And amazingly...not only your kids, but our friends are raising their kids with a bit of "Bernie's brilliance" too...
Tania sometimes reads your blog and emailed me today and wanted to share a few of her memories and wisdom that she gained from you over the years...
When I read what Tania wrote, I couldn't help but stop and really think about just how much of a difference you make in all of our lives, Mom. I wonder what your family who hold you as the center of our universe and the glue that keeps us all together would share if asked to offer some of the wisdom they learned from you...
Wisdom that Tania learned from you...
1) Bernice is a quitter. She quit smoking.. she quite dying her hair (all of a sudden, it wasn't black anymore, remember?)... and she quit a marriage that didn't work --- against her religion and all good sense. .. bringing you all into Regina. What a brave quit.
2) Bernice was the original motivational speaker. Remember those yellow stickies on the mirror? Where did she get that? a true original.
3) The cinnamon buns. They were good. They were plentiful. Then we all got healthy.
Tania's memories and wisdom learned from you speak so clearly to all of us...especially when we were young, growing up and finding our place in the world...
She (and you) are right:
- Quitting isn't a bad thing. Sometime's it's the very best thing to do...even if it's the hardest thing you ever did. Quitting smoking surely wasn't easy...and moving 5 kids into the city (aged 4-14) ALONE was an act of courage and grace that we're all forever thankful for! As for your hair...I remember when you let it go 'natural' and it looked great! You were, and are, stunning Mom, and perfect, exactly as you are.
- You really were and still are the most original, inspirational and motivational speaker in my world. In my lifetime, if I could be a fraction of what you are, I would truly inspire those around me to become more than they ever thought possible.
- Oh...and those cinnamon buns...Tania really is brilliant and amazing at remembering some incredible moments and memories...your cinnamon buns were famous...with all the brown sugar and coconut and rasins...YES....they were something to be savoured! Without a doubt, they were made with more love than any other ingredient!
Mom, your brilliance, influence and wisdom leave a living legacy and ripple effect that reaches beyond what either of us could likely imagine.
I love you.
Crystal
PS: A very special thank you to Tania for sharing her wisdom gained from hanging out at 7 Low Place.
PPS: Here's a photo of the group of seven (minus 2 who weren't there) who have benefited from Bernie's Brilliance over the years, too.
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