The Story of the death of Len

I am reading the words of the three women I love the most. I am touched and proud to call theses women my friends. I know I now need to share, but just like me, I my mind comes up blank! Now that it is crunch time how do I get the words in my head on to the screen and what could I talk about that anyone would want to read.

After much thought I have decided to tell the story of Lens death. Some might be shocked by this story line. But there is so much in this story that is familiar to all of us. It will take me time to tell it all and it will be very emotional at time (I am tearing up as I write this) but there are some over the top, laugh your head of moments. Moments, that if the people in my life had not actually witnessed, you might think it was made up. To my friends and family it is not my intention to hurt anyone feelings or to misinterpret the events. I am going to try to be as honest as possible (as I remember them) and the feelings I write are mine alone.

My hope is when you read this story you..... I really don't know at this time what I want you to get from it. I just have this very deep desire to tell it.

My third friend at the park

My third friend at the park is another very remarkable woman. She has faced so much adversity but her strength and determination have always kept her afloat. She is so happy with the smallest things in life. Going to a movie, a bright sunny day, a bunny in the back yard, they all make her light us with joy. I hope that she realizes the strength that continues to lie within her. She is strong and sensitive. She really feels the trials and tribulations of others in a very deep manner always wishing that she could do more to help. I have witnessed her life change in so many ways but no matter what she always stays true to herself. Her love for her family is unparallelled. She is welcoming and giving but at the same time very cautious and private. When you take the time to break through her inner shield you will find that you not only have a true friend but you will have a friend for life. We love you Louise and we all see you as a pillar of strength and determination. You have very special qualities and gifts that will help you climb any mountains.

My second friend at the park

This woman was the second woman that I met at the park. She has one of the biggest, kindest hearts that I have ever met. Her inner beauty can sometimes go by without enough credit because she never draws attention to her helping nature. There are many thing that she does daily that I bet no one even knows have occurred because of her. She is a very selfless person. She wants us to believe that she is tough as nails and bothered by little but we all know the softness that lies within her. She is one of those women that are constantly searching their hearts and souls for a way to make the world a better place. She doesn't realize that the world is a better place just because of her existence. You really need to get to know her to appreciated her and her humour and candor. If you ever run out of eggs, she will deliver them to your door!!!! Thanks Carolin we love you and we wouldn't change a hair on your pretty head. It still amazes me that she has done so many jobs for being such a spring chicken. She loves her family very deeply and she is constantly working to make things happy for them. She is one of a kind. She is the friend that everyone should have.

My first friend at the park

My first friend at the park is the person who taught me that it takes a village to raise a child.. She is a wonderful woman. She is a very thought provokingi individual. Everything that she does is planned and well executed. There is very little margin for error when she does something because her plans are full poof. Sometimes I could listen to her talk forever because she is so descriptive. Her story telling of even the simplest of events are told as though they were written by a world renowned poet. She is happy with the little things in life and her memories are loving and captivating. She is concerned with how others see her and I wish that she could understand that we see her as a very caring, respectful and visionary soul. She can feel and see thing that the rest of us cannot and she does not fear the unknown. She welcomes spirits and is confident in her abilities to connect withe them. She is caring about the planet and the state that we will leave it in for our future generations. She does more than her part to live "green" I admire and respect her courage and determination. Thank you so much Cathy for all of the wonderful things that you have taught me over the years but most of all for your friendship. I hope that you know how much we love you and need you and your family to be a part of our lives. You have always been there for me just steps away and even though now you are a drive away I know that if I ever need you that you are never too far away.

A Rare Gift

To feel truly and fully accepted is a rare gift. We all have foibles. Those ‘things’ we stress about inwardly and at times openly. Some may call it an ‘Achilles’ heel or even a fault. To the person who is feeling it, it can be life changing.
I immigrated to Canada as a baby from an island in the Caribbean Sea. Sounds grand yes, but in reality it has taken me some thirty plus years to come to fully appreciate how it made me different. I grew up in a great neighbourhood. I had great friends, no worries or concerns. I didn’t realize that I was different until midway through elementary school. I suppose that is when true socialization starts. Kids can be cruel without realizing that they are.
You have probably made the assumption that I am dark skinned. There would not have been a problem if I was. I am very light skinned with freckles and bright blue eyes. So far not so bad, until you add light brown, almost blond afro hair! It could not be tamed. My hair never grew long enough to braid or be scraped back in a bun! So it just flew around my head, free. I tried to keep it under a hat as often as possible, but it became a playground game to steal the hat off of the top of my head! I was called many names, teased constantly and often compared to a broom and they would try to pick me up to demonstrate!
I survived through the years, only developing one phobia... hairdressers. Some would think they would help, however, they would see my skin colour and assume they could cut my hair. Every time I would explain that my hair is afro curly and it ‘bounces’ back, and every time they would cut it too short until it stood up straight on top of my head!
Finally, in my twenties I met up with a hairdresser from the Islands who understood. She took the time to show me, teach me how to understand and deal with my hair. Becoming comfortable with my hair has lead to me being comfortable within myself which in turn has given me the confidence to show on the outside just who I am. This has also lead to an acceptance and even pride of my ‘rootz’.
My friends would say I worried for nothing, that they accept me as I am and they are true to their word. They have all seen me in my various hair states and I am comfortable with them, even when they tease me. There is a purely happy feeling knowing that you do not have to run to put a hat on because one of your friends is at the door.
That is one of the greatest gifts given to me!

Little Moments you need to listen

My new favourite song. Enjoy and cherish those special moments which really make a difference in our lives.

Brad has so many other great songs on youtube.

Let me know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC-DKjkxbv0

Four Women

Four women, different backgrounds, similar ages, former full-time workers, new home owners in a new suburban subdivision....all at home accepting their new responsibilities as stay at home moms.

Let's set the stage. Scene one...a small park surrounded by new homes. A few newly planted trees, paved pathways, a big sand area with swings and a climbing playground. Oh, and let's not forget the two benches facing the playground!

Each morning, at around ten thirty, these women would meet in the park, unaware at the time that they were laying the foundation for a unique relationship that would see them share in the joys and sorrows of their personal lives.

Each woman has come to realize that the four together make up a whole. Each woman having a strength in an area that the others are able to use, for support in times of stress or to use unabashedly at times of joy.

Is this something new? No, we are not the only women to find themselves creating an intimate supportive friendship. However, we four decided to create this blog so we can share some of our stories. We appreciate that there are many people who do not have the ‘outlet’ that we have. It’s important to understand that thoughts, feelings and situations are shared, not isolated.

Our goal is to share our thoughts, feelings and situations in the hope that they will be read and appreciated and maybe some-one will no longer feel alone.