Thank you Mom!!!

My mom taught me not to give up. She was there encouraging and supporting me. I was rebellious in Grade 7 almost failing, but for the last semester she spent countless hours at that kitchen table - reteaching the Canadian explorers, trying to improve my grammer, going over my fractions and how to get organized to do a report/essay ( I passed). The photo above is my college graduation from George Brown College in the Health Record Administration Program. My mom's brother Alan and wife Dee came from Montreal to join in the celebration. Though he was not in the photo - my brother Bruce attended too. My mom showed by continuing to keep the communication lines open, how beautiful a relationship can blossom and grow.

Thanks for your shoulder mom (oh and plenty of kleenex boxes too). We have had to face some pretty huge trials through the years. But we have learned that we are there for each other, only wanting the best and happiness of one another. Thank you for your endless years of support and encouragement as I find my footing to spread my own wings especially these last few years as I made the move out
West.

Thank you for showing me the great healing in laughing - sharing the great memories from the past or in that moment. The importance of giving someone a smile to possibly brighten their day. The warmth of the human touch - your cares seem to drift away when you receive or give someone a hug. Might seem like a small thing, but I remember the first hug after your reconstruction surgery - it was a soft hug. It was the best hug - probably knowing too that you survived your postoperative complication made it all that more special to me - the beginning of the closeness we have today.

I was sharing yesterday that one of the earliest memories that you showed me is the importance to say "Thank You" and "I Love You" and to stay in touch with those important to you. Growing up, at least once a month on a Sunday, you would gather Bruce, myself and Kathryn in the kitchen as you called our grandmothers and we all took turns sharing a little. At Christmas as well as throughout the year, you showed us the importance of sending a Thank You card/letter to our relatives/friends who gave us presents or to send a note to say hi and share something - I usually shared right off the weather of Thunder Bay in those letters - everyone thought I was going to become a meterologist!

Wishing you a Happy Mother's Day Mom. I just want you to know that you are important to me and the examples I have shared are only a few of things you have taught me over the years. It has been so awesome to reflect, looking back to where our relationship changed from parent/child to adult/adult - thank you for not only being my mom but becoming a special friend in my life. I look forward to what the future hold for us - the adventures and memories that lay ahead.

Love you always, your daughter Laura Jean