Mom, I remember when I was a kid, coming to you b/c someone at school didn't like me or wasn't nice to me. You said, "Well, not everyone is going to like you, dear." I just couldn't understand why or how that could be true. It still perplexes me now.
A couple years ago, a lady I know said something similar that I want to always remember;
What you or anyone else think of me is none of my damn business!
When I first heard this, I disagreed with the comment. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized the meaning behind it. Now, I get it. Now, I'm starting to agree with it.
I'm not always going to be liked. I'm not always going to be appreciated. I'm not always going to be accepted. Sometimes, people just won't like me. For whatever reason. While there are countless people out there that love and adore me, there's one or two people that don't.
While I'm still perplexed by this, just like when I was a kid, I also realize that it's maybe not my "stuff". Maybe it's not about me. Maybe I just have to accept it and let it go.
Today, I was reminded that there's at least one person out there in the world that just does not like me. It's sad. I'm sad. I really don't know why they don't. But they don't. It bothers me a bit but I have learned that it's not really about me sometimes and maybe I just have to not worry or care so much about this and spend more time caring about the people that love me.
Mom, you said it best when I was a kid, "not everyone is going to like me", and you have always lived the best way to respond to this - by being true to yourself and what is right, by not sucking up to people just b/c they want you to, by not getting sucked in to other people's drama or passive-aggressive behaviour...You are always just yourself, your best self, nothing more - nothing less, just you (which is always more than enough), and you consistently show me that living intentionally is about living life openly and honestly and not worrying so much about what others think, because, really, not everyone's going to like me and that's none of my damn business, anyway!
Thanks Mom!
I'm learning...albiet slowly!
Love you,
Crystal
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Creating our opus.
A long time ago, I saw the movie, Mr Holland's Opus. It is one of those movies that you just never forget. It's inspiring, dramatic, heart-felt and moving. I could see myself in the characters and it caused me to think about my own "opus" or "life's work". The dictionary definition of opus is a "great work, especially a literary or artistic masterpiece". In terms of one's "opus", I think LIFE could be that "great artistic masterpiece".
After seeing the movie, I started a group called, "The Opus Group". It's a gathering where friends get together to do anything motivating or inspiring - from making vision boards to painting. Every one's invited. Friends, friends of friends, and strangers who become new friends.
We don't meet very often but when we do, it's always wonderful.
My friend Rosanne is usually part of The Opus Group. We've known each other for years. Probably a decade or more. We're the kind of friends that you don't have to see each other or talk to one another every day - but we're always there for one another. And we're the kind of friends that tell each other the truth - even if it hurts.
It was Rosanne's basement suite that I moved into when I got divorced. She's the one who picked me up off the floor or the couch and got me outside, where the sun was shining, when I couldn't do it on my own at that time and I think I helped her find hope when she needed it. I'm so grateful for this friendship!
About a year and a half ago, we were talking about our wants, dreams, goals.....of getting married, having kids and everything in between.
What a difference a year makes!
Yesterday, I went to Rosanne's to help her...into her wedding dress. She's getting married in a few weeks and wanted to make sure it still fit...b/c she and her fiance are having a baby! TOTALLY AMAZING! I am so excited for her!
It's been said before that life's like a blank canvas and we are the artist who gets to paint whatever they want it on it. It's true. I'm so excited that Rosanne's masterpiece is looking exactly as she dreamed it to be.
Mine is too. Just at a different pace. But I have a lot of faith that I'm on the right track! I've never been more sure of my life's work or where it is leading me. I've never had so much faith in God either. Perhaps there's a correlation.For the record, Mom - NO - I'm not getting married and I'm NOT pregnant! You'll be the first to know! :) I promise!
Love you, Mom.
Thank you for the incredible masterpiece you have painted with your life and for the inspiration to be brave and create my own opus, too.
Love Crystal
Monday, March 29, 2010
It's time to go gallivanting - without expectation but lots of hope.
When I was 17, graduating from highschool, I wanted to travel the world. My mom said no. She said I was too young to go off gallivanting around the world. I didn't know what the word "gallivanting" meant but I said that I was definitely old enough to do whatever it was!
Her answer was "no".
Well, that is...until I said I wanted to become an exchange student! I asked if I could go travelling AND become an exchange student. She said she'd think about it.
("Thinking about it" really meant yes....except that caveat attached went something like this, "You just have to wait a while...I don't want to appear too lenient. Ask me again in a day or two...and we'll talk about it".)
And we did.
I had visions of seeing the world and all that it had to offer!
Before I knew it, just a few days after graduating from highschool, I was on a plane to Australia to "see the world"...or so I thought!
I was about to embark on a life-changing experience! That much, I knew. What I didn't know was just how much my life would change in ways that I had never ever imagined!
As an exchange student, I was selected by a family with whom I would live for 6 months. I knew a little about them and they knew maybe just a little more about me. I knew they had 5 boys in their family. They knew I had 9 siblings. I knew they lived in a small city in Queensland, Australia. They knew I came from SK, Canada. I knew I'd have my own room. They knew that before long, all the little boys would be in it! I didn't know it then, but I think the mother of the family chose me b/c I came from such a large family and b/c I was a girl. She wanted another female in the house for her sons to be around.
When I arrived in Australia, my vision of travelling the world sort of vanished. I met this amazing family with 5 kids and 2 parents, all even more excited than I was to be there! (And boy, was I excited!) I went to a school, not that I had thought much about that part of the trip, but I guess that was the exchange "student" part. It wasn't "exchange travel" or "exchange holiday"...it was "exchange student"! Perhaps I should have thought a little further into this!
Then, to make matters even more hars, I attended an ALL GIRLS SCHOOL RUN BY NUNS! This was NOT the sort of vision I had of making my way around the world! Not by a long shot! An all-girl's school run by nuns! You've got to be kidding!
But life has a way of working itself out...and my great expectations of seeing so many other places didn't seem so important when I was surrounded by 5 fabulous boys ranging in age from 15 down to 3, along with a mother that needed me and new father that adored me. In my 6 months there, I think I went away on weekend-trips 3 or 4 times, tops. And that was enough, for the most part. (I did enjoy gallivanting around on those weekend trips with my soon to be best friend, Julie...but I was glad to get home to my little brothers, too.) I remember one time I went away for 3 days to the coast. When I got home, my mother said "You can't leave again. Peter didn't eat the entire time you were gone." He didn't.
The 3 youngest boys spent a lot of time with me, mostly hanging on my pant leg, cuddling and watching TV and/or up in my room, sitting on my bed playing with whatever they could find. The two older boys and I spent time running through the field, climbing under the fence and watching movies at the drive-in theatre adjacent to their property...or playing tricks on each other! We played a lot of tricks on eachother! Especially Paul and I. We had a blast together!
Although I couldn't articulate it then, what I learned was to have lots of hope and not much expectation.... about a lot of things. I learned to let go of my preconceived ideas of what I thought I wanted the vision to be and just be filled with hope and without expectation.
I might have learned this then...but the lesson about "expectation" has been forgotten and relearned many times since my time as an exchange student in 1988.
When I was there, I met some amazing girl-friends, one of whom I will remember forever. Her name was Julie. She and I became inseparable. Best friends. She told me that she prayed for a best friend in her senior year and I was the answer to her prayers. She was also the answer to mine. Bold and confident were Julie's middle names. Mine were "people-pleaser" and "accommodating". She taught me to stand up for what I wanted and to live life a little more for myself. I am not sure what I taught her, but the last few days I spent in Australia, the tears of friendship that we cried told me that we had both learned a lot.
At our graduation, they played the song "Friends" by Michael W. Smith. To this day, I will remember that song and the feeling I had while standing in a big circle with my graduating class...a class that welcomed me with open arms and embraced me instantly, never (it felt) wanting to let me go.
And then there was those 5 little brothers of mine. I loved them so much. Still do. When I went back to Australia in 2003 to do an ironman race there, I saw a few of my bro's and my Australian mother. How small the world really is! Things go full circle...and now David, the youngest who was 3 at the time, is all grown up and soon to be managing my hostel in just a couple weeks! How lucky am I!
I still have this insatiable desire to go gallivanting around the world. Now, with much less expectation of what and how my trips will shape up to be...but with a lot more hope than ever before.
Hope that I discover and see the world and all that it has to offer.
Hope that the people who cross my path are there for a reason (or a season or a lifetime) and that I'm there (for them) for the same.
Hope that no matter what happens, it's always for the best.
Hope that, somewhere out there (wherever "there" is), I'll make the world and people's lives a bit brighter b/c I was traveling there.
And hope that, no matter where gallivanting leads...I'm always living from a place in my heart.
Going to Australia years ago was truly where my heart was intended to go....I'm so glad my mom said "I'll think about it." when she probalby had more than enough on her mind already!
Mom,
As I see you off gallivanting these days, without expectation but lots of hope, you inspire me to get out and do the same!
love you,
Crystal
In this photo, Julie and I are on the left. We were truly inseparable for those 6 months! The other girls were in our little "group" and were lovely, but Julie and I were two peas in a pod.
Thank God I went to an all-girl's school run by nuns. Looking like this, there was no way I was ever going to get a date! :)
Her answer was "no".
Well, that is...until I said I wanted to become an exchange student! I asked if I could go travelling AND become an exchange student. She said she'd think about it.
("Thinking about it" really meant yes....except that caveat attached went something like this, "You just have to wait a while...I don't want to appear too lenient. Ask me again in a day or two...and we'll talk about it".)
And we did.
I had visions of seeing the world and all that it had to offer!
Before I knew it, just a few days after graduating from highschool, I was on a plane to Australia to "see the world"...or so I thought!
I was about to embark on a life-changing experience! That much, I knew. What I didn't know was just how much my life would change in ways that I had never ever imagined!
As an exchange student, I was selected by a family with whom I would live for 6 months. I knew a little about them and they knew maybe just a little more about me. I knew they had 5 boys in their family. They knew I had 9 siblings. I knew they lived in a small city in Queensland, Australia. They knew I came from SK, Canada. I knew I'd have my own room. They knew that before long, all the little boys would be in it! I didn't know it then, but I think the mother of the family chose me b/c I came from such a large family and b/c I was a girl. She wanted another female in the house for her sons to be around.
When I arrived in Australia, my vision of travelling the world sort of vanished. I met this amazing family with 5 kids and 2 parents, all even more excited than I was to be there! (And boy, was I excited!) I went to a school, not that I had thought much about that part of the trip, but I guess that was the exchange "student" part. It wasn't "exchange travel" or "exchange holiday"...it was "exchange student"! Perhaps I should have thought a little further into this!
Then, to make matters even more hars, I attended an ALL GIRLS SCHOOL RUN BY NUNS! This was NOT the sort of vision I had of making my way around the world! Not by a long shot! An all-girl's school run by nuns! You've got to be kidding!
But life has a way of working itself out...and my great expectations of seeing so many other places didn't seem so important when I was surrounded by 5 fabulous boys ranging in age from 15 down to 3, along with a mother that needed me and new father that adored me. In my 6 months there, I think I went away on weekend-trips 3 or 4 times, tops. And that was enough, for the most part. (I did enjoy gallivanting around on those weekend trips with my soon to be best friend, Julie...but I was glad to get home to my little brothers, too.) I remember one time I went away for 3 days to the coast. When I got home, my mother said "You can't leave again. Peter didn't eat the entire time you were gone." He didn't.
The 3 youngest boys spent a lot of time with me, mostly hanging on my pant leg, cuddling and watching TV and/or up in my room, sitting on my bed playing with whatever they could find. The two older boys and I spent time running through the field, climbing under the fence and watching movies at the drive-in theatre adjacent to their property...or playing tricks on each other! We played a lot of tricks on eachother! Especially Paul and I. We had a blast together!
Although I couldn't articulate it then, what I learned was to have lots of hope and not much expectation.... about a lot of things. I learned to let go of my preconceived ideas of what I thought I wanted the vision to be and just be filled with hope and without expectation.
I might have learned this then...but the lesson about "expectation" has been forgotten and relearned many times since my time as an exchange student in 1988.
When I was there, I met some amazing girl-friends, one of whom I will remember forever. Her name was Julie. She and I became inseparable. Best friends. She told me that she prayed for a best friend in her senior year and I was the answer to her prayers. She was also the answer to mine. Bold and confident were Julie's middle names. Mine were "people-pleaser" and "accommodating". She taught me to stand up for what I wanted and to live life a little more for myself. I am not sure what I taught her, but the last few days I spent in Australia, the tears of friendship that we cried told me that we had both learned a lot.
At our graduation, they played the song "Friends" by Michael W. Smith. To this day, I will remember that song and the feeling I had while standing in a big circle with my graduating class...a class that welcomed me with open arms and embraced me instantly, never (it felt) wanting to let me go.
And then there was those 5 little brothers of mine. I loved them so much. Still do. When I went back to Australia in 2003 to do an ironman race there, I saw a few of my bro's and my Australian mother. How small the world really is! Things go full circle...and now David, the youngest who was 3 at the time, is all grown up and soon to be managing my hostel in just a couple weeks! How lucky am I!
I still have this insatiable desire to go gallivanting around the world. Now, with much less expectation of what and how my trips will shape up to be...but with a lot more hope than ever before.
Hope that I discover and see the world and all that it has to offer.
Hope that the people who cross my path are there for a reason (or a season or a lifetime) and that I'm there (for them) for the same.
Hope that no matter what happens, it's always for the best.
Hope that, somewhere out there (wherever "there" is), I'll make the world and people's lives a bit brighter b/c I was traveling there.
And hope that, no matter where gallivanting leads...I'm always living from a place in my heart.
Going to Australia years ago was truly where my heart was intended to go....I'm so glad my mom said "I'll think about it." when she probalby had more than enough on her mind already!
Mom,
As I see you off gallivanting these days, without expectation but lots of hope, you inspire me to get out and do the same!
love you,
Crystal
In this photo, Julie and I are on the left. We were truly inseparable for those 6 months! The other girls were in our little "group" and were lovely, but Julie and I were two peas in a pod.
Thank God I went to an all-girl's school run by nuns. Looking like this, there was no way I was ever going to get a date! :)
Eat some protien and get some sleep!
And that's exactly what I did this weekend!
After flying home with Gwen at noon on Saturday, I went home and slept on and off until Sunday at noon!
I needed it! I was exhausted!
After the Gala on Friday night, I was up until 5:30am making sure that all that I could do was done; everything in storage; money raised at the event was safe and secure; bags were pretty much packed, etc. Then I crawled into bed beside Gwen (we shared a hotel room all week) and crashed/slept hard for almost 2 hours, until it was time to get up. Kate stayed an extra day to spend it with her daughter Ashley, who came from Montreal for the Gala.
I made a few rounds down the hallway at the hotel, knocking on doors, saying goodbye to nieces/nephews and just before we left, we had a few minutes of sister-bonding time with Kate, Cindy, Gwen and myself in the hotel restaurant. I think our brothers were still fast asleep since they didn't hear my knock at their doors and they were not down for breakfast.
Gwen and I drove the 30 min to the store to drop off some things before heading to the airport. We were both exhausted. We talked about how flawless the event went, did a "high-5" with eachother and then she said, "no more talking - I have to nap".
We made it to our flight. Slept. Got back to Kelowna and I think we both had afternoon naps and spent most of Saturday asleep, smiling.
It's Monday morning and I finally feel like I'm back in the land of the living. Saturday and Sunday were a blur.
Where does living intentionally take me today?
It takes me back to taking care of my body...which I forgot about the past 4 or 5 days! My first few days in Edmonton were great - I worked out last Friday -to Monday - but then, work took over and I didn't make time to exercise, eat right or take care of the engine that takes me where I want and need to go the remainder of the week. And I certainly didn't get enough sleep!
So...here we go!
Time to reconsider and review the questions that make up the foundation of life...4 simple questions that I learned in a self-development program years ago:
1. what am I putting into my body?
2. what am I doing with my body?
3. what am I putting into my mind?
4. am I following my life's calling or purpose?
With that...I start my day, wrapping up my last project, the Gala, with a bow, breathing, and beginning the next one...the Diva Retreat!
Mom, I remember when I moved to Kelowna in February of 1995. It was February 12th. I drove into town at dark. I had my apartment that I rented, organized, and I picked up the keys. When I opened the door, though, it was so cold. The heat had not been turned on. I was freezing! I went out to the Safeway a few blocks away and I can remember calling you from the pay phone, inside the store, that was situated right next to the chicken rotisserie. I can remember the smell of baked chicken so easily. When I called you, I was tired, hungry, crying and alone. You said two things that have been medicine for me to this day.
You said, "Eat some protein" and "Go get some sleep"!
I did just that. I bought one of those chickens that were going 'round and 'round in the glass-doored rotisserie along with some oranges. Then, I went home, made myself a bed with some blankets on the floor, sat and ate, had a bath (the water was steaming hot) and fell asleep until morning.
Life always seems better when you're warm, not tired and when you've had enough protein.
Thanks, Mom.
Love you,
Crystal
After flying home with Gwen at noon on Saturday, I went home and slept on and off until Sunday at noon!
I needed it! I was exhausted!
After the Gala on Friday night, I was up until 5:30am making sure that all that I could do was done; everything in storage; money raised at the event was safe and secure; bags were pretty much packed, etc. Then I crawled into bed beside Gwen (we shared a hotel room all week) and crashed/slept hard for almost 2 hours, until it was time to get up. Kate stayed an extra day to spend it with her daughter Ashley, who came from Montreal for the Gala.
I made a few rounds down the hallway at the hotel, knocking on doors, saying goodbye to nieces/nephews and just before we left, we had a few minutes of sister-bonding time with Kate, Cindy, Gwen and myself in the hotel restaurant. I think our brothers were still fast asleep since they didn't hear my knock at their doors and they were not down for breakfast.
Gwen and I drove the 30 min to the store to drop off some things before heading to the airport. We were both exhausted. We talked about how flawless the event went, did a "high-5" with eachother and then she said, "no more talking - I have to nap".
We made it to our flight. Slept. Got back to Kelowna and I think we both had afternoon naps and spent most of Saturday asleep, smiling.
It's Monday morning and I finally feel like I'm back in the land of the living. Saturday and Sunday were a blur.
Where does living intentionally take me today?
It takes me back to taking care of my body...which I forgot about the past 4 or 5 days! My first few days in Edmonton were great - I worked out last Friday -to Monday - but then, work took over and I didn't make time to exercise, eat right or take care of the engine that takes me where I want and need to go the remainder of the week. And I certainly didn't get enough sleep!
So...here we go!
Time to reconsider and review the questions that make up the foundation of life...4 simple questions that I learned in a self-development program years ago:
1. what am I putting into my body?
2. what am I doing with my body?
3. what am I putting into my mind?
4. am I following my life's calling or purpose?
With that...I start my day, wrapping up my last project, the Gala, with a bow, breathing, and beginning the next one...the Diva Retreat!
Mom, I remember when I moved to Kelowna in February of 1995. It was February 12th. I drove into town at dark. I had my apartment that I rented, organized, and I picked up the keys. When I opened the door, though, it was so cold. The heat had not been turned on. I was freezing! I went out to the Safeway a few blocks away and I can remember calling you from the pay phone, inside the store, that was situated right next to the chicken rotisserie. I can remember the smell of baked chicken so easily. When I called you, I was tired, hungry, crying and alone. You said two things that have been medicine for me to this day.
You said, "Eat some protein" and "Go get some sleep"!
I did just that. I bought one of those chickens that were going 'round and 'round in the glass-doored rotisserie along with some oranges. Then, I went home, made myself a bed with some blankets on the floor, sat and ate, had a bath (the water was steaming hot) and fell asleep until morning.
Life always seems better when you're warm, not tired and when you've had enough protein.
Thanks, Mom.
Love you,
Crystal
Sunday, March 28, 2010
What it means to be "blessed".
What does it mean to be "blessed"?
Well, being "blessed" means a lot of things...
It's also NOT a lot of things....
It's not always easy and it doesn't come easy, either. It's not without effort. It's certainly not for the faint of heart. It's part "God-given" and part "self-perseverance". At least that's what my mom says.
I remember my mom saying, more times than I can count, "Perseverance. Perseverance."
Yes, being blessed is part God-given and part perseverance. And at different times....the ratio of these two ingredients changes. Sometimes, I think we're blessed - 100% by God. Other times, I think we need to put in 100% perseverance to be blessed. Most of the time, I think it's a mix of the two...
Here's a little of what being blessed means to me...
It means that I'm never alone. (I had so much help this week from my sisters in planning this event along with everyone at work.) I'm surrounded by love and support. (There was never a moment that I felt like all the load was only on my shoulders. Everyone supported the vision to coordinate a flawless event.) I'm given grace (forgiveness) when I am not perfect. (I was really busy and nobody minded that I didn't always have time for them this week.) Being blessed means that it's OK to ask for help and that help is given without a moment's delay. (When I needed help during the gala, I went to my nieces and nephews and asked them for help...and instantly they were there, with their boyfriends/girlfriends, going above and beyond to do what I needed. I was so grateful!) Being blessed, for me, means that I'm grateful for what I have and that I have what I need. (I think our whole family felt grateful for eachother on Friday night. I think we felt grateful to be born into this blessed family. We have so much more than we need in every way....love, security, health, a positive attitude, a feeling of gratitude, a belief that anything is possible and the desire to make a difference in the world in our own way.) Being blessed also means happiness, joy, fun and laughter! (We had a whole lot of that on Friday night, just being in eachothers presence!)
Mom, we missed you. But you were there every moment - with 8 of your 10 kids...and all those grandkids...that are sooo "all grown up" now!
My God, Mom. You have a very blessed family...thanks to your perseverance and God-given blessing.
Love you,
Crystal
PS: which two of your grandkids are here?
Well, being "blessed" means a lot of things...
It's also NOT a lot of things....
It's not always easy and it doesn't come easy, either. It's not without effort. It's certainly not for the faint of heart. It's part "God-given" and part "self-perseverance". At least that's what my mom says.
I remember my mom saying, more times than I can count, "Perseverance. Perseverance."
Yes, being blessed is part God-given and part perseverance. And at different times....the ratio of these two ingredients changes. Sometimes, I think we're blessed - 100% by God. Other times, I think we need to put in 100% perseverance to be blessed. Most of the time, I think it's a mix of the two...
Here's a little of what being blessed means to me...
It means that I'm never alone. (I had so much help this week from my sisters in planning this event along with everyone at work.) I'm surrounded by love and support. (There was never a moment that I felt like all the load was only on my shoulders. Everyone supported the vision to coordinate a flawless event.) I'm given grace (forgiveness) when I am not perfect. (I was really busy and nobody minded that I didn't always have time for them this week.) Being blessed means that it's OK to ask for help and that help is given without a moment's delay. (When I needed help during the gala, I went to my nieces and nephews and asked them for help...and instantly they were there, with their boyfriends/girlfriends, going above and beyond to do what I needed. I was so grateful!) Being blessed, for me, means that I'm grateful for what I have and that I have what I need. (I think our whole family felt grateful for eachother on Friday night. I think we felt grateful to be born into this blessed family. We have so much more than we need in every way....love, security, health, a positive attitude, a feeling of gratitude, a belief that anything is possible and the desire to make a difference in the world in our own way.) Being blessed also means happiness, joy, fun and laughter! (We had a whole lot of that on Friday night, just being in eachothers presence!)
Mom, we missed you. But you were there every moment - with 8 of your 10 kids...and all those grandkids...that are sooo "all grown up" now!
My God, Mom. You have a very blessed family...thanks to your perseverance and God-given blessing.
Love you,
Crystal
PS: which two of your grandkids are here?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Living intentionally = family
Living intentionally = Family = Friendship And Miracles Inspiring Love (in) You!
Mom, I thought of this little meaning of what family could mean...
Friendship and miracles...that inspire love in me.
Our family really is all about creating friendship and miracles that inspire love in you (and me).
Tonight, we're 6 out of 10 kids together! That, in itself is a miracle! The rest will be here soon! We wish you were here.
Here's a photo from tonight's dinner. Sushi and salad - sitting on the floor in the hotel room at the Westin! This really is what living intentionally is about. Taking time. Friendship. Creating miracles in each other's lives. Inspiring love in one another. And sharing it.
Our brothers were having a business meeting...and of course, I had to interrupt it to give them each a hug! Mom, when Rudy saw me, he stood up and the happiness on his face was amazing. I felt so loved. It was only a moment in time but I won't forget it. It was a small miracle. A God-Wink for sure.
It's late and I have so much yet to do...so I better go for now.
I love you.
Thank you for your friendship and miracles taht inspire love in me.
Crystal
PS you really are like the marshmallow in rice-crispy cake.
Mom, I thought of this little meaning of what family could mean...
Friendship and miracles...that inspire love in me.
Our family really is all about creating friendship and miracles that inspire love in you (and me).
Tonight, we're 6 out of 10 kids together! That, in itself is a miracle! The rest will be here soon! We wish you were here.
Here's a photo from tonight's dinner. Sushi and salad - sitting on the floor in the hotel room at the Westin! This really is what living intentionally is about. Taking time. Friendship. Creating miracles in each other's lives. Inspiring love in one another. And sharing it.
Our brothers were having a business meeting...and of course, I had to interrupt it to give them each a hug! Mom, when Rudy saw me, he stood up and the happiness on his face was amazing. I felt so loved. It was only a moment in time but I won't forget it. It was a small miracle. A God-Wink for sure.
It's late and I have so much yet to do...so I better go for now.
I love you.
Thank you for your friendship and miracles taht inspire love in me.
Crystal
PS you really are like the marshmallow in rice-crispy cake.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Let go...
Sometimes it's good to just "Let go..."
It's Wednesday night and we're in the middle of an enormous week, planning the gala. It's 12:30am. Gwen and Kate are still bantering back and forth about a million different topics and I am (trying to ignore Gwen's non-stop jokes), sitting at my computer at 12:30am, pouring over ballroom floorplans, details, to-do lists and the script for the MC.
I realize that living intentionally is about "letting go" today. It would be impossible to try to hold on to everything and do it all. Not that I would want to. That would be crazy! Instant stress. A serious fun-buster!
That would not be good...especially because the name of the game...is to have fun!
The name of the game IS to have fun. And with Gwen around...it certainly is.
Life is so much easier when I don't hold on too tightly. When I let things flow. When we're surrounded by a great team and everyone works together, with no one really controlling everything. Everyone just does their part...
Kate has taken over the silent auction items, categorizing them, organizing them...she's so detail-oriented!
Gwen is in charge of table centerpieces and all creativity. She finds creative solutions for everything.
Rocky and Mark have taken care of all live auction items and a million other things.
Corinne has been in charge of purchasing most of the auction items.
Syndy is in charge of all ticket sales and hotel room bookings and we've worked together on the master plan and big picture. She is one of the most committed and hardest workers I know. I'm in awe.
Connecting the different areas together...together, we will create the most amazing event for over 400 guests. I see everyone else doing so much and I wonder, "what am I doing". I'm sort of involved a little everywhere, taking care of details, finalizing things, making some inspiring videos to show at the event, and liaising with everyone for the MC script, agenda, etc. I am learning that I have an ability to "hold a vision" for something...and then as a team, everyone brings it to life. It's humbling to be around such focus, strong work-ethic and action of everyone.
The simple concept of letting go is another secret ingredient, in addition to HUMOUR and finding something to laugh at, at least 20, 30 or 40 times/day.
Today, I remind myself to...
Let go...
Let go of perfection. Control. Having to do it all. Let go of knowing how something is to get done and focus, instead, on just that it gets done. (Firm on principles - flexible on method.) Let go of the clock. Let go of my own specific agenda. Let go of seriousness. Let go of the need to be right. Let go...
And...
Embrace the vision. Embrace friendship. Embrace fun. Embrace laughter - on the hour, every hour and as many times as possible in between. Embrace connection. Embrace helping one another. Embrace slowing down, even just for a moment. Embrace eating well and exercising. Embrace creativity and different ways of doing things.
And when the work is done on Friday night, and the music starts...embrace dancing!
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This photo was taken two years ago at the gala. I'm hoping for at least an hour of dancing with my brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, old friends and new friends on Friday night....
This is a photo from last year. Can you believe this is your family? Wow! The countdown is on! Everyone starts arriving today!
Mom,
Love you...
We'll take lots of photos!
love Crystal
PS Your other two daughters are hilarious...and the hardest workers I've ever seen!
It's Wednesday night and we're in the middle of an enormous week, planning the gala. It's 12:30am. Gwen and Kate are still bantering back and forth about a million different topics and I am (trying to ignore Gwen's non-stop jokes), sitting at my computer at 12:30am, pouring over ballroom floorplans, details, to-do lists and the script for the MC.
I realize that living intentionally is about "letting go" today. It would be impossible to try to hold on to everything and do it all. Not that I would want to. That would be crazy! Instant stress. A serious fun-buster!
That would not be good...especially because the name of the game...is to have fun!
The name of the game IS to have fun. And with Gwen around...it certainly is.
Life is so much easier when I don't hold on too tightly. When I let things flow. When we're surrounded by a great team and everyone works together, with no one really controlling everything. Everyone just does their part...
Kate has taken over the silent auction items, categorizing them, organizing them...she's so detail-oriented!
Gwen is in charge of table centerpieces and all creativity. She finds creative solutions for everything.
Rocky and Mark have taken care of all live auction items and a million other things.
Corinne has been in charge of purchasing most of the auction items.
Syndy is in charge of all ticket sales and hotel room bookings and we've worked together on the master plan and big picture. She is one of the most committed and hardest workers I know. I'm in awe.
Connecting the different areas together...together, we will create the most amazing event for over 400 guests. I see everyone else doing so much and I wonder, "what am I doing". I'm sort of involved a little everywhere, taking care of details, finalizing things, making some inspiring videos to show at the event, and liaising with everyone for the MC script, agenda, etc. I am learning that I have an ability to "hold a vision" for something...and then as a team, everyone brings it to life. It's humbling to be around such focus, strong work-ethic and action of everyone.
The simple concept of letting go is another secret ingredient, in addition to HUMOUR and finding something to laugh at, at least 20, 30 or 40 times/day.
Today, I remind myself to...
Let go...
Let go of perfection. Control. Having to do it all. Let go of knowing how something is to get done and focus, instead, on just that it gets done. (Firm on principles - flexible on method.) Let go of the clock. Let go of my own specific agenda. Let go of seriousness. Let go of the need to be right. Let go...
And...
Embrace the vision. Embrace friendship. Embrace fun. Embrace laughter - on the hour, every hour and as many times as possible in between. Embrace connection. Embrace helping one another. Embrace slowing down, even just for a moment. Embrace eating well and exercising. Embrace creativity and different ways of doing things.
And when the work is done on Friday night, and the music starts...embrace dancing!
.jpg)
This photo was taken two years ago at the gala. I'm hoping for at least an hour of dancing with my brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, old friends and new friends on Friday night....
This is a photo from last year. Can you believe this is your family? Wow! The countdown is on! Everyone starts arriving today!
Mom,
Love you...
We'll take lots of photos!
love Crystal
PS Your other two daughters are hilarious...and the hardest workers I've ever seen!
Courage, strength and faith...
I am listening to my intuition today...and finding the courage to trust it, the strength to allow it to lead me and the faith to follow it.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Humour...the greatest tool in life!
Humour really is the greatest tool in life. It builds friendship. Relieves stress. Opens doors. Creates connection. Feels sooo good. Makes work not feel like work. Fills the heart and spirit. And so much more....
Mom, it's been a BIG day!
Gwen arrived today! Kate is here! LIFE IS GOOD! We've been working our butt's off (literally!) and getting everything done for the Gala. Of course, with Gwen here...there is never a dull moment!
You definitely saved the best for last! Gwen is so funny, it's incredible! And when Tim, one of the employees on the team, and Gwen get together, we just laugh and laugh non-stop! And Kate is extraordinary...in every way!! Truly - the hardest worker I know...next to you! I gotta say....I don't know what I would do without them right now!
Tonight, at 8:30pm, we were still at the store. Laughing. Celebrating. Planning for tomorrow. And...drinking a little wine too.
It's been a GREAT day!
I love my sisters!
I love you!
See you on skype.
Love Crystal
PS: We are the luckiest family in the world. 3 brothers to arrive on Thursday and another sister on Friday...who could ask for more!
Mom, it's been a BIG day!
Gwen arrived today! Kate is here! LIFE IS GOOD! We've been working our butt's off (literally!) and getting everything done for the Gala. Of course, with Gwen here...there is never a dull moment!
You definitely saved the best for last! Gwen is so funny, it's incredible! And when Tim, one of the employees on the team, and Gwen get together, we just laugh and laugh non-stop! And Kate is extraordinary...in every way!! Truly - the hardest worker I know...next to you! I gotta say....I don't know what I would do without them right now!
Tonight, at 8:30pm, we were still at the store. Laughing. Celebrating. Planning for tomorrow. And...drinking a little wine too.
It's been a GREAT day!
I love my sisters!
I love you!
See you on skype.
Love Crystal
PS: We are the luckiest family in the world. 3 brothers to arrive on Thursday and another sister on Friday...who could ask for more!
Monday, March 22, 2010
BIG Dreams...without apology!
I am imagining BIG dreams and they are dancing in my mind and heart today!
It feels sooooo good!
It's late but it's finished. Finally!! My "90 Day Challenge" workbook is finally finished!!!!!!! Yay!!! I'm so excited! This is what the cover looks like!
I've been working on this project for the past 6 months(On and off. Well...more "off" than "on" but we made it!) It's finally finished. I just did a program in Alberta for one of my absolute favourite clients. I hope the group enjoy the workbook and I really hope it helps them get closer to their dreams, whatever they may be!
The 90 Day Challenge is a workbook that I made...
FOR ME...because I needed it!
I REALLY needed it!!
I needed a workbook or journal to help me stay focused on my dreams and goals and reduce distractions. I think other people might also have a dream they want to bring to life. I've heard it said that "we teach what we most need to learn" and I would agree that this is true for me. For the past decade I've been teaching business planning programs...and the fact that I teach business concepts to business owners...well, it's helped me to walk my talk and apply the stuff I teach to my own business. Teaching these programs has been the single greatest factor in my (humble) success so far. It's the same for my other personal development programs, speeches, retreats and workshops... It's a constant learning opportunity.
I am blessed.
This past year, I am so excited to be refining my programs and workshops...following my heart more and more - in work and life - (and not living so much in my head). It seems the more I get away from what I "thought" I was supposed to be, and just be my own silly, genuine, energetic self...WITHOUT APOLOGY...the closer I get to that place of indescribable effortless inspired joy.
Now...that's a place I want to be!
I'm so excited for the workbook to be finished and now I'm on to finishing my pocketbook, A Secret Dream, which is about a secret dream I had long ago. Everyone's got a secret dream...and I hope my workbook and pocketbook help people bring theirs' to life!
I've got a number of dreams dancing in my heart and head right now...
I don't know that I want to be on "dancing with the stars" but I really want to learn how to dance well! Maybe go into one of those fundraiser dance competitions. It's time! OMG...that would be so much FUN!
I'm also working on another dream. It's called a "six-pack". Yes. It might seem sort of dumb...but I've always wanted to be so fit that I had a six-pack...and this is the year! Sure....I'm already fit...but having a six-pack...now that's a category all it's own. I'm sure you're rolling your eyes, Mom, but I really think it would be cool to have a six-pack! I can imagine what it takes. The commitment. The dedication. The character. Not just physically....but mentally!
Every day, I'm learning that I really do need to simplify and focus on only a few dreams and ideas. I really cannot do "everything"....even though it's my natural tendency to want to try!
Another dream that I have is coming into focus!! Yay!
Adopting a village in 2010 and 2011! I've finally made a decision where my philanthropic efforts will be placed for part of 2010 and into 2011 and beyond!
When I was in Guatemala a couple weeks ago, I visited with my contacts and colleagues there. We got to talking about an indigenous community that we had visited a few times before. Well, they are looking to do some development to secure their community and future. Upon talking about this, I could feel myself get excited! I could feel my dream coming into clarity! It gave me tingles! It was one of those "inspired moments" and I just knew in my heart that what I was hearing was what I needed to hear! This is a photo of a girl that lives in the community. I can hardly wait to go back and see her in June!I think I'm high on life today! I'm running on adrenaline this week as well, preparing for this big gala. (Yes-I definitely am!) I'm also feeling the energy from my sister that just arrived and another that arrives tomorrow...followed by 8 out of 10 of us kids being together on Friday along with most of our nieces and nephews! And I'm totally excited about the little surprises and possibilities that every day brings. Yes...I am definitely high on life and high on my dreams today! I know there will be times in the future when I'll to the "ugly cry" and be sad for whatever reason...but today, the sun is shining so bright in my eyes that I can hardly see.
Thank you GOD!
Thank you MOM! It was so nice to see you on skype today! Thanks for the advice Mom and Don! :)
Love you,
Crystal
PS Mom, I'm also totally OVER THE TOP EXCITED about our DIVA Retreat! Check out the logo that Mel made! OMG - it's GORGEOUS!!! (I couldn't upload it as a pdf so the quality is poor b/c I took a photo of it on my screen and then uploaded that. But seriously, isn't it amazing?!)
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Pictures...
Ever since I was young, I wanted to be a photographer. I also wanted to be a number of other things including an RCMP officer, a journalist, a flight attendant, a travel-writer for the Lonely Planet, a teacher, a physiotherapist, a dancer, a singer (well...I still want to be a dancer and singer, actually)... and many other things....
But I really, really wanted to be a photographer!
I loved my very first camera - a Canon Sureshot. Then, when I went to university,I bought my first "big" camera and minor'd in Photography. Loved it! Every moment!
Absolutely every single moment! I was often in the dark-room until 3am...and even pulled the occasional all-night-er! Time went by in an instant. A blur. It just slipped away when I was with my camera.
For my year-end photography show, I played music by Connie Kaldor and depicted life on the prairies in years gone by and how the "family unit" was breaking down and in need of repair, just as the abandoned dwellings were breaking down and in need of attention. I roamed the back roads of Saskatchewan, looking for abandoned houses to take photos of.
When I was at home last, I found a bunch of my photos and work from my show. It brought back memories of how much I loved photography, how passionate I was about my hobby, how clear I was on my dream....and how "deep" I was for being in my early 20's. I was definitely NOT typical!
I still love photography today! Here are some of my favourite photos taken in more recent years.
These are just a few of my favourite photos...there are so many more!
It comes down to "pictures" for me today. Picturing exactly what I want.
I heard it said that, in life, "you don't get what you want...you get what you picture."
I feel like it's time to get clear on exactly what I want. And picture it. To see where I want to go and grow. There are always decisions to be made. Forks in the road to choose. Sometimes I'm not sure which way to go. I don't always trust my judgement. When it comes right down to it though, my heart always knows. My mind can easily play tricks on me, along with my ego...but my heart...and God...they always know the right way to go.
Yogo tea says... "The head must bow to the heart."
It's true.
The head must bow to the heart...and when I follow my heart, I don't think I've ever looked back.
Love you, Mom. Thank you for leading with your heart. Always!
Love Crystal
PS My friend, Alexandra, introduced me to a great song called "where my heart will take me" that has the most beautiful lyrics.
(Theme from TV series Enterprise, also known as Faith Of the Heart)
Lyrics by Diane Warren
It's been a long road, getting from there to here.
It's been a long time, but my time is finally near.
And I can feel the change in the wind right now. Nothing's in my way.
And they're not gonna hold me down no more, no they're not gonna hold me down.
Cause I've got faith of the heart.
I'm going where my heart will take me.
I've got faith to believe. I can do anything.
I've got strength of the soul. And no one's gonna bend or break me.
I can reach any star. I've got faith, faith of the heart.
It's been a long night. Trying to find my way.
Been through the darkness. Now I finally have my day.
And I will see my dream come alive at last. I will touch the sky.
And they're not gonna hold me down no more, no they're not gonna change my mind.
Cause I've got faith of the heart.
I'm going where my heart will take me.
I've got faith to believe. I can do anything.
I've got strength of the soul. And no one's gonna bend or break me.
I can reach any star. I've got faith, faith of the heart.
I've known the wind so cold, I've seen the darkest days.
But now the winds I feel, are only winds of change.
I've been through the fire and I've been through the rain.
But I'll be fine ...
Cause I've got faith of the heart.
I'm going where my heart will take me.
I've got faith to believe. I can do anything.
I've got strength of the soul. And no one's gonna bend or break me.
I can reach any star. I've got faith, faith of the heart.
Cause I've got faith of the heart.
I'm going where my heart will take me.
I've got faith to believe. I can do anything.
I've got strength of the soul. And no one's gonna bend or break me.
I can reach any star. I've got faith, faith of the heart.
The 3 best things...
Today, I woke up to the sound of that little "ping" on my phone...when someone sends you a text. All the text said was "good morning".
It is. Thank you. The sun is shining in my heart and head as well as outside. I feel fit and healthy and as I did a few stretches this morning, I realize how lucky I am to have this body that serves me so well.
I'm realizing that, every day, of the past 3 months of writing this blog for my mom, that it's the "little things" that are what living intentionally is all about. It's not some big, new, massive enlightenment or huge action or shift.
It's the little things.
Little things...that are really the big things.
Lastnight, an amazing girl I work with here in Edmonton, invited me over to their place for supper. It was so much fun. It was like going to a family member's home. They have the most wonderful, easygoing, relaxed and loving "way". I felt so welcome. It was wonderful. They have 2 dogs (and a 3rd gorgeous dog that unfortunately passed away this past summer that was with them for 10 or 15 years...and they have a cat too! They also have a daughter that i didn't get to meet as she was away for the weekend.
I just gotta get back to their cat. It was gorgeous! 30 pounds of gorgeous personality and fur! When I first came in to their home, this loving, purring bundle wrapped itself around my legs and then flipped over on my feet, wanting me to rub it's belly. OMG...i was in Heaven. I picked up the kitty and held it in my arms, hugging it close. Fur everywhere. Purring louder than a diesel engine (me - and, well, the cat was purring too!) :)
Anyway, the cat went outside...and in March in Edmonton...with white fur...not good...there's only one thing that's gonna happen when it comes inside...mud. dirt. everywhere.
So, Syndy and Clayton decided that, rather than deal with the mud and mess, it would be better to bath the cat. Now...I've never seen a cat being bathed before. Certainly not a 30 pound cat. But in the sink it went and out it came all clean and white again!
We laughed. The kitty didn't think it was that funny.
Being a part of Syndy and Clayton's home for the evening, and a part of their lives, outside of work, was truly wonderful. We ate. Talked. Laughed. I learned more about them. Like the fact that Syndy can play the piano so well that it gave me tingles and shivers on the back of my neck. Or that the two of them are renovating their home, by themselves, room by room. Very cool.
It was a wonderful evening and as I got back to my hotel, I pondered the 3 best things that happened to me today.
My sister, also named Cindy, but spelled differently, shared with me a ritual that she and her husband do every day. They have done it for years.
Each night, as they go to bed, they tell eachother the 3 best things that happened to them that day. VERY COOL IDEA!
The benefits of this little ritual are immeasurable. It would be a great reminder of all the wonderful things that happen each day. A perfect way to end the day, thinking about good things. It would create a feeling of gratitude. It would reduce worry, tension and stress. It would lead to a better sleep...which would lead to a better feeling upon waking up the next morning...wow...so many benefits!
I can imagine doing this with someone.
(Fleeting thoughts inside my head..."Gee, I hope to do this with someone for the rest of my life." ....another fleeting thought...."Live for today....not 10 years from now. Enjoy today and this moment."....another fleeting thought...."Patience. Patience! Good things come to those who wait." ...followed by another fleeting thought..."Wait....yes...but for how long?"....Hmmm....yet another fleeting thought...."my mother said she waited until she was 70!"....last fleeting thought...."Oh dear,that's way too long to wait!")
Dear GOD...can you do something about this?
Pulll-eaasssseeeeee!
So....the 3 best things that happened to me today...
1. Going for dinner at Syndy and Clayton's.
2. Working out and exercising until my but hurt. It's such a good feeling to be healthy enough to exercise.
3. Conversations with a few, very significant people in my life who make me think, feel and feel grateful that our paths have crossed. Whether it's for a reason, season or a lifetime, I'm so grateful and blessed to share this path right now. It's nice to be there for one another, to listen, share, help one another and grow.
4. Talking with my friend Mel today about our DIVA retreat and finalizing some of those details.
That's more than 3 but that's what comes to mind.
When I'm at home, one of the best parts of my day is Scotia. She's a light-weight compared to Syndy and Clayton's cat. She's only 20 pounds. And that's a lot! Scotia is truly one of the greatest parts of my day...filling it with love and affection. And so much more.
Mom, I hope you have a wonderful day. One of the greatest parts of my day, every day, is thinking of you, writing your blog, hoping you are enjoying it. Hoping you know how much you are loved and appreciated!
Love you,
Crystal
It is. Thank you. The sun is shining in my heart and head as well as outside. I feel fit and healthy and as I did a few stretches this morning, I realize how lucky I am to have this body that serves me so well.
I'm realizing that, every day, of the past 3 months of writing this blog for my mom, that it's the "little things" that are what living intentionally is all about. It's not some big, new, massive enlightenment or huge action or shift.
It's the little things.
Little things...that are really the big things.
Lastnight, an amazing girl I work with here in Edmonton, invited me over to their place for supper. It was so much fun. It was like going to a family member's home. They have the most wonderful, easygoing, relaxed and loving "way". I felt so welcome. It was wonderful. They have 2 dogs (and a 3rd gorgeous dog that unfortunately passed away this past summer that was with them for 10 or 15 years...and they have a cat too! They also have a daughter that i didn't get to meet as she was away for the weekend.
I just gotta get back to their cat. It was gorgeous! 30 pounds of gorgeous personality and fur! When I first came in to their home, this loving, purring bundle wrapped itself around my legs and then flipped over on my feet, wanting me to rub it's belly. OMG...i was in Heaven. I picked up the kitty and held it in my arms, hugging it close. Fur everywhere. Purring louder than a diesel engine (me - and, well, the cat was purring too!) :)
Anyway, the cat went outside...and in March in Edmonton...with white fur...not good...there's only one thing that's gonna happen when it comes inside...mud. dirt. everywhere.
So, Syndy and Clayton decided that, rather than deal with the mud and mess, it would be better to bath the cat. Now...I've never seen a cat being bathed before. Certainly not a 30 pound cat. But in the sink it went and out it came all clean and white again!
We laughed. The kitty didn't think it was that funny.
Being a part of Syndy and Clayton's home for the evening, and a part of their lives, outside of work, was truly wonderful. We ate. Talked. Laughed. I learned more about them. Like the fact that Syndy can play the piano so well that it gave me tingles and shivers on the back of my neck. Or that the two of them are renovating their home, by themselves, room by room. Very cool.
It was a wonderful evening and as I got back to my hotel, I pondered the 3 best things that happened to me today.
My sister, also named Cindy, but spelled differently, shared with me a ritual that she and her husband do every day. They have done it for years.
Each night, as they go to bed, they tell eachother the 3 best things that happened to them that day. VERY COOL IDEA!
The benefits of this little ritual are immeasurable. It would be a great reminder of all the wonderful things that happen each day. A perfect way to end the day, thinking about good things. It would create a feeling of gratitude. It would reduce worry, tension and stress. It would lead to a better sleep...which would lead to a better feeling upon waking up the next morning...wow...so many benefits!
I can imagine doing this with someone.
(Fleeting thoughts inside my head..."Gee, I hope to do this with someone for the rest of my life." ....another fleeting thought...."Live for today....not 10 years from now. Enjoy today and this moment."....another fleeting thought...."Patience. Patience! Good things come to those who wait." ...followed by another fleeting thought..."Wait....yes...but for how long?"....Hmmm....yet another fleeting thought...."my mother said she waited until she was 70!"....last fleeting thought...."Oh dear,that's way too long to wait!")
Dear GOD...can you do something about this?
Pulll-eaasssseeeeee!
So....the 3 best things that happened to me today...
1. Going for dinner at Syndy and Clayton's.
2. Working out and exercising until my but hurt. It's such a good feeling to be healthy enough to exercise.
3. Conversations with a few, very significant people in my life who make me think, feel and feel grateful that our paths have crossed. Whether it's for a reason, season or a lifetime, I'm so grateful and blessed to share this path right now. It's nice to be there for one another, to listen, share, help one another and grow.
4. Talking with my friend Mel today about our DIVA retreat and finalizing some of those details.
That's more than 3 but that's what comes to mind.
When I'm at home, one of the best parts of my day is Scotia. She's a light-weight compared to Syndy and Clayton's cat. She's only 20 pounds. And that's a lot! Scotia is truly one of the greatest parts of my day...filling it with love and affection. And so much more.
Mom, I hope you have a wonderful day. One of the greatest parts of my day, every day, is thinking of you, writing your blog, hoping you are enjoying it. Hoping you know how much you are loved and appreciated!
Love you,
Crystal
Friday, March 19, 2010
Slow down.
Today was one of those days that when I woke up, I just knew it was going to be my day. And it was. It was a day filled with some joyful moments, happy moments, pleasant surprising moments, along with some learning opportunities (disguised as difficult moments).
I just got to my hotel, here in Edmonton, after a day filled with all kinds of moments.
Tonight, after a great 1/2 day at work and my ritualistic trip to Chapters to browse all the beautiful books (and go to Starbucks to get some coffee for the morning and my other ritual (um, er...well, it could be an addiction...but lets call it a ritual instead).
At Chapters, I found this magazine called "Good". www.good.is
It reminded me of my favourite magazine, Ode, and both are very, very "good". Literally!
The cover of Good was enough to make me want to pick it up and check it out. The inside is as good or better than the captivating cover.
Seeing it was a sign. It made me slow down enough to stop and read it. So, not only was it a sign but it actually worked.
I look for signs. Always. And they always appear. Like God Winks. Because I decided to slow down at Chapters and browse a little more, I was able to hear my phone go off when my friend texted me. So, I texted back. And we ended up having a great conversation. This friend is the kind of friend that I take with me everywhere I go. Like my mom. I take her everywhere I go, too!
Mom, I think you know this, but I do take you everywhere I go. You're always with me on these sometimes hilarious adventures I find myself on, whether you want to be or not! :) There's a little piece of you that I carry with me always. You're always there with me. Always. And when ever I feel like celebrating, or when things are going really well, I feel you like wind beneath my wings. Truly. And, well, when things are not so good, I know I'm not alone b/c you're there during those times, too. It's very reassuring.
It's the same for this friend of mine, Mark. We met a number of years ago and I knew when we met that our paths were supposed to cross. Since that time, I've carried a tiny piece of this person with me, everywhere I go, too...along with my mom, siblings and a few other life-long friends and "forever friends". It sounds corny, but it's true.
There is a great quote by Flavia that comes to mind as I write this;
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same. "
— Flavia Weedn
I'm so grateful that I've had so many people come into my life and leave footprints on my heart. So many people in my life who have the courage to be totally honest and truthful with me. To build me up and tell me to get going. And to also tell me when to slow down.
That's the gift one of my most treasured friends said today.
SLOW DOWN!
And she's right. Although I am making huge strides (and I do mean huge) towards slowing down and creating a new plan over the past year (since last summer), I still have a ways to go.
It is time to focus, again. To redefine and clarify what I am doing and why. And to streamline my goals and dreams to be able to better keep them in the forefront of my mind....
My mom has often said to me, "Cryssie, you can do anything you want dear. Just not everything." This is one of those times that I need to be reminded of that.
Goodnight from Edmonton, in this cozy hotel room with a fireplace...and a vending machine on the first floor that has only calorie-free treats in it! haha.
Mom, love you! I can't wait to slow down with you this summer at the beach! Thank you for being such a wonderful mom and for always slowing down for us. For making time for us. For showing us what was most important in life. For leaving footprints everywhere on all of our hearts. By the way, I got a pack of cheezies from the vending machine in honour of you (and Kate...and maybe Don, too. He probably hasn't had any since Kate's been there last.) :)
Love Crystal
PS: the three best things that happened to me today were: waking up with a smile on my face, the strength of my friends to be so honest and truthful when they see me running a bit too fast, needing to slow down; and conversations with my Mom and a few friends that I absolutely adore.
PPS: thank you to my sister Cindy who reminded me of (this and) their little ritual...more on this tomorrow.
I just got to my hotel, here in Edmonton, after a day filled with all kinds of moments.
Tonight, after a great 1/2 day at work and my ritualistic trip to Chapters to browse all the beautiful books (and go to Starbucks to get some coffee for the morning and my other ritual (um, er...well, it could be an addiction...but lets call it a ritual instead).
At Chapters, I found this magazine called "Good". www.good.is
It reminded me of my favourite magazine, Ode, and both are very, very "good". Literally!
The cover of Good was enough to make me want to pick it up and check it out. The inside is as good or better than the captivating cover.
Seeing it was a sign. It made me slow down enough to stop and read it. So, not only was it a sign but it actually worked.
I look for signs. Always. And they always appear. Like God Winks. Because I decided to slow down at Chapters and browse a little more, I was able to hear my phone go off when my friend texted me. So, I texted back. And we ended up having a great conversation. This friend is the kind of friend that I take with me everywhere I go. Like my mom. I take her everywhere I go, too!
Mom, I think you know this, but I do take you everywhere I go. You're always with me on these sometimes hilarious adventures I find myself on, whether you want to be or not! :) There's a little piece of you that I carry with me always. You're always there with me. Always. And when ever I feel like celebrating, or when things are going really well, I feel you like wind beneath my wings. Truly. And, well, when things are not so good, I know I'm not alone b/c you're there during those times, too. It's very reassuring.
It's the same for this friend of mine, Mark. We met a number of years ago and I knew when we met that our paths were supposed to cross. Since that time, I've carried a tiny piece of this person with me, everywhere I go, too...along with my mom, siblings and a few other life-long friends and "forever friends". It sounds corny, but it's true.
There is a great quote by Flavia that comes to mind as I write this;
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same. "
— Flavia Weedn
I'm so grateful that I've had so many people come into my life and leave footprints on my heart. So many people in my life who have the courage to be totally honest and truthful with me. To build me up and tell me to get going. And to also tell me when to slow down.
That's the gift one of my most treasured friends said today.
SLOW DOWN!
And she's right. Although I am making huge strides (and I do mean huge) towards slowing down and creating a new plan over the past year (since last summer), I still have a ways to go.
It is time to focus, again. To redefine and clarify what I am doing and why. And to streamline my goals and dreams to be able to better keep them in the forefront of my mind....
My mom has often said to me, "Cryssie, you can do anything you want dear. Just not everything." This is one of those times that I need to be reminded of that.
Goodnight from Edmonton, in this cozy hotel room with a fireplace...and a vending machine on the first floor that has only calorie-free treats in it! haha.Mom, love you! I can't wait to slow down with you this summer at the beach! Thank you for being such a wonderful mom and for always slowing down for us. For making time for us. For showing us what was most important in life. For leaving footprints everywhere on all of our hearts. By the way, I got a pack of cheezies from the vending machine in honour of you (and Kate...and maybe Don, too. He probably hasn't had any since Kate's been there last.) :)
Love Crystal
PS: the three best things that happened to me today were: waking up with a smile on my face, the strength of my friends to be so honest and truthful when they see me running a bit too fast, needing to slow down; and conversations with my Mom and a few friends that I absolutely adore.
PPS: thank you to my sister Cindy who reminded me of (this and) their little ritual...more on this tomorrow.
Luck
Hi Mom,
Sorry that I've been AWOL for a couple days.
I'm back on track now after a day and a half of being on the GSD plan (Get S**t Done Plan).
I missed St. Patrick's Day here b/c I just got home from Calgary and was so exhausted that I just went to bed the other night.
So...here is one of my favourite photos, in honour of St. Patrick's day...of a bouquet of 4-leaf clovers that I found all one day, if you can believe it!
According to history (and the internet), the leaves represent 4 different things - one leaf for hope, one leaf for love, one leaf for health and one leaf for wealth.
The legend says that if you find a 4-leaf clover, you should put it in your shoe and it will bring you luck. But, if you give your clover away to someone else, instead, it will bring both you and the other person even more luck.
And so it goes...with life too...I think.
The more we give, the more we receive.
And this is what my mom taught me for sure. I'm not sure she believes in "luck". Well, except, maybe at bingo or something like that. But not in life. From growing up, I clearly saw that luck was created by the person you were and through your actions.
I remember failing my drivers licence test when I was 16. I practised and practised. OMG, did I practise. I remember taking my brother Steve on trips around the neighbourhood, stopping at 7-11 for a slurpee and sun-flower seeds on the way, and then forcing him to hang out with me while I drove...and drove...and drove. Well, until the slurpee was gone, anyway.
My twin-sister, on the other hand, had a different approach. She did not practise at all. She said that, when I passed my test, and she failed, that I could just drive her around until she took the test over again, a couple weeks later. It seemed like a good plan to her. And to me. I didn't care. All I knew was that I was going to be ready.
Well, that was the plan, anyway.
It didn't quite work out like that.
In our lemon-yellow 4-door, 1982 Dodge Aries K-car (I think it was a dodge?), I failed my drivers test.
Badly!
Carla, on the other hand, passed!
She was as surprised as I was! I was more than surprised. I was shocked, not that she passed, but that I failed.
Going home, pouting for a while and then talking to mom about it, I said that I just wasn't very lucky that day. My mom said, and I can remember her words exactly, "Luck had nothing to do with it." Then she and I looked at my paper and she explained what I did wrong...rolled through a stop sign, failed parallel parking part, didn't stop (again) at the white line at another intersection...it went on and on.
I was soooo confident (probably a bit too confident for the instructor's liking!), yet I just didn't do everything perfectly. She was right. Luck had nothing to do with it.
To this day, I remember going back to re-write my test, passing, and clearly understanding the difference between being lucky and setting myself up for success.
When I look back on my life thus far, I see that, YES, I've been lucky - OFTEN! But I've worked hard. Very hard. So many people call me lucky now, b/c the hostel business worked out and my life truly is wonderful in so many ways, but they weren't there during those very dark days and tough times, when we were broke, living in one room (well, 2 actually) at the hostel, pushing the dresser against the door at night so it was secure, or risking it all to make it happen. I remember calling my mom during those times, too, and she just kept on saying to me, "Just put your head down and work. It's going to pay off."
Well, and then she came out for 3 weeks to help in the beginning and then every year or two after that, until things got easier. (I was very lucky here!)
I now see what luck really is made of for me = working hard, calling my mom, a dose of commitment to my plan and probably a whole lot of prayers (from Mom, for me) when I needed them most. Oh..yeah...and coming to a full-stop at that stop sign, even though no one else ever does that again once they get their license!
Love you, Mom.
More to come tonight!
Thanks for teaching me what luck is really all about.
Crystal
Sorry that I've been AWOL for a couple days.
I'm back on track now after a day and a half of being on the GSD plan (Get S**t Done Plan).
I missed St. Patrick's Day here b/c I just got home from Calgary and was so exhausted that I just went to bed the other night.
So...here is one of my favourite photos, in honour of St. Patrick's day...of a bouquet of 4-leaf clovers that I found all one day, if you can believe it!
According to history (and the internet), the leaves represent 4 different things - one leaf for hope, one leaf for love, one leaf for health and one leaf for wealth.
The legend says that if you find a 4-leaf clover, you should put it in your shoe and it will bring you luck. But, if you give your clover away to someone else, instead, it will bring both you and the other person even more luck.
And so it goes...with life too...I think.
The more we give, the more we receive.
And this is what my mom taught me for sure. I'm not sure she believes in "luck". Well, except, maybe at bingo or something like that. But not in life. From growing up, I clearly saw that luck was created by the person you were and through your actions.
I remember failing my drivers licence test when I was 16. I practised and practised. OMG, did I practise. I remember taking my brother Steve on trips around the neighbourhood, stopping at 7-11 for a slurpee and sun-flower seeds on the way, and then forcing him to hang out with me while I drove...and drove...and drove. Well, until the slurpee was gone, anyway.
My twin-sister, on the other hand, had a different approach. She did not practise at all. She said that, when I passed my test, and she failed, that I could just drive her around until she took the test over again, a couple weeks later. It seemed like a good plan to her. And to me. I didn't care. All I knew was that I was going to be ready.
Well, that was the plan, anyway.
It didn't quite work out like that.
In our lemon-yellow 4-door, 1982 Dodge Aries K-car (I think it was a dodge?), I failed my drivers test.
Badly!
Carla, on the other hand, passed!
She was as surprised as I was! I was more than surprised. I was shocked, not that she passed, but that I failed.
Going home, pouting for a while and then talking to mom about it, I said that I just wasn't very lucky that day. My mom said, and I can remember her words exactly, "Luck had nothing to do with it." Then she and I looked at my paper and she explained what I did wrong...rolled through a stop sign, failed parallel parking part, didn't stop (again) at the white line at another intersection...it went on and on.
I was soooo confident (probably a bit too confident for the instructor's liking!), yet I just didn't do everything perfectly. She was right. Luck had nothing to do with it.
To this day, I remember going back to re-write my test, passing, and clearly understanding the difference between being lucky and setting myself up for success.
When I look back on my life thus far, I see that, YES, I've been lucky - OFTEN! But I've worked hard. Very hard. So many people call me lucky now, b/c the hostel business worked out and my life truly is wonderful in so many ways, but they weren't there during those very dark days and tough times, when we were broke, living in one room (well, 2 actually) at the hostel, pushing the dresser against the door at night so it was secure, or risking it all to make it happen. I remember calling my mom during those times, too, and she just kept on saying to me, "Just put your head down and work. It's going to pay off."
Well, and then she came out for 3 weeks to help in the beginning and then every year or two after that, until things got easier. (I was very lucky here!)
I now see what luck really is made of for me = working hard, calling my mom, a dose of commitment to my plan and probably a whole lot of prayers (from Mom, for me) when I needed them most. Oh..yeah...and coming to a full-stop at that stop sign, even though no one else ever does that again once they get their license!
Love you, Mom.
More to come tonight!
Thanks for teaching me what luck is really all about.
Crystal
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sister - Power!
Sister (and mother-daughter) power!
Today, I flew from Kelowna to Calgary. Sitting in the waiting area before boarding, I was sitting near a little girl about 3 years old and her aunt. The little girl was very, very funny. I sat there doing my own thing, eating some of those "real fruit juice" candies that resemble gummy bears (Sort of. Neither are made with real fruit, I'm sure.) Anyway, the little girl clearly wanted some of my candies, so I asked her aunt if it was OK if she had a couple. She said yes, so I shared my candies with both of them. It was a great little moment of bonding between strangers.
When our flight was called, everyone went to line up. The little girl was so excited! They were well ahead of me in the line. The little girl kept waving at me and hollering "bbbyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeee". Then she told her aunt, "That's my sister!" and proceeded to continue waving. She was so cute! As they got through the ticket checker the little girl turned again and said, "see you be the plane".
Adorable!
I loved the "sister" part best.
Sister-power really is something incredible! It can also be mom-daughter power, brother-sister power and so on....it's really just about the connection that people share.
That's all that matters!
Tonight, I'm at one of my sister's. How comfortable it is to just catch up, sitting at the dinner table, with left-over's from dinner served in front of you. I am blessed!
Tomorrow I've got plans to go and see my other sister Gwen, back in Kelowna, and meet her new bunny rabbits!! They have two! They're brand new and apparently sooooo cute!!! I can hardly wait!
I hope everyone has a sister - it doesn't have to be a blood-relative at all, but I hope everyone has a sort of "sister" that they can talk to, connect with, laugh with and cry with.
Love you, mom.
Thanks for all my sisters and for all the "sister-power" that you and I have shared on our crazy escapades!
love Crystal
Today, I flew from Kelowna to Calgary. Sitting in the waiting area before boarding, I was sitting near a little girl about 3 years old and her aunt. The little girl was very, very funny. I sat there doing my own thing, eating some of those "real fruit juice" candies that resemble gummy bears (Sort of. Neither are made with real fruit, I'm sure.) Anyway, the little girl clearly wanted some of my candies, so I asked her aunt if it was OK if she had a couple. She said yes, so I shared my candies with both of them. It was a great little moment of bonding between strangers.
When our flight was called, everyone went to line up. The little girl was so excited! They were well ahead of me in the line. The little girl kept waving at me and hollering "bbbyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeee". Then she told her aunt, "That's my sister!" and proceeded to continue waving. She was so cute! As they got through the ticket checker the little girl turned again and said, "see you be the plane".
Adorable!
I loved the "sister" part best.
Sister-power really is something incredible! It can also be mom-daughter power, brother-sister power and so on....it's really just about the connection that people share.
That's all that matters!
Tonight, I'm at one of my sister's. How comfortable it is to just catch up, sitting at the dinner table, with left-over's from dinner served in front of you. I am blessed!
Tomorrow I've got plans to go and see my other sister Gwen, back in Kelowna, and meet her new bunny rabbits!! They have two! They're brand new and apparently sooooo cute!!! I can hardly wait!
I hope everyone has a sister - it doesn't have to be a blood-relative at all, but I hope everyone has a sort of "sister" that they can talk to, connect with, laugh with and cry with.
Love you, mom.
Thanks for all my sisters and for all the "sister-power" that you and I have shared on our crazy escapades!
love Crystal
The Bucket List
Lastnight, after getting most of my stuff ready to go to Calgary today for a speech, I found myself watching The Bucket List movie!
What a great movie!
Even if you've seen it before, which I have, it's so worth watching again and again!
I caught something in the movie that I had not heard before....
Two questions were asked....
1. Have you experienced joy in your life?
2. Have you used your life to bring joy to others?
Hearing that just made me stop! How simple.
That's what I'm going to focus on in the coming weeks.
Joy.
Feeling it.
Creating it for others!
Starting here....
At the end of the movie, the song, "Say" was playing, by John Mayer.
What a perfect song to end one of the best movies I've ever seen! I think may have shared this song on here before, but the lyrics are below if you haven't heard the song in a while.
Mom, I just want to say how much I love you. Words will never be able to express how much you mean to me. But I know you know. You remain the wind beneath my wings. Always. In all ways.
love you,
Crystal
PS I'm going to stay at Cindy's tonight. What a lucky family, we are.
And Carol's coming on the DIVA Retreat. Gwen's loving her two new bunnies! Kate's excited to help out next week with Gwen and I.... Seriously, we are all so lucky to have one another. And to have you.
SAY
Take all of your wasted honor
Every little past frustration
Take all of your so-called problems,
Better put 'em in quotations
Say what you need to say [x8]
Walking like a one man army
Fighting with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you'd be better off instead,
If you could only . . .
Say what you need to say [x8]
Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You'd better know that in the end
Its better to say too much
Then never say what you need to say again
Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open
Say what you need to say [x24]
What a great movie!
Even if you've seen it before, which I have, it's so worth watching again and again!
I caught something in the movie that I had not heard before....
Two questions were asked....
1. Have you experienced joy in your life?
2. Have you used your life to bring joy to others?
Hearing that just made me stop! How simple.
That's what I'm going to focus on in the coming weeks.
Joy.
Feeling it.
Creating it for others!
Starting here....
At the end of the movie, the song, "Say" was playing, by John Mayer.
What a perfect song to end one of the best movies I've ever seen! I think may have shared this song on here before, but the lyrics are below if you haven't heard the song in a while.
Mom, I just want to say how much I love you. Words will never be able to express how much you mean to me. But I know you know. You remain the wind beneath my wings. Always. In all ways.
love you,
Crystal
PS I'm going to stay at Cindy's tonight. What a lucky family, we are.
And Carol's coming on the DIVA Retreat. Gwen's loving her two new bunnies! Kate's excited to help out next week with Gwen and I.... Seriously, we are all so lucky to have one another. And to have you.
SAY
Take all of your wasted honor
Every little past frustration
Take all of your so-called problems,
Better put 'em in quotations
Say what you need to say [x8]
Walking like a one man army
Fighting with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you'd be better off instead,
If you could only . . .
Say what you need to say [x8]
Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You'd better know that in the end
Its better to say too much
Then never say what you need to say again
Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open
Say what you need to say [x24]
Monday, March 15, 2010
Sharing gifts
Mom, you always shared whatever you had...with company, friends, our family. You didn't keep too much hidden for "a special day".
Well, except for some of your baking and that pop (you hid in the cupboard) that you said we couldn't eat or drink because it was "for when company comes".
I'm sure it was very frustrating when you'd find out...weeks later...when company did actually come over...that the cookies you baked or zucchini loaf was 1/2 eaten by ghosts.
Oops.
Sorry!
Aside from those coveted cookies or the Coca Cola (that we were never allowed to drink), you "gave it all away", shared everything you had, offered it up to all of us, always.
This week, I received the most thoughtful gift in the mail from an old friend, Kevin Spence. He sent me an amazing assortment of teas that he blended himself. Living in Vancouver, Kevin started a company called Planet Botanic Canada.
So, lastnight I made some of his tea, sharing it with company. Kevin's tea was incredible! The little tins and everything about this tea just makes you want to save it. Savour it. Keep it. Never actually drink it. Maybe just open the lid and smell it!
But it's not supposed to be kept in the cupboard. It's meant to be shared. Like most things. Shared. Given away. Experienced. And then remembered.
Kevin - thank you so much for sharing your gifts!!!!!!!!!!
Mom, I love you! Thank you for teaching me the value of sharing, of giving...and of hiding a little bag of cookies in the freezer where not even I can find them, even though I put them there!
Miss you,
Crystal
Well, except for some of your baking and that pop (you hid in the cupboard) that you said we couldn't eat or drink because it was "for when company comes".
I'm sure it was very frustrating when you'd find out...weeks later...when company did actually come over...that the cookies you baked or zucchini loaf was 1/2 eaten by ghosts.
Oops.
Sorry!
Aside from those coveted cookies or the Coca Cola (that we were never allowed to drink), you "gave it all away", shared everything you had, offered it up to all of us, always.
This week, I received the most thoughtful gift in the mail from an old friend, Kevin Spence. He sent me an amazing assortment of teas that he blended himself. Living in Vancouver, Kevin started a company called Planet Botanic Canada.
So, lastnight I made some of his tea, sharing it with company. Kevin's tea was incredible! The little tins and everything about this tea just makes you want to save it. Savour it. Keep it. Never actually drink it. Maybe just open the lid and smell it!
But it's not supposed to be kept in the cupboard. It's meant to be shared. Like most things. Shared. Given away. Experienced. And then remembered.
Kevin - thank you so much for sharing your gifts!!!!!!!!!!
Mom, I love you! Thank you for teaching me the value of sharing, of giving...and of hiding a little bag of cookies in the freezer where not even I can find them, even though I put them there!
Miss you,
Crystal
Saturday, March 13, 2010
No drama...
There was no drama. No complicated behaviour. No complicated anything. Just the truth.
Growing up in our house was easy. You knew where you stood. There was no drama and you never had to read between the lines b/c there was nothing written there. I never realized how fortunate we were growing up until now, as I become aware of the drama that exists in so many households. I feel very very grateful for my life and for how we grew up...
I feel so grateful Mom, for the space you created at home, for all of us to feel loved, to feel welcome (always), to feel safe, to feel supported and encouraged, and to always come back to.
Coming home and living in your basement was "plan B" if the hostel business failed or the treeplanting company failed. This is a photo of doing some winter work out in the bush in those early years. We were literally in the middle of nowhere and the truck was actually stuck. Ater trying for hours, to get un-stuck, we gave up. We waited for hours past nightfall to be rescued. The other crew, working in a different area got back to town that night and when we didn't return by 9 or 10pm, they came looking for us. The shine of those headlights as they came upon us was almost enough to make me cry. Those days were cold and dark, figuratively and literally, when Plan B seemed like it was to be the only viable plan.
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It's a good think it all worked out but Plan B would not have been a bad option either. Hmmm...I never knew how lucky we were. We'd move home every summer from university and we were always welcome. You never charged us rent. You always had a full fridge and as you were leaving for the beach and I'd be in the city for the week, working cutting grass for the cemetery, there would be some home-made something for me to take for lunches. All I ever had to do was help you load the car with groceries and there would be some more kids at the beach ready to help you unload when you got there!
Mom, you taught us so well that drama wasn't the way to get anything, that being a drama queen was not a way to get attention, playing games wasn't allowed and that life wasn't supposed to be complicated. It was supposed to be enjoyed. Filled with hugs. A full fridge. Kindness. Thoughtful gestures. And truth.
I was just at the hostel tonight for one of the staff member's birthday parties and I think your perspective and way of running the house when we were kids is the same way I run the hostel. Exactly the same. No drama. No need to read between the lines. The truth and honesty. Always. A solid work ethic in exchange for total freedom. No micro-managing. Ever. Thoughtful gestures and all kinds of food given or bought for the team. A total open-door policy (literally...since the staff have keys to my house and total use of the suite in the basement when they want to get away from the hostel for some quiet time). I feel a great sense of pride in realizing I'm a lot like my mom! I sure had a good teacher! Thank you Mom.
Mom, I love you.
Thank you so much for EVERYTHING...including the option of Plan B!!!
Love Crystal
Growing up in our house was easy. You knew where you stood. There was no drama and you never had to read between the lines b/c there was nothing written there. I never realized how fortunate we were growing up until now, as I become aware of the drama that exists in so many households. I feel very very grateful for my life and for how we grew up...
I feel so grateful Mom, for the space you created at home, for all of us to feel loved, to feel welcome (always), to feel safe, to feel supported and encouraged, and to always come back to.
Coming home and living in your basement was "plan B" if the hostel business failed or the treeplanting company failed. This is a photo of doing some winter work out in the bush in those early years. We were literally in the middle of nowhere and the truck was actually stuck. Ater trying for hours, to get un-stuck, we gave up. We waited for hours past nightfall to be rescued. The other crew, working in a different area got back to town that night and when we didn't return by 9 or 10pm, they came looking for us. The shine of those headlights as they came upon us was almost enough to make me cry. Those days were cold and dark, figuratively and literally, when Plan B seemed like it was to be the only viable plan.
.jpg)
It's a good think it all worked out but Plan B would not have been a bad option either. Hmmm...I never knew how lucky we were. We'd move home every summer from university and we were always welcome. You never charged us rent. You always had a full fridge and as you were leaving for the beach and I'd be in the city for the week, working cutting grass for the cemetery, there would be some home-made something for me to take for lunches. All I ever had to do was help you load the car with groceries and there would be some more kids at the beach ready to help you unload when you got there!
Mom, you taught us so well that drama wasn't the way to get anything, that being a drama queen was not a way to get attention, playing games wasn't allowed and that life wasn't supposed to be complicated. It was supposed to be enjoyed. Filled with hugs. A full fridge. Kindness. Thoughtful gestures. And truth.
I was just at the hostel tonight for one of the staff member's birthday parties and I think your perspective and way of running the house when we were kids is the same way I run the hostel. Exactly the same. No drama. No need to read between the lines. The truth and honesty. Always. A solid work ethic in exchange for total freedom. No micro-managing. Ever. Thoughtful gestures and all kinds of food given or bought for the team. A total open-door policy (literally...since the staff have keys to my house and total use of the suite in the basement when they want to get away from the hostel for some quiet time). I feel a great sense of pride in realizing I'm a lot like my mom! I sure had a good teacher! Thank you Mom.
Mom, I love you.
Thank you so much for EVERYTHING...including the option of Plan B!!!
Love Crystal
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