Before it's too late

I didn't blog yesterday like I almost always do because I had no clue where to start and so decided to put it off until today.

So here I am. Unfortunately, for those of you that are actually reading this, we had a family crisis this morning, and my brain isn't functioning very well at all at this point. You're lucky these sentences are coherent!

Anyway, I should have something better to contribute next week. I just don't want to get in the habit of not blogging on my usual days, as it gets easier not to do it. And it's good for me.

Till next week...

In this moment

 

 

This year marks the first time since being on maternity leave 10 years ago, that I have spent the Christmas break not working. Mostly due to not having enough vacation time, or not having the seniority. Whatever the case, this year I had the time, and I am now in a unit that allows for me to take two weeks off over the break.

 

So, here I sit, trying to figure out what to do with this time. I have to admit, before I made a list, it was quite overwhelming. There are so many things I want to accomplish , but yet want to enjoy my time with my girls and relax. As I think about my list, and my goals for the coming months, I have come to the conclusion that I need to take the days as they come, and keep my list in front of me. I don't wish to keep a tight schedule - I mean the idea is to relax right? So, I'll take one day at a time, and I fully intend on living in the moment.

 

 

 

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Pink

I missed blogging last week, and am finding it more difficult to write today due to the recent tragedy in the US. Something like that always makes me want to hold my children closer, and my heart bleeds for those families that cannot do that any longer. Our children are our future and they hold an amazing amount of potential.

And part of that potential lies in helping them to understand mental illness so that they can see past the stigmas, and have compassion and empathy for those that struggle with mental illness.

I see so much of what we do at Silent River Kung Fu and through the Silent River Benevolent Foundation as a fantastic tool to empower our youth. Every charitable act that we perform has a positive impact both on the giver and the receiver. Our acts of kindness span our community and the globe - with projects as far away as Nepal and Malawi, and as close to home as the senior down the the street, the results are easy to see and feel.

One of the tools we use to spread awareness is our lion dance and I feel blessed to be a part of it. My sense of community grows with every practice, and I love demonstrating our passion every Chinese New Year. It's a little something to help keep me positive in light of the tragedies that surround us.

( by the way, our pink lion is my favourite!)

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Oma Doll

Meet Oma doll.

My youngest daughter asked me to make her a doll that looked like her late Oma shortly after she passed away. It shook me at first, but I started to work on it over the summer and am 98% finished. It was emotionally draining for me, but perhaps it was a little bit healing too.

My best friend asked me what the heck I was doing making this doll, and all I said was I think this is what my girl needs to heal, and if this helps her, than I have to make it. It is all hand sewn, and made with more love than I have put into making anything before.

My daughter hugged it tonight, and I know it was the right thing to do. It still hurts like crazy, but we have each other, and take one day at a time.

On another note, I just got back two of mom's quilt tops that I had sent out to be quilted. I just have to do the binding and they are ready to be given away. One is for my oldest daughter, and while I am going to try to have it ready for her birthday, it might end up being for Christmas.

It's nice having a few of these projects end as I feel I have so many on the go. But again, one day at a time.

I miss you mom.