent bakery/coffee shop for something more special, instead of the multinational chains. What a find we made, it was a little French bakery with delicious, authentic croissants and a terrific coffee.

After we picked Nataliia up, we headed to the coast. The weatherman promised the rain would stop by the time we arrived. This time, he kept his promise

What followed was a substantive conversation among Deneen, Nataliia and me. We didn’t exactly solve world problems, but we covered a lot of topics during our four-hour photo expedition. 

Meet Deneen, my newfound friend.

I want you to know that this was a cold, wet morning, and our intrepid dancer danced barefoot on the cold, damp surface. This was while I was in a parka.

A fork in the road that didn't feel like it, but was a big moment and changed my life, goes like this....

It was April 2020, and as I walked through the Beaches district of Toronto East, my phone rang. It was my eldest son, Dyllan, calling to express his concerns about the COVID-19 lockdowns imposed on us. We were a month into the lockdowns, and the confusion and fear led me to do research. I removed myself from the narrative in which the big screen was turned on every day at 11 am at the downtown leased property. I found myself growing very angry, and I quickly started questioning everything.

 After months of proving to the government that I owned a house in Newfoundland, I came to the island alone from July to mid-August 2020 to escape what felt like a twilight zone. I wanted no part of it! In Toronto, I headed out at the supper hour, from 5 to 7, to walk along the lakefront beaches while folks were at home. I walked freely, yet with a worry I had never felt before. When I returned to the ocean for six weeks, despite the wider open spaces, I was still traumatized by the narrative's influence on its success in modifying people's behaviours. I walked, hiked, sang and danced, questioning its works in the fresh, salty air on the cooler shores of the East Coast. My anger and sadness shifted somewhat!

Until…I returned to Toronto in August and, upon my return to the big, now unaffordable, leased house, I threw my arms in the air and told my younger son, Logan, and my partner that I was moving back to Newfoundland and that I thought it was best for both of you to come. Intuitively, I knew we were in for a long haul of confusion, loss, despair, hardships, and on and on. At that time, I learned more about myself in six months than in all the years before combined. I learned to trust my intuition more than ever. I learned that I am a free thinker, a non-conformist, a truth seeker, and a very strong woman, mentally and emotionally. I knew before the move back to my homeland that I was in for a very difficult road ahead, because my choices for my health and wellness were mine alone.

In harmony with her surroundings.

How did I overcome my most significant challenge?

I spent about a year alone. My decision to listen to my intuition separated me from my loved ones, family, and friends. That alone time was a soul-searching part of my journey that opened my heart and soul to greater creativity in nature and the fields. I grew plants through propagation. As I nurtured and cared for them, my heart and head were cared for, too. At that time, my plants became my family and friends. Today, I have a jungle living in my home.

I sought work on a farm that didn't segregate people because of their health choices. I learned regenerative farming techniques, danced in the fields, grew 18 species of mushrooms, tended the vegetable gardens, and embarked on the new experience of foraging to complement my health using the available wildflowers and herbs.

I walked and walked, and with more walking, I sang and learned more songs, Natalie Merchant songs that have resonated with my being and doing for about 30 years, since the birth of my eldest, including the song “Eat for Two.” I travelled to oceans and rivers to sit with the divine and marvel at the beauty of nature's gifts that surrounded me. I sang songs to help with my healing journey from the sadness and pain I was experiencing. "I go to the river to soothe my mind, to ponder over the crazy days in my life, watch the river flow, ease my mind and soul, where I go." ~ Natalie Merchant.

In search of more social activity, I started gathering with people who thought about things the way I did. In doing so, I became more separated from loved ones, family, and friends. I was at my strongest! These social gatherings became musical connections, and I started singing to an audience from time to time. I sang more! I learned so many Natalie Merchant songs that I have a show to share with an audience at a future date. 

One gem that I have learned on my journey that I would love to share is.... 

Listening to my intuition was the right decision for me. Through it, I gained self-awareness that opened me to questioning everything and trusting myself! I learned to speak my truth and communicate it. This journey since 2020 has led me to psychotherapy to heal myself, work on forgiving myself and others, and to love and give more! I have become a songwriter and lyricist. A divine intervention has led me to record beautiful, soulful, and meaningful lyrics of hope, faith, and love. These lyrics are meaningful to my healing journey and have touched others.

What hint would I tell my younger self?

I would tell my younger self to GO for it! Turn all my dreams into action! Invest in gold and silver to gain a little more financial freedom in my sixties, so I can travel with my sons and partner, dance and learn, and plan for my future to ease the struggles of my artistry as a dancer. Stay with it, with your passions and purpose in life. Help others and bring joy through movement to their lives. Know that you are here in this life, Deneen, to teach, inspire, and dance!   

To be more forgiving of myself and others, and to love and give no matter what! Keep doing the work to be my best as a mother, partner, teacher, and friend.

And to:

"Love who you are, be who you are, shine like a shooting star, a star from the heavens above, fly, fly, fly like a dove!" ~ Deneen Connolly