Ruth and I*From Ontario, to Georgia, (to Alberta) with Love.

I would like to tell you about my friend Ruth.  Funny that I know a lot about Ruth, her family, some of her triumphs, heart aches, etc., and yet we have never met.   I feel like I have always known Ruth and perhaps somehow we had once met but have been away from each other a long time since.   The fact remains though, we have never met.

We were discussing our friendship recently and agreed we have known each other 14 or 15 years and hope perhaps we might actually meet this year!   It's been especially rough for both of us these last couple of years.

Our friendship began with a message on an online guest book for a little boy who's brother; aged just 2 or 3, had Histiocytosis.  I had been on the website and had signed the guest book wishing the family the best in care and hoping their little boy would be o.k. .   My niece died from this very disease in 1982 at the age of 5 years.   My sisters daughter.   At the time there was much less known about the disease and prognosis may not have offered as many options.  Ruth was looking for information about Histiocytosis in wanting to learn more about it because her little granddaughter, at the time just a toddler had been diagnosed with the disease.
When I began searching for more information about Histiocytosis it was many years after having lost my niece, I was married and had a family of my own.  
Following my post on the above mentioned website I received an email from Ruth asking if I might have more information about the disease..  I hadn't talked to my sister about her daughter's death or the illness itself in some time but in asking her about it all she was quite willing to talk about it with hopes that perhaps we might offer some helpful information to Ruth.  
Ruth lives in Georgia U.S.A and I here in Ontario, Canada.

For twelve years Ruth and I kept in touch via email, writing a few times each year with updates of our family and local happenings.  She has always kept me abreast of what was happening with her grand daughter Kelly and how she was managing.   Her Grand daughter has done very well and is a real trooper in all that she has had to endure in living with Histiocytosis.   There have been many advancements in how this disease is treated and also in the prognosis for patients.

Two years ago Ruth and I advanced our ongoing correspondence with the addition of Facebook!   Now we have a greater glimpse into each others lives and talk often.   Ruth and I have also just this year exchanged mailing addresses and it was pretty exciting to be able to send her a "real time" Christmas card.
Over the course of these 14 years or so we have each been through a lot of ups and downs with our growing families, growing pains, and facing our own health issues.
Ruth has been struggling with Thyroid Cancer and I with Melanoma.

It's amazing to me how many years have gone by since we first connected with each other.  It is wonderful that it began in support for each other and has developed into a long term friendship and continued support for each other as each of us faces new challenges in what we as individuals are going through or other members of our families as well as friends come to face.   Triumphs are supported and shared as well.

This year someone I  connected with on the Melanoma Network of Canada, has now too become connected with my friend Ruth, via facebook, as the result of our shared conversations!   Janet is from Calgary.   Janet also shared her mailing address with me, allowing me to send her a REAL handwritten letter and Christmas card as well.  Our hope is that perhaps at some point we could arrange to meet at a location central to each of our geographic home locations!  Through the magic of Social Media we have created our own triangle of support over many many miles!

Reaching out over many miles as well as with people right here at home
really does help to get one through the rough times and helps build on
strength in moving forward.

Turning the corner and making dust fly...this from Sunday!

  With things going pretty well and a new rhythm beginning to kick in I'm looking ahead while also looking back.

  Two years ago yesterday; Saturday, February 15th, I was diagnosed with cancer, Malignant Melanoma Stage 3.   The great part, I'M STILL HERE!   True that!   Sadly I'm all too aware of the many battles lost  to cancer and close to home.   The plan now is to take every day and enjoy as much as I can, with as many as I can, just in case; heaven forbid, cancer decides to rear it's ugly head again!   As ugly as it is, Hey, it's shown me so much and forced me to sit up and pay more attention...to everything, including what I do, what I need, what I want and what I CAN DO!

The day I was diagnosed, a Wednesday, I will never forget and certainly it is made more memorable because it was also my son Chris's birthday.   Well, it took time, tears and loads and loads of support, which includes lots of people to share laughs with, pee your pants laughs and so much more but I (we), made it!  I say 'we' because John, my hubby went through every bit of this right there with me.  He's been my rock, even when I'm sure he was every bit as much worried or scared, as I have been.
The tears, laughter, worries, wonders and quiet moments...in the livingroom here at home, at work, at the movies, etc., visits with some lovelies...very special lovelies with "words", words that eased my thoughts, gave me strength, or sometimes who were just there, quietly offering support as friends can, are what has helped to get to this point.  This is the point where I go, "HOLY, it's been two years already?".     It seems like yesterday we were heading into the first surgery AND it feels like a very long time ago all at the same time!!!

Yep, finished one year of treatment in July '13 and have been feeling better and better since!!!   In summary, I'm moving on because while no-one ever knows how much time one is given in Life, having had cancer kind of forces that realization in a very blunt, "Helloooo-oh, we REALLY do NOT know how much time we get!!!", kind of way!!!   Heading off in new directions, facing new challenges and working HARD to be FEARLESS, confident and EMBRACE what lies ahead and make the best of whatever is out there!   (*confidence)

Here's to kicking dust in the face of cancer and making it around the corner confidently!

http://cathysquips.blogspot.ca/2012_02_01_archive.html

Ceeeelebration Time....is anytime!

Early in December we joined friends of ours and headed to the Lowes Christmas Market in Toronto; Distillery District for an evening of fun!   One goal I had in mind was to indulge in the "Pig Candy's"  Belgian Chocolate dipped bacon on a stick!   I would need to wait a little while knowing that as we arrived at the market we would be sporting full tummies of yummy dishes from the Old Spaghetti Factory.

Our dinner at the Spaghetti Factory would be our third visit in 30 years!   The very first time I had the pleasure of dinner there was on my first trip to T.O with my now husband John and his parents after having dated for about a month.    The next visit to OSF was late this fall with our son Christopher who had never been.   He really enjoyed it and was grateful to be dining in such interesting surroundings and to hear our tale of our first visit there.   This most recent visit we were with long time friends from Scarborough and they too had not been in about 20 years.

We were seated way in the back where there were so many full tables; couples, families, groups, etc.!!   Our server was great, pleasant, friendly and giving attention to detail even while running to and fro with other tables to tend to.   Throughout our time seated and enjoying such a great meal, good conversation catching up with each other's goings on and updates about our kids, there were celebrations happening all around us.
Of course the Birthday celebrations were quite obvious with staff coming round to the celebrant's table and singing Happy Birthday and everyone including ourselves taking notice and joining in.   Walking back to our designated table one quickly realized just how very busy the restaurant was and as each "birthday" was celebrated just how much celebration people were doing on that particular evening.

There with our friends Gary and Judy we too are actually celebrating!   Neither of us is celebrating a birthday but certainly as we gather and spend the evening having so much fun together we are celebrating a long time friendship!   Who knows how many others both at the restaurant and at the Christmas market are celebrating too-celebrating family, friends, the coming of Christmas, birthdays, the city, LIVING(another year to see things never seen before)  ; ) !!    Life goes on no matter what happens and we certainly have our up and downs but mustn't deprive ourselves or forget to celebrate even the smallest of joys that come our way and friendship is certainly one of the biggest joys we are afforded.   It was wonderful to experience so much celebration happening in one place among such a diverse gathering of people and all in one single evening!!  
Judy and I found the Pig Candy Christmas booth and "OH YES WE DID" indulge in chocolate dipped bacon!!!   Chocolate dipped bacon?...Sooooooo bad, soooooo good!   Have bacon and fondue chocolate?...go ahead you know you want to!
In light of the year or two behind us and all we've been through we were excited to again step out to try something we had never done before.  Last year we walked through the Distillery District as they were setting up for the Christmas Market and made a pact to see it this Christmas season and now we have!
Well it's the New Year, we've rung in the new and bid Auld Lang Syne to the year now behind us, smooched and are now just watching a few of the various New Years celebrations highlights
Wishing you love, light of heart, the ability to see joy in the smallest of wonderful, friendship and good health!  Take care of yourself and know while to the world you may be one person but to one person you may be the world!   Happy New Year!

Tell Me a Story.

Some people aren't as excited to share a story as perhaps some of us are to have a story to share.   I wrote a letter and dropped it off with great  hopefulness!   Not wanting to intrude on ones day trying to give them space and the chance to choose to reply.   Sadly that apparently isn't going to happen.

I honestly thought I'd hear from someone very shortly, but it wasn't meant to be I guess.

If anyone should know anything about the "little bear on the porch" on Toronto Rd. in Port Hope I'd love if any portion of the background that you might know might be shared.   Perhaps there is no story really, but I have noticed that little bear there for many many years.   Of very recent he has been removed.  He was not real of course but was always there, stretched up as though scratching his claws on the white porch post.  Perhaps the home has new occupants and they don't know his story and that is that.

Oh well.   There are many other stories out there just waiting to be told/heard.   If you have a story or know someone who would like to share a story of old, I'd love to capture that story and let it be told again.  I'm open to many stories but think how wonderful it would be too to start a collection of Christmas tales and aim for some form of sharing for the 2014 Christmas Season.

I keep a book in the bathroom here at home and have a second copy on my bookshelf, it is stories from "On the Farm" from across Canada and quickly takes me back to my very young years when my family lived on the farm north of Campbellcroft on Gilmour Rd. .  I know as years pass and we grow older memories from our days past come to the forefront of our minds during specific moments in our lives and during holiday, family gatherings.   While we know we can't truly relive them it is wonderful to have them captured in hearts and minds as well sometimes on paper and enjoy the reminiscence.

Happy story times!!!

UPDATE: The little Black Bear on said porch is back!   You can bet I will be stopping one day with the hopes of gathering another story to be shared!   I hope to share it right here!   :)

So many Stories to tell.

This morning my day began with a visit to the vets with my sweet little buddy Dash; our Daschund/terrier 4 year old.   A routine visit for his annual rabies shot.   While there met a number of beautiful little friends including a fellow Daschund/Golden Retriever mix, she was so adorable!  She had a beautiful silken black coat, short legs and the face of a lab or retriever.   Many interesting breeds of dogs and then a little kitten, whose new friend had found him under their cottage while still very very young.  I chatted with the lady who accompanied Pumpkin, an adorable little orange/marmalade tabby who also happened to be a Polydactyl; cat with extra toes.   A real cutie.

In chatting with this lady she talked about bringing her kitten home and while that was a happy moment, sadly just days following she lost her other cat whom had been with them 17 years.   A bitter sweet time for her family.   She began speaking of the arrival of that cat at a time when her husband was going through a very difficult medical recovery and that cat became a source of great company and comfort for him and really helped pull him through.   She too had experienced some very difficult times and mentioned how much the cat had stayed with her all along.   Her story touched me and gave me thought for another project, or perhaps yes, a book.  I have many a story of beloved family critters, including Dash.

I do love to write and while I know I could use some guidelines or additional training in style and more accuracy in writing terms etc., I feel more and more compelled to write of "life" as I know it.
I can imagine myself sitting in Vet's offices, with permission of course, gathering stories of companions, life savers and rescues; of little critters and of humans.  Most of us get the bond that happens so very quickly with animals that come into our lives and to capture the heart in the many stories and the trust and love that grows between our pets and ourselves is such a wonderful chapter in our lives. The desire to capture such stories in this genre and of human interest, life stories just keeps getting stronger.

Another such idea has come to eat away at my mind after some time now.   This one may seem odd to some but to others will be completely understood.    I would very much like to speak with people who know of or sadly have been involved in creating roadside memorials.   Very recently I stopped to view one between Maple Grove and Courtice on hwy.#2.   I have passed by numerous times and admit to both curiousity and feeling sadness in the realization that what I am viewing is family and friends remembering and mourning the loss of a loved one.    Some see it as weird perhaps while others as myself understand it is just one way for many to deal with their loss and wanting that person to be remembered.   It's knowing there was a person, with a life and friends and they counted in so many ways in the lives of so many and you can't help but feel there is a fear of not remembering those passed and feeling the need to have a visual and physical remembrance.

I have one more project in mind and have acted upon it only this week but will tell you more later.   It too is in writing about something.   This I have done once before finding out the story about a long time display that surely has a very interesting background story.   One I have wondered about since I was very young.

Well the tales continue with every day.   For the last 20 months I've been sharing tales of my tango with cancer and always have tales of our critter friends and am thankful for the fodder available in living life!   Even in the worst of times trying to keep a sense of humour is helpful and writing about it allows many to share and realize we have much to relate with!   We're human!
Good night all.   :)   Sweet dreams!

Flashing....and I WISH at times I COULD take my clothes off!

Happy Birthday to ME, October 6th and no need to tell the year it all began because as I delve into this particular blog topic you will most certainly be able to guess within very good proximity my birth year!!

Not so very long ago, a short few weeks before my recent birthday I was busy doing this n' that about the house when I realized what an immensely sweaty state I was in.   Not unusual when one is bustling about, cleaning, organizing, up and down stairs, hanging laundry but somehow this seemed a taad more profuse measure of sweat.   My bangs were wet, the hair at the nape of my neck, very well dampened and I hadn't ever noticed this happening during the usual 'run' of household tasks.

I let it go and one afternoon while doing a couple of small tasks outdoors, found myself in same state once again.   Hmmm, it was a warmish day, but I was dressed in light clothing and it wasn't the humid kind of warm we had our share of earlier in the season, so ceased my activity outdoors and took a shower for the second time that day.
 
When this has happened repeatedly over the next couple of weeks and even on slightly cool days, I begin to wonder if, maybe, just maybe something evil is about!  By evil, yes I speak of the dreaded "hot flashes" due to menopause!!!!!   Oh dear heavens!!!   I thought certain that perhaps I was going to be one of those who while did experience some of the quirks of said condition I was going to skip on through without the annoyance; for self and spouse, of the inner inferno that presents itself outwardly with a flushed glistening of ones self.

Of recently; the last two weeks, I have had a very bad cold and when I openly pondered the presence of such warming/sweat inducing moments recurring, those I confided in reassured me it was just the cold.   Well, the cold is all but gone now and those "recurring moments" continue to recur.   I  am it seems most assuredly in the throws of HOT FLASHES; a.k.a peri menopause.
 Yes, yes, there is a tower fan at the side of my bed; three feet away, with remote less than a foot from my pillow!    Our truck has old school roll down windows and no air; it's amazing how quickly I can send those windows into a frenzy of full descent!     While accompanied in the other vehicle with Air conditioning, it's nice that on a warmer day the second party can quickly have their window down at the push of a button to warm up as I flip the switch to enjoy a nice cool blast of icy cold on my side.   Winter we'll play the reverse roles I imagine!
Oh ya', I'm HOT all right and while I can't reduce layers in public there is a new reason to be thankful for draperies and window blinds here at home!!!!  

Onward, upward and YES I CAN!

It's been a while since my last post here, but have I been meaning for some time to do just that!    Here it is Thanks Giving weekend and I KNOW I have plenty to be thankful for and much to go on about, so forgive me if my thoughts and words "meander" in so many different directions!

To begin, this past Tuesday marks 3 months since I did my last injection of Interferon and began freeing my body of the potent stuff that one hopes has SOME affect on whether or not and or how long I have before a possible recurrence of melanoma!   I know in the meantime the best thing I can do is enjoy getting back to whatever my new "normal" is including simply feeling better.   Interferon simply sucks the life out of you and like winning a lottery, when you do feel good do what you can to take advantage of it.   It had at times reminded me of the Ikea commercial, when realizing "HEY I feel pretty good today"..."JOHN, start the car, start the car"...let's get out for a while!  While I continue to tire pretty easily,feel little by little I am building on the ability to do a little more for a greater length of time as the weeks pass.

What good came of having experienced Cancer first hand?   Seems odd maybe to think there could be any good, but it's true, there is plenty of good.
It's important once in a while to just S-L-O-W D-O-W-N and take that time when you would otherwise be bound to a clock, to a something you previously felt you just HAD to do, get to, respond to, rush to.
I used to be petrified of needles and have been known to pass out, but having done self injections for eleven months, HEY, piece of cake!
Yay for my family being so supportive, especially my Hubby-yep, as if I didn't already know, but what a guy!   He's been the best!
I've come to realize at times my biggest obstacle to achieving things at times, has been myself.   From here on I'm trying to override any little negative voices in my head that say I "CAN"T", and prove to myself I CAN!   A tall order when you've been so good at talking yourself down far too often!
The above mentioned is proven in that I have picked up the paint brush and take delight in setting up the easel once again!   Creativity is at an all time high!    I'm dabbling more than ever with photography including doing some photo sessions with a few friends, which are so much fun!

Very recently both my Dad and Hubby's Dad had some very difficult times medically and one hates to admit it but we were scared.   There it is right in front of you and just when you had to face your own mortality in a very sobering and frightening time, you are faced with your parents mortality.   Not that we don't thing about that at times especially as they are aging, but suddenly it's immediately clear how very real it is that one day they will no longer be here with us in person.  Of course they will always be a part of us and their memory carries on with us and in our children and their future.    Both are doing much better and they too will be very thankful for another holiday to celebrate with family.

I'm so ready to look on the brighter side of things and while some days find myself worrying so about the "what ifs" but know too well that doesn't help and will only "trap" me in a bubble of doom and gloom and as if any of us need to intentionally worry about more every day than we already do, just because we're human!   There is far too much to experience in going forward to allow that kind of thinking to happen.

I had my first day in a working role, just yesterday since last November and while I was so very dogged even after only 6 hours, it felt good to be a part of the working world again.   I'm getting there and know I just have to be patient with myself, that alone is a big challenge, because on a good day it's easy to forget just how much time it has taken to come this far.

I've stopped the cancer count as you will note on some blog entries, from here on there's no counting except to count myself VERY thankful to be here all the days ahead of me!

In the name of iMac....the "Apple" of everyone's eye!...apparently!

April 2013

If you ever wondered how to garner attention from complete strangers,  in the
form of compliments, praise, accolades, well I know just the way!

With our son's Mac Computer in hand and travelling via subway and city sidewalk, we headed to the Apple store for updates that had been requested via a letter from Apple.    The cool part too was our son had received notification for such via an email from Apple, while he was residing in South Korea for one year.    Our son then let us know of the notification and set up our appointment with Apple at the Eaton's Centre, Toronto, from his lap top in Namyangju, from half way across the world.

Carrying the 27" screen was a little cumbersome, but as we went along it didn't seem as bad as we were high fived, and given notable praise and instant friendly greetings by the world of fans of Apple!

It felt like we were a tv ad and it would have been a great one too!   For all anyone knew it could have been just the box itself and having realized that, thought, "HEY, maybe I'll come into the city with JUST the MAC BOX!"   and do a little social study!   It was a real "boost" for the ol' ego, everywhere we went we got noticed...or should I say the MAC did!


"HEY great choice of computer!"
"Wow, lucky new owners of a Mac!!"
"You're going to love your choice!"
"Hey you got a mac, you made the right decision!"

There was one high five given, many big smiles, numerous "thumbs up", and people who noticed as they passed by and then did a 360 turn to be sure to congratulate us on what appeared to be our new purchase!

   Mac; if it could talk,  John and I rather enjoyed the experience non-the-less, and it only gave me greater desire to go back to T.O or anywhere for that matter and do the FREE HUG and make document of reactions.    It made me think too about what we as a society will stop and take notice of and what we choose to ignore.   Where we will instantly involve ourselves with others and where we will go out of our way to avoid people.   Knowing what is valued over what often should be valued makes me sad, but I have to admit that knowing how easily people reached out to a perfect stranger; in a very small and while not so very meaningful way, made me feel there IS hope for us as people!!!!!!
: )

I BeLEAF, I BeLEAF!

 A great big unexpected event happened in my life this past year, so why shouldn't it happen for the Leafs too, but a positive event!   Don't get me wrong as I have had some wonderful new events present themselves in having had the unexpected happen and so for the Leafs I wish for a really big positive event long overdue!

I've really been excited about the Leafs being in the playoffs - anything to be excited for the Leafs!
The only difficulty I am finding is that even with a much shorter hockey season and playoff season, it seems almost agonizing every time I think "this is it" and ask, "...so who do they play after this?"...and to this point John has always answered, "Boston".   I usually respond with, "AGAIN!".  I know I know, I'm slowly catching on...the best of 7, The BEST of SEVEN!

Well tonight we dawned our jerseys and I've been reminiscing about one of two games we ever attended a few years ago...who knows maybe the only two we will ever attend at the prices...the tickets were given to us.   Whether you like hockey or not, like many events, seeing it live is a pretty exciting experience in any case!   The game is entertaining but if the action is a little lack luster, there is always the sport of people watching...that never gets dull!!!

Well I'm off to bed with a happy heart knowing the leafs won tonight's game, but full of anxiety as well knowing tomorrow night if they don't win their final game against Boston, oh let's not even go there and ride the blue wave!!!!  I really really would love to see the Stanley Cup held high by the men in blue!  Yip, yip, yippee!
Go Leafs Go!

A Friendly Giant On Any Stage.

Recently I read an article from Eagle.ca with regards to the lovely Bob Homme, a.k.a, the Friendly Giant.
Myself and many from my generation and later my own children, would have felt very much a part of a special group of company entering into the living room at the castle for a morning with Friendly, Jerome Giraffe, and Rusty the Rooster and perhaps a surprise guest each week as well.
Years ago while writing on a fairly regular basis for a local column, I had written a piece about Friendly, having spoken with and invited him to dinner at the child care setting I was working in and then later having the opportunity to meet with and talk with him.

 Imagine ones delight to find that just as he was such a pleasure to listen to on television he was every bit the gentle giant to meet in real life and you felt so much joy in just listening to him.

The Good, the Bad and the Lesson-all in a memory!

Yesterday and today I have noticed a Daddy and his little girl down at the parking lot working together to teach her how to ride a two wheeler.   It's a sweet visual and brings a flood of bittersweet thoughts to me.   I love watching and wonder if they realize what a magic time it really is for both of them and having said that recall my own children learning to ride a bike and on our street and in that very parking lot as well.   Over the years we have seen many a new cyclist meet there successful first ride right there and that goes for new drivers as well practicing parking skills and more.

I am transported back to yesteryear and it's a happy and sad moment realizing so much time has passed as well as so many memorable moments.   Of course with children the opposite happens as well.  You know when you're in a store or somewhere public and you hear a child crying or screaming; out of temper, and you just can't help but think, "Thank God it's not mine!"!   Memorable and long since forgotten.

Back to the lessons in the parking lot, as I look out the window and watch the Dad cautiously step back and the new rider confidently roll forward, I think wow that could easily be Ashley and her Daddy, but remember how she has just had her twentieth birthday!   It goes so quickly.   Next week will be Mother's Day and that in itself holds some special memories from once upon a few years ago so with "the lesson" and also Mother's day fast approaching here is a story from that time and the weather today is just as it was on that day of "The Lesson".   Ah the memories.

 

The Lesson…a memorable Mother’s Day  1999

Just when you feel at wits end with your children and the world feels a wreck, something wonderful happens and a flood of joy restores your weary soul!  This Mother’s joyful restoration came on Mother’s Day!

The past couple of weeks had been plagued with seemingly endless hours of homework, my eldest son (Intrepid) had been assigned or was trying to catch up on.  Dear Ol’ Mom pulled up the coaches seat; or perhaps the coaxer’s seat, to ensure he reached the end before dooms day.  Dooms day of course is the due date.

Our younger son (Kid Brother) bewildered with what to do without Intrepid available was not a happy camper.   His only happiness now would come in spurts of opportunities to poke at the sensitive nerve endings of his little sister(Little Miss).

While I concentrated on keeping Intrepid's attention focused on his school work, Hubby had his hands full trying to keep the peace between Kid Brother and Little Miss.   Not an easy job!!!

These two children are extremely stubborn at times, ‘er what I mean to say is equally strong willed.

Intrepid and I busy at the desk, Little Miss contentedly plays with her Barbies, and Kid Brother meanders through the house proclaiming his great boredom.  Hubby and I attempt to help him out by rhyming off various activities he might consider pursuing.  He takes on a stance of the unmovable and and shaking his head gives a resounding “NO”!   Then, knowing what I’m about to suggest may not be well received I do the unthinkable; it’s a very touchy subject.   We know better than to speak of it, but Hubby and I say in what is sure to be painful unison from Kid Brother’s point of view, “Why don’t you try riding your bike?” !   It’s too late, we can’t retract, but much to our delightful surprise he says,

“O.K.!” !  

Hubby says, “Great!”.  Coach and apprentice then look forward to a little one on one time.  …That’s when Little Miss, the ever present little sister overhears and she too wants to join them.  Following a thankfully brief “kerfuffle” the trio; Hubby, Kid Brother and Little Miss-Tagalong go out into the great outdoors.

Independently standing at driveway’s end where the street is a gentle slope, one foot on the peddle, one foot on the ground, the last moment of doubt melting away, he lifts his foot and he’s off!  Down the hill and still going as he steers round the corner!  The moment is magic having had many attempts prior to this day!

I crank the window full out expand my lungs and shout, “Way to go, you did it.  Yahoo, yes, yahoo!”.   Hubby is looking very pleased for the encouragement worked and for our son’s success.

Moments later Kid Brother bursts through the door sporting a smile almost too large for himself.  We share a victory hug and in a flash he has flown away on his bicycle once again.

Finally having completed his work, Intrepid joins Kid Brother outdoors.  With Kid Brother wrapped in a blanket of confidence they work together as a team; a touching moment, to provide Little Miss with the same!

It seemed in just the blink of an eye, with brotherly words of encouragement and physical support, Little Miss was soon in full flight on wheels.  From the peanut gallery Hubby and I cheer them all on; the newest cyclist and her coaches.

Isn’t it great when they show themselves just how much they really do care for each other.  More of that kind of support for each other and we know we’ll all be just fine.

As a mom, it’s great to know some days are just like that!  : )