frenchie

Today was a very sombre day in school. We had a Remembrance Day Assembly and the Kindergarten children knew exactly what it was all about. They made sure that I carefully pinned their poppies on the left side of their clothing, just above their heart, and they proudly wore them as they assembled into the large gymnasium. They were reminded that they were not to clap and they needed to be very quiet. And, they were, for almost one hour.  They looked like absolute angels as they carefully listened to the speeches, poems, videos, and songs sung by the older children. They were also mesmerized by the invited guests of war veterans and RCMPs all dressed in their uniforms.

And so, as the assembly ends, we return to class and sit in our circle ready for the next lesson. All of a sudden, one of the little guys runs over to me, gives me a huge hug and quickly says in his sweet raspy serious voice: “I need to love you, Madame, (a name they continue to call me as I used to teach French) because if you fight in the war I might never see you again”.

I couldn’t hold back the tears. The other children looked at me as if something serious had just happened. They looked almost frightened. I was speechless as the tears continued to spill down my cheeks. Thank goodness for Andrea, our assistant. She came to my rescue as she was holding back her tears, too. She so tactfully explained to them that I was crying from happiness because Robert said that he loved Madame. And, yes, it’s important to tell a person that they love them instead of arguing and fighting. With that, she led the class into singing the song “Peace Like A River!”

Wow! This will be the most memorable Remembrance Day in all my years of teaching. The children learned some wise words today, but I certainly learned a valuable lesson from a young child that I will never forget. Thank you, little Robert, for creating awareness into my own life about how important it is to tell people that you love them.

Am I really going to be a grandmother? I have to pinch myself everytime I say it.  I still can’t believe it!!

Last week, my daughter and son-in-law called from their home in New Jersey. I didn’t think anything of it as it was a regular call. My husband was working at the golf course and I was waiting for him to come home while I had received this call. My daughter told me to check my calendar and to see if I was busy on April, 2010. She then mentioned that I need to get a paper and pencil and write down the date, April 10th. Looking at the calendar, I noticed it was on a Saturday. As I was doing this, I thought that perhaps they were both planning a party for my husband’s “Big Birthday” which is coming up in January, 2010. The weather would be warmer, it would be easier for us to travel, my son would be able to come in from Vancouver, and it would be a perfect time for a family celebration. But that wasn’t it.

She said that it was the date when we were “to become grandparents”.  My usual  scream with excitement didn’t want to come out. Instead, tears were flowing down my face. “Mom, are you okay?” “Okay?” I answered as she detected my crying voice, and as I could finally shout, ”I’m ecstatic and I can’t believe it.” “This is the best news I have ever heard, and it’s something I’ve been waiting for; it’s finally happening”, I continued with so much joy. “Mom, you’re making me cry, too.” she said as we both tried to calm down. At that moment, I could hear the front door open downstairs as my husband shouted his usual hello. “Quick, get on the phone”, I yelled back. As he did, my daughter also told him to get a calendar and to mark down this important date because he was going to be a grandpa. “No joke”, was his reply, “my daughter is going to have a baby?!”

Of course, we talked for awhile on the phone about her 13 weeks of pregnancy and how she was feeling.  We were so overwhelmed with excitement and enthusiasm that we just wanted to announce it to every person we know. So, we finally got off the phone, my husband and I looked at each other, and in a tone of disbelieve we both said, “wow, we’re really going to be grandparents”.

This weekend they came in for a visit and we were all extremely excited. She brought pictures of the ultrasound and we could actually see the baby. It’s just unbelievable.

They will find out if it’s a boy or girl in a couple of weeks, but my husband and I said we don’t want them to tell us - we want to be excited and in suspense. However, I’m starting to think about it seriously and might change my mind. I want to start buying baby clothes and toys for a boy or a girl. But, most important, is that she have an easy birth and an extremely healthy child.

This is how I feel today,

Tension will quickly go away.

I went for a walk in the morning sun,

Myself and music, it was such fun.

As I sit in my house and write,

I am praying with all my might,

That I feel great and carry on

To have the fun I always want.

And so I’m really trying hard,

By stating words close to my heart.

That I have my family close by my side,

I love you all;  my feelings I will never hide.

For the past three years, my friends have asked me to walk for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer. Every year I want to do it, but I don’t have the confidence to fundraise $2,000. Or, every year something always comes up on the day of the walk, which gives me a perfect excuse not to walk nor raise money. And, every year I’m donating money for other people to do the walk. I then hear how wonderful it is to be part of this weekend and the gratification it gives.

Next September is my retirement year and I feel that I really want to do the walk. But, I just can’t decide. I would love to raise the money required, but I know too many people who walk and I don’t want to go door to door asking people I hardly know to support me in my endeavours. Is this another excuse?

 Many of my colleagues have already told me that they have decided to donate their hard earned money to other causes. Many are tired of giving money to cancer research because they believe the pharmaceuticals are making all the money and a cure for cancer will never be found. Is that really true?  I sure hope not since there are so many young, middle-aged, and older people who are suffering and/or who have suffered from this terrible illness. What is happening to all the money that is being donated anyways?

Does someone out there have any answers? I would love to hear from you and to have your thoughts. Perhaps, this will also make it easier for me to make my final decision. I do know, though, that cancer has no boundaries and that too many of my close relatives, friends, and acquaintances have succumbed to this terrible disease. Whether our professionals are taking advantage of all the money that is coming in to funding the cause to find a cure for cancer or whether companies are taking advantage of the general population - we will probably never know. But I do know that in my heart I want someone out there to continue to do the hard work and find a cure for cancer SOON!  LET’S THINK PINK 

She’s old, she’s frail so what can I expect -

She thinks only of herself, yet I still show respect.

When things are not going well, she complains like crazy,

She wants us to stop everything, even if we’re busy.

Well, what can I do - she’s eighty-eight years old,

Not improving her character as she ages, strong-minded and bold.

I wish I will be this healthy at her age

But, with a better disposition - please G-d - I do pray.

She doesn’t want any strangers to come in and help her,

She will have to pay them money, that is for sure.

And so she tries to get help from her children, as she’s on her own

She manages quite nicely, but she’s still all alone.

I guess it’s important that I understand,

I don’t have patience for her daily whining sounds.

She’s always finding ways for us to be around

She’s lonely, she aged, she’s  selfish,  she often feels down.

Must I understand? I find it quite hard

Talking to her is no fun as I usually get bored.

It’s only of herself that she speaks, no interest has she,

I must understand how she feels and how unhappy she must be.

     But I will always love you,  forever……

It’s late at night and I am up

I realize that it’s dark

Everyone’s asleep; the noise is nil

There is not even a spark.

I wish it could be this way

But not really every day

To have some peace and some kind of rest

To get away from daily stress.

But now it’s hard to fall asleep

As I’m enjoying the calm

It’s such a pleasure to feel like this

The worries are almost gone.

We are together,

Forever we will be,

Part of a wonderful,

And great family.

You were so young,

And yet so sweet,

You’re proud to be,

In this great family.

You both matured,

So quick, so fast,

Now spread your wings,

How time has passed.

Now you’ve grown,

Forever you will be

Part of this amazing,

And great family.

                                Luv Ya,

                                Mom xoxox

Even though the weather hasn’t been the best this summer, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time off. Getting up early, taking my time, not rushing, not keeping up with schedules.  What’s the date today? I’m not sure.

But I do know for certain that the time is quickly arriving to get back into the routine of things. I’ve already been reminded by my colleagues.  But am I ready after having such a relaxing two months? My body says “NO”; but my mind says, “NO” at the same time. I have one week to prepare and get ready. Get ready for what?

I guess I’ll be ready the day the time arrives. I’ll have no other choice, will I? So, one more week to go and when the time is right, I will definitely be prepared to start a new day and hopefully a super year.

My Dad came to Canada in 1935. I can just picture Dad coming off the ship all by himself, landing in Halifax with no family, no friends, no home, no money. How difficult that must have been at the young age of fifteen. Where was he going to go? He followed other people that he met on the ship to Montreal by train. One woman took him under her wing and directed him to her sister’s home where he rented this tiny room.

How was he going to pay for room and board? For a couple of days, he walked from store to store requesting work, but he could hardly speak English and no one wanted to hire him. He did speak eight other languages, but this was not of value. A week later, he lent money from his landlord, bought a very inexpensive second hand car, quickly learned how to drive and was on his way. He purchased bread and rolls from bakeries and went door to door in the area where he lived, selling his ware. And so, for forty years he was called the ”Breadman”.  He worked fifteen and more hours a day to pay back his loan and continued his bread business for forty years.

In 1944, he married my mom who also arrived into Canada in 1936 with her parents, brother, and sisters.  My mom’s parents were quite poor, but Dad was not concerned as he was immediately welcomed into a family that he so desperately longed for. My parents always had their own financial struggles,  but they consistently managed to give their children, four of us, (I’m the youngest!) the essentials and even more. They forever insisted that we attend university,  and for that, among many other things,  we are all forever thankful.

For some reason, I was always destined to be a teacher. I think my parents made sure of that. As a child, they bought me blackboards, chalk, a desk, a variety of books, and they asked me to teach them how to read and write when I was young. I loved it! Dad never had time to go to school, always working late while mom was busy keeping up the chores in the house. I was always excited to teach them since they had such a strong desire to learn, especially the English language. They were always inquisitive and even though they hardly had time, they made sure they read and practiced their writing skills each and every day. And, I made sure of that!

And so, I am very thankful to both my parents for leading me down the road to education. They showed me the value and strong desire for learning. Although I’ve been teaching for many years, I still adore my job and I’m thankful to mom and dad for paving this route for me.

This friend is well caring and so very dear

Every time I need to talk, she is always near.

She often listens to my woes, my positive thoughts too

She really helps me when I’m down, suggesting what to do.

I pick up the phone, she’s always there, to listen to my pleas

And her advice is seldmon wrong, it helps me solve my needs.

It satisfies me to hear her voice, so soothing and so calm,

It’s  enough to pick me up, at times when I feel down.

It’s so nice to have a friend so special, yes indeed -

I know I’m lucky for her strength she passes onto me.

It’s also nice to have a friend who nevers says, “I’m busy”

She hears me out, accepts my moods, when things are in a tizzy.

Thanks for being my friend……