So here's the thing. I play a number of roles in this theatre of life, and one of the biggest ones is my role as a mother. I think it's probably the most important job I'll ever do. So I think about it. A lot. I spend a lot of time considering how I will handle situations that are sure to arise in … [Read more...]
Oh the Times They Are a-Tryin’
You know, my Mom has always been a great one for folk wisdom. And one of the sayings she was always fond of is this: you have to take the good with the bad. Which I always thought was backwards. Didn't she mean that although life was generally good, you had to accept that some bad things will … [Read more...]
Random Musings on a Wednesday Afternoon
I can't believe it's June already. My kids are already in summer vacation mode which means it's getting harder to get them to school. Summer means different things for each of them. For the Boy, it means shorts and tank tops no matter what the temperature. I try to explain that even … [Read more...]
Dispatches from Home
That's a picture of me and my nearly-six-year-old daughter, drawn by same. It's the most common theme of her prolific artwork: pictures of me and Mommy. And each one is lovingly inscribed: "to mommy". Most days I enjoy the tributes, give them a few days on the fridge honour roll, and then help them … [Read more...]
The Life in Your Years
My mom was admitted to the hospital yesterday. Her kidneys are failing and the doctors can't figure out why. She's tired. And sick. But she is, amazingly, still my mom. You wanna know what her concern was as she was shuffled from bed to bed, test to test, and doctor to doctor? Me, my dad and my … [Read more...]
Life Lessons and an Unwilling 6-year-old
Since my mom became ill things have changed a lot around our house. I've been spending more and more time and TONS of emotional energy on her care. Arranging playdates for my kids so that I can take my mom to chemo, missing soccer games and dinners at home, attending doctors appointments and … [Read more...]
Fun comes in Different Packages
I used to be a planner. "Brunch, of course!" "Dinner, oh yes!", "Coffee, why not?" I miss getting dressed up and going out and about, exploring the latest hottest resto or cafe. The reality is, however, that I'm just too tired. Three little ones keep me on my toes, and … [Read more...]
The Big Four-Oh
Yup, that's right. I'm celebrating my fortieth birthday this weekend (actually, it's right smack on Victoria Day this year). As I face this milestone, I find myself actually looking forward to it. Time was when a woman would claim to be '38 forever', but I think we should all feel that 40 is an age … [Read more...]
Definitely in the Genes…
In my family, I tend to be the creative one...you know, the one who's into crafts and baking, knitting and sewing; sometimes even sketching or painting. My sisters' hobbies definitely don't wander to the crafty, and although my Mom once made me a lovely painted piggy-bank at a ceramics class, and … [Read more...]
Of Sunshine and Good Company and Anjali Mudra
I'm here visiting my parents at their home in the idyllic setting of Ontario's Georgian Triangle. I'm here to help them out as much as I can (making meals, cleaning up, driving to hospital) but I'm also here to refresh myself. To step away from my own life and take a few weeks to get rooted again, … [Read more...]