We have been swamped with great competitions from the many young athletes representing countries from all over the world. It has been quite exciting to see what capacities, determination and athleticism that these competitors have. The Olympics also brought tears to my eyes. We have seen the sudden deaths of a luger and of Joannie Rochette's mom.
My tears during the opening ceremonies were also for Kelly-Anne. She loved the Olympics and was thrilled when women's waterpolo was finally accepted as an Olympic sport. I can remember the many Olympic games where Kelly-Anne would be glued to the television. I think it is every dream of an athletic to one day be an Olympian. For Kelly-Anne, one of her achievements was that of a gold medal for Canada in Wasago Beach, Ontario in 2003 in surf ski.
For me , Kelly-Anne is my Olympian.
No matter who wins or looses, the games are a wonderful reminder of what we are capable of achieving ; that our successes are within ourselves; that we can all be athletics in our own way. These young people have shown that being focused and courageous as Joannie showed us last evening is all within our reach.
I am aspired by these athletics, just as Kelly-Anne inspired me and continues to do so even in her death.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Loosing a Friend
Today, I received word that an old friend of mine who lives in New Brunswick passed away in her sleep. The first thing that I thought of was the disbelief, how could that of happened. She was only 62 years old. I then said to myself that she is now with Kelly-Anne. I was angry at myself for not keeping up the communication in the past few years. We saw each other about 8 years ago when she visited family in Montreal for a few days. She did call me when Kelly-Anne died.
Eileen raised a wonderful family of girls. She loved her pets. I can remember a time when one of her cats was gong to have babies. We all sat around the cat and this is where the girls had their first lesson in childbirth! Kelly-Anne's first sleepover invitation was at her home as Kelly-Anne and Kim were great friends with Eileen's younger daughters.
I cried alot today but as I sit here and write I can only smile as I remember the fun times we had together...the birthday parties and the family suppers.
Friendships are priceless and life has a way of getting ahead of us and then it's just too late.
Rest in peace dear friend.
Eileen raised a wonderful family of girls. She loved her pets. I can remember a time when one of her cats was gong to have babies. We all sat around the cat and this is where the girls had their first lesson in childbirth! Kelly-Anne's first sleepover invitation was at her home as Kelly-Anne and Kim were great friends with Eileen's younger daughters.
I cried alot today but as I sit here and write I can only smile as I remember the fun times we had together...the birthday parties and the family suppers.
Friendships are priceless and life has a way of getting ahead of us and then it's just too late.
Rest in peace dear friend.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Reminder- Quebec Civil Code on Leases
On April 1st 2006, the Quebec civil code 1974. 1 was brought into effect.Thanks to women's groups in Quebec such as WomenAware which worked so diligently to convince our government of the much needed change.
Many women in abusive relationships stay behind and endure the hardships because of the financial commitment they are burdened with because of leases, car loans, etc.
Let me just say that no matter what the financial implications are, they do not out weight the price of life.....and we all know that there is no price tag on life. I would rather see a women leave a relationship with debt, but be free within herself knowing that she is safe and can move forward.
Our civil code in Quebec allows a women to be released from her commitment in a lease if she is a victim or her children are victims of abuse. This law states that if a women is a victim, she must divulge this information to the authorities which is a step in the right direction...a step towards freedom.
I know that I have already written about this law before, but it's always good to be reminded as I just don't know who will be reading my blog!
Many women in abusive relationships stay behind and endure the hardships because of the financial commitment they are burdened with because of leases, car loans, etc.
Let me just say that no matter what the financial implications are, they do not out weight the price of life.....and we all know that there is no price tag on life. I would rather see a women leave a relationship with debt, but be free within herself knowing that she is safe and can move forward.
Our civil code in Quebec allows a women to be released from her commitment in a lease if she is a victim or her children are victims of abuse. This law states that if a women is a victim, she must divulge this information to the authorities which is a step in the right direction...a step towards freedom.
I know that I have already written about this law before, but it's always good to be reminded as I just don't know who will be reading my blog!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Being a Mom
Kim decided back in July of last year to move out with her and Kelly-Anne's childhood friend Monique and her baby Lilah. That made me very happy but of course brought back memories of Kelly-Anne being excited about moving into her first apartment. The situation was different, Kelly-Anne and Marty were moving in together and that brought about a stress that will haunt me for the rest of my life. Kim's move brought me bittersweet memories as I saw her unpack alot of Kelly-Anne's household possessions. I was happy that Kim agreed to use them in her apartment.
My worries about Kim are different that what they were about Kelly-Anne. Kim has been coming over on weekends and leaving with a big bag of home cooked meals. That really makes me happy. She tells me that my homemade soups are amazing. I don't want to sound like an enabler but knowing that Kim is eating well and is living in a clean, safe environment is important to me.
I would of loved to have cooked more for Kelly-Anne. I made her a pizza a couple of weeks before she left for Italy. I never knew if Kelly-Anne liked the pizza as there was no talk of it afterwards. I realize now that pizza was the last thing on Kelly-Anne's mind; she was suffering so much inside of herself.
I cherish the time that I have now with Kim, cooking and talking about adult stuff...what her wedding dress will look like, what names she likes for children, and of course discussing up bring and behavior of children. Now the next step is finding the perfect Mr. Right for her. How I would love to be the Mom in the movie..."Because I Said So".......do you think I could pull it off?
My worries about Kim are different that what they were about Kelly-Anne. Kim has been coming over on weekends and leaving with a big bag of home cooked meals. That really makes me happy. She tells me that my homemade soups are amazing. I don't want to sound like an enabler but knowing that Kim is eating well and is living in a clean, safe environment is important to me.
I would of loved to have cooked more for Kelly-Anne. I made her a pizza a couple of weeks before she left for Italy. I never knew if Kelly-Anne liked the pizza as there was no talk of it afterwards. I realize now that pizza was the last thing on Kelly-Anne's mind; she was suffering so much inside of herself.
I cherish the time that I have now with Kim, cooking and talking about adult stuff...what her wedding dress will look like, what names she likes for children, and of course discussing up bring and behavior of children. Now the next step is finding the perfect Mr. Right for her. How I would love to be the Mom in the movie..."Because I Said So".......do you think I could pull it off?
Haiti -The Aftermath
The past few weeks all eyes have been on Haiti. The pain, the deaths, the suffering and the fellowship have all been deeply relayed through the media. We are fortunate here in Montreal to have Sue Montgomery writing for the Gazette. She spent two weeks living with the people in Haiti. Her bed consisted of a piece of cardboard which she slept on under the stars.
Before Christmas , Sue and I met up for lunch. It had been a long time that we had not seen each other, so it was good to catch up. I remember sitting in the resto munching on my goat cheese salad and listening to her talk about her traveling adventures. We parted after lunch and did not know then that the country of these already impoverished people would have to face four weeks later, as much as Sue did not know that she would be off to help the people of Haiti.
While Sue was in Haiti, memories of a conversation came back to me. Kelly-Anne must of been in high school and one day were were talking about her future. She said to me that she wanted to be a journalist reporting in countries around the world. Kelly-Anne did graduate from Concordia in Communications but did not get much opportunity to work in her field. She was never able to live her dream in a career which she was excited about. I remember thinking back then when Kell said she would welcome the opportunity to go to war torn countries to report. Sounds like nothing could put in fear in her, but it sure did in me. My first thought was no way...I am not going to loose my daughter because of any war. Reflecting about that today, Kell would have been safer in a war torn country or a country like Haiti than being in her own home.
I feel that if Kell had had the opportunity, she would have had Sue as a mentor. I see so much of the same traits in both them of them. Sue and Kelly-Anne have also taught me a little something, that being gung ho and a bit of an adventurist is a good thing. I have taught myself that fear is only an obstacle that cannot be allowed to control my life. It's a non- issue.
I have to go up 45 flights in an elevator each day to get to my office.....and I was always fearful of elevators. It's a choice...I wasn't about to let my fear get in the way of having a great job in a great company.
I know that Sue 's voice of the people will remain with them for ever. I only wish that Kelly-Anne would of had that opportunity to live out her dream.
Before Christmas , Sue and I met up for lunch. It had been a long time that we had not seen each other, so it was good to catch up. I remember sitting in the resto munching on my goat cheese salad and listening to her talk about her traveling adventures. We parted after lunch and did not know then that the country of these already impoverished people would have to face four weeks later, as much as Sue did not know that she would be off to help the people of Haiti.
While Sue was in Haiti, memories of a conversation came back to me. Kelly-Anne must of been in high school and one day were were talking about her future. She said to me that she wanted to be a journalist reporting in countries around the world. Kelly-Anne did graduate from Concordia in Communications but did not get much opportunity to work in her field. She was never able to live her dream in a career which she was excited about. I remember thinking back then when Kell said she would welcome the opportunity to go to war torn countries to report. Sounds like nothing could put in fear in her, but it sure did in me. My first thought was no way...I am not going to loose my daughter because of any war. Reflecting about that today, Kell would have been safer in a war torn country or a country like Haiti than being in her own home.
I feel that if Kell had had the opportunity, she would have had Sue as a mentor. I see so much of the same traits in both them of them. Sue and Kelly-Anne have also taught me a little something, that being gung ho and a bit of an adventurist is a good thing. I have taught myself that fear is only an obstacle that cannot be allowed to control my life. It's a non- issue.
I have to go up 45 flights in an elevator each day to get to my office.....and I was always fearful of elevators. It's a choice...I wasn't about to let my fear get in the way of having a great job in a great company.
I know that Sue 's voice of the people will remain with them for ever. I only wish that Kelly-Anne would of had that opportunity to live out her dream.
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