Dear Claire,
It has been a long time since I've written to you...I don't know where the past month has gone! I guess with Christmas, New Years and planning your Birthday Party I haven't had time to write. Eeek!
Anyway, on Friday you will turn three years old! Can you believe it? You have been such a great big sister lately and are really starting to play with Jack more and more. You always bring him "his" toys to play with and you're getting better and sharing "your" toys with him too. Lately, you think it's hilarious to let him chase you, but you're way too fast because he can only crawl. Poor Jack!
Mommy thinks that a sibling is one of the best people in the world. You are so lucky to have a brother, I always wanted to have a brother when I was little, but having Aunty Andrea was still pretty good. A sibling will know you better than anyone. Jack will know your good, bad, and your ugly. He will know how to push all of your buttons and will definitely do this throughout your childhood, and probably still sometimes when you're both grown up!
You and Jack may not grow up to be best friends. You may only get together on the holidays or other special events. You may not see eye-to-eye on many topics.
You don't have to, he's still your brother.
You will know his favourite things and all the things he hates. You will know what he does when he's mad and what his different laughs mean when he's happy. You will know all the "bad" things he did as a teenager that mommy and daddy don't even know about. You will know all the things he's great at and you will also know his greatest struggles.
You will share more history, more memories, more experiences, and more DNA with him than almost anyone else you ever spend time with.
So be nice to Jack. Love him, take care of him, laugh with him, tell on him, keep his secrets for him, and be there for him when he needs you. And if you do this, something tells me, he'll do the same for you.
Love you Claire Bear!
Mom
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Love At First Sight *sigh*
Dear Claire,
Since I'm your mother, you probably know by now that I'm not really a "romantic" person. I find some of it so over-the-top that it makes me cringe and feel icky. It's just not me.
But I do belive, one hundred percent, in love at first sight.
All sorts of people will say "there's no such thing", but they are wrong.
On January 25, 2010, a tiny, naked, precious, baby girl was put onto my chest. I looked down at her and a flood of one emotion came over me - love.
I didn't know you. I had never seen you before. And yet I loved you immediately, I loved you in that moment and in all of the moments since.
Even when I'm tired and impatient. Even when you've said "Mommy" eighty-three times before nine a.m. Even when you put your whole hand in your cup of milk causing it to overflow onto the table and then onto the floor.
I still love you. You are my favourite little girl in the whole world.
And if someone ever tells you "there's no such thing as love at first sight"; just let your heart smile, because you know there is.
Love you forever,
Mom
Since I'm your mother, you probably know by now that I'm not really a "romantic" person. I find some of it so over-the-top that it makes me cringe and feel icky. It's just not me.
But I do belive, one hundred percent, in love at first sight.
All sorts of people will say "there's no such thing", but they are wrong.
On January 25, 2010, a tiny, naked, precious, baby girl was put onto my chest. I looked down at her and a flood of one emotion came over me - love.
I didn't know you. I had never seen you before. And yet I loved you immediately, I loved you in that moment and in all of the moments since.
Even when I'm tired and impatient. Even when you've said "Mommy" eighty-three times before nine a.m. Even when you put your whole hand in your cup of milk causing it to overflow onto the table and then onto the floor.
I still love you. You are my favourite little girl in the whole world.
And if someone ever tells you "there's no such thing as love at first sight"; just let your heart smile, because you know there is.
Love you forever,
Mom
Monday, September 17, 2012
Be Grateful
Dear Claire,
Growing up in a stereo-typical, middle-class family in a small Canadian town means, that it may at times, be difficult to understand and recognize, how truly fortunate you are.
Most of your classmates and friends will have shoes on their feet, clothes on their backs, and a roof over their head. Many of them will get to play soccer each summer and go skating in the winter. Some of them will go on family vacations, have cottages, and always have the newest technology.
Chances are, you'll probably want to have and do all of these things, and I hope that you are able to.
There's nothing wrong with having, and doing, and experiencing the best that life has to offer, as long as you are grateful and appreciate all that you have.
Unfortunately, there is no way you'll be able to appreciate what you have, unless you recognize all the things many people in our community, country, and world live without. You won't really appreciate going on a vacation until you learn that many people never get a few hundred kilometers past the town they were born in. You won't appreciate your new 'back-to-school' clothes, until you know of a family who is struggling just to buy new shoes.
One day, if you work hard in school and are able to save extra money, you may be able to travel and see first-hand what real poverty looks like; then you will really appreciate all that you have.
Until then you can get a glimpse of poverty, war, imprisonment, and all the other struggles I hope you never personally experience, through good literature, through reading the newspaper, and through watching the news. Hopefully this will help you empathize with people whether you know them or not. Hopefully this will help you appreciate all the gifts you were given due only to your place of birth. And above all, hopefully this will encourage you to help others in whatever way you are able.
Here are some great books I read growing up which truly altered the way I saw other people and the struggles that were forced upon them:
Here are some that I read as I got older...
Love you when you know how lucky you are!
Mom
Growing up in a stereo-typical, middle-class family in a small Canadian town means, that it may at times, be difficult to understand and recognize, how truly fortunate you are.
Most of your classmates and friends will have shoes on their feet, clothes on their backs, and a roof over their head. Many of them will get to play soccer each summer and go skating in the winter. Some of them will go on family vacations, have cottages, and always have the newest technology.
Chances are, you'll probably want to have and do all of these things, and I hope that you are able to.
There's nothing wrong with having, and doing, and experiencing the best that life has to offer, as long as you are grateful and appreciate all that you have.
Unfortunately, there is no way you'll be able to appreciate what you have, unless you recognize all the things many people in our community, country, and world live without. You won't really appreciate going on a vacation until you learn that many people never get a few hundred kilometers past the town they were born in. You won't appreciate your new 'back-to-school' clothes, until you know of a family who is struggling just to buy new shoes.
One day, if you work hard in school and are able to save extra money, you may be able to travel and see first-hand what real poverty looks like; then you will really appreciate all that you have.
Until then you can get a glimpse of poverty, war, imprisonment, and all the other struggles I hope you never personally experience, through good literature, through reading the newspaper, and through watching the news. Hopefully this will help you empathize with people whether you know them or not. Hopefully this will help you appreciate all the gifts you were given due only to your place of birth. And above all, hopefully this will encourage you to help others in whatever way you are able.
Here are some great books I read growing up which truly altered the way I saw other people and the struggles that were forced upon them:
Here are some that I read as I got older...
Mom
Monday, September 10, 2012
It's Their Problem, Not Yours
Dear Claire,
One day, if you become a mother, be prepared to receive an avalanche of "questions", "concerns" and "advice" from friends, family, acquaintaneces and of course, complete strangers.
People are going to want to know what type of labor you're planning (natural or medicated?!), if you're going to breast or bottle feed, what school you're going to send your children to, what solids you plan on feeding them, what clubs you'll sign them up for, and on and on and on.
You'll be able to tell if people ask you these questions because they truly care about you and your children, because they'll be a huge fan and one-hundred percent supportive of whatever your answers are.
If they question and critique your choices and/or decisions, chances are they're just trying to make themselves feel better about the decisions they've made. It's not your problem.
Here's the thing...parenting is mostly a guessing game and usually done through trial and error. Sure there's some decisions made based on your values, but most of the time you're just making decisions based on what feels best for you and your family.
You don't ever have to explain or justify your parenting decisions to anyone. As long as you feel right about what you're doing, than you've done a fantastic job.
So my advice to you is to take the critics with a grain of salt, and just be grateful that you're happy and confident in whatever way you've chosen to raise your beautiful children.
Love you and your choices!
Mom
One day, if you become a mother, be prepared to receive an avalanche of "questions", "concerns" and "advice" from friends, family, acquaintaneces and of course, complete strangers.
People are going to want to know what type of labor you're planning (natural or medicated?!), if you're going to breast or bottle feed, what school you're going to send your children to, what solids you plan on feeding them, what clubs you'll sign them up for, and on and on and on.
You'll be able to tell if people ask you these questions because they truly care about you and your children, because they'll be a huge fan and one-hundred percent supportive of whatever your answers are.
If they question and critique your choices and/or decisions, chances are they're just trying to make themselves feel better about the decisions they've made. It's not your problem.
Here's the thing...parenting is mostly a guessing game and usually done through trial and error. Sure there's some decisions made based on your values, but most of the time you're just making decisions based on what feels best for you and your family.
You don't ever have to explain or justify your parenting decisions to anyone. As long as you feel right about what you're doing, than you've done a fantastic job.
So my advice to you is to take the critics with a grain of salt, and just be grateful that you're happy and confident in whatever way you've chosen to raise your beautiful children.
Love you and your choices!
Mom
Monday, July 23, 2012
Yes Means Yes
Dear Claire,
This advice is super easy to say, but not always easy to follow.
It is simply that, yes means yes.
Incorporating this phrase into your values will improve many of your relationships, whether with friends, significant others, people at work, and those in your community.
What does 'yes means yes' mean?
It means that if you say you're going to do something, you're going to do it.
I know you're probably thinking that this seems pretty easy, but for most people, including myself sometimes, it's not.
The trick to being able to live by this rule is this: take time to think about something before agreeing to do it.
Ask yourself: is this something I really want to do? What if it takes longer than expected, do I want to put in extra time? Will I find personal fullfillment in this? Will I enjoy spending time with the other people involved? Do I have the energy to do this?
Remember, there are very few situations where you have to give a 'yes or no' answer immediately, yet most people feel that this is what they have to do.
Don't.
Take the time to think about something before you agree to it, especially if it's going to be something that may impact you in the long-term.
Obviously there's going to be times when you can't keep a committment, just don't let this become a constant, or people will lose their faith and trust in you.
Love you when you follow through!
This advice is super easy to say, but not always easy to follow.
It is simply that, yes means yes.
Incorporating this phrase into your values will improve many of your relationships, whether with friends, significant others, people at work, and those in your community.
What does 'yes means yes' mean?
It means that if you say you're going to do something, you're going to do it.
I know you're probably thinking that this seems pretty easy, but for most people, including myself sometimes, it's not.
The trick to being able to live by this rule is this: take time to think about something before agreeing to do it.
Ask yourself: is this something I really want to do? What if it takes longer than expected, do I want to put in extra time? Will I find personal fullfillment in this? Will I enjoy spending time with the other people involved? Do I have the energy to do this?
Remember, there are very few situations where you have to give a 'yes or no' answer immediately, yet most people feel that this is what they have to do.
Don't.
Take the time to think about something before you agree to it, especially if it's going to be something that may impact you in the long-term.
Obviously there's going to be times when you can't keep a committment, just don't let this become a constant, or people will lose their faith and trust in you.
Love you when you follow through!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Fearless Woman #3 - The One You're Related To
Dear Claire,
Don't be fooled by all of my 'Fearless Woman' entries being about famous people thus far! You don't have to become a mega star to be fearless; the proof is in the women around you.
Believe it or not, you come from a long line of many fearless women! Now before we go into details it is important to know there is a huge difference between being fearless and being reckless. Most women are reckless at some point in life, mostly between ages 14-24, when you will most likely make some pretty crazy (and sometimes dangerous!) choices. Being reckless is part of growing up, and for the most part it's imperative because you will learn from some of these impulsive decisions (hopefully the first time around and with very little physical and emotional damage). Being fearless however, means making a conscious decision, and even though you know the journey and the end point will be difficult, you do it anyway, because you believe the lasting outcome will be worth it.
Fearless Female Relative #1: Dr. Andrea Pomeroy (also known as Auntie Andrea)
Auntie Andrea is a real brainy butt-kicker! After spending years doing a ton of environment saving/protection projects she moved all the way to Vancouver, BC and earned her PH.D! Can you imagine being only 23 years old and moving all the way across the country alone? She didn't know a single person living there! Since then she's challenged herself by speaking at huge conferences, spending 3 months in a tent in Alaska, and climbing to the top of an 80 metres high wind turbine.
Fearless Female Relative #2: Aunt Jeannie
Aunt Jeannie is fearless in a whole other realm; she is fearless with her emotions and her heart. Many years ago Aunt Jeannie had two wonderful children, Tammy Shannon and Shane Aaron. Unfortunately, they were both born with a very rare, and at the time, unknown illness. The illness had no name and only the symptoms, not the cause, could be treated. These beautiful children spent many of their days living in the hospital until they passed away, Shannon at seventeen months old and Shane, shortly after his second birthday.
Losing a child is the most horrific thing any mother can imagine; it is a pain that I literally cannot describe and pray I never have to.
Eighteen years later, Aunt Jeannie decided to have another baby. Medical innovations had occurred and the illness that she had lost both Shannon and Shane to had now been named and the cause determined. Despite her fears and the overwhelming pain of losing two children, Jeannie decided to make an extremely courageous decision and brought little Samantha into the world. This is a fearlessness that only mothers who have been through the same suffering can understand. Jeannie was brave beyond belief in her willingness to once again open her heart to a new life and nurture a new love.
Fearless Female Relative #3: Teaghan Frauley
Did you know that your cousin Teaghan is a true warrior? When she was just three years old Teaghan was diagnosed with Leukemia. We were all so worried about her because she seemed so small to be so sick. Little did we know that even though she was only a toddler; Teaghan was a fearless woman-in-training! She was so brave through all the pokes and prodding, through the vomitting and exhaustion, and even through losing her hair. Since then Teaghan has helped her family raise tens of thousands of dollars and donated all of it to The Hospital For Sick Kids - what an amazing young woman! Here's a picture of her on her "Officially Cured" day:
Well Claire-Bear, these are just three of your 'Fearless Female Relatives'; there are many more! Can you imagine what it would have been like for your Great-Nani Goepfrich to get on a boat and move all the way from Hungary to Canada? What about your Great-Nana Chessum who took wonderful care of her husband who was paralyzed at a young age? You even have a Great-Aunt Cathy who helps run an orphanage living in Sierra Leone! You have so many amazing women in your family so you will never have to look far for inspiration. Just think - being fearless is in your blood! You were born fearless so it is up to you to rise to the challenge that you choose.
Love you a hundred times,
Mom
Don't be fooled by all of my 'Fearless Woman' entries being about famous people thus far! You don't have to become a mega star to be fearless; the proof is in the women around you.
Believe it or not, you come from a long line of many fearless women! Now before we go into details it is important to know there is a huge difference between being fearless and being reckless. Most women are reckless at some point in life, mostly between ages 14-24, when you will most likely make some pretty crazy (and sometimes dangerous!) choices. Being reckless is part of growing up, and for the most part it's imperative because you will learn from some of these impulsive decisions (hopefully the first time around and with very little physical and emotional damage). Being fearless however, means making a conscious decision, and even though you know the journey and the end point will be difficult, you do it anyway, because you believe the lasting outcome will be worth it.
Fearless Female Relative #1: Dr. Andrea Pomeroy (also known as Auntie Andrea)
Auntie Andrea is a real brainy butt-kicker! After spending years doing a ton of environment saving/protection projects she moved all the way to Vancouver, BC and earned her PH.D! Can you imagine being only 23 years old and moving all the way across the country alone? She didn't know a single person living there! Since then she's challenged herself by speaking at huge conferences, spending 3 months in a tent in Alaska, and climbing to the top of an 80 metres high wind turbine.
Fearless Female Relative #2: Aunt Jeannie
Aunt Jeannie is fearless in a whole other realm; she is fearless with her emotions and her heart. Many years ago Aunt Jeannie had two wonderful children, Tammy Shannon and Shane Aaron. Unfortunately, they were both born with a very rare, and at the time, unknown illness. The illness had no name and only the symptoms, not the cause, could be treated. These beautiful children spent many of their days living in the hospital until they passed away, Shannon at seventeen months old and Shane, shortly after his second birthday.
Losing a child is the most horrific thing any mother can imagine; it is a pain that I literally cannot describe and pray I never have to.
Eighteen years later, Aunt Jeannie decided to have another baby. Medical innovations had occurred and the illness that she had lost both Shannon and Shane to had now been named and the cause determined. Despite her fears and the overwhelming pain of losing two children, Jeannie decided to make an extremely courageous decision and brought little Samantha into the world. This is a fearlessness that only mothers who have been through the same suffering can understand. Jeannie was brave beyond belief in her willingness to once again open her heart to a new life and nurture a new love.
Fearless Female Relative #3: Teaghan Frauley
Did you know that your cousin Teaghan is a true warrior? When she was just three years old Teaghan was diagnosed with Leukemia. We were all so worried about her because she seemed so small to be so sick. Little did we know that even though she was only a toddler; Teaghan was a fearless woman-in-training! She was so brave through all the pokes and prodding, through the vomitting and exhaustion, and even through losing her hair. Since then Teaghan has helped her family raise tens of thousands of dollars and donated all of it to The Hospital For Sick Kids - what an amazing young woman! Here's a picture of her on her "Officially Cured" day:
Well Claire-Bear, these are just three of your 'Fearless Female Relatives'; there are many more! Can you imagine what it would have been like for your Great-Nani Goepfrich to get on a boat and move all the way from Hungary to Canada? What about your Great-Nana Chessum who took wonderful care of her husband who was paralyzed at a young age? You even have a Great-Aunt Cathy who helps run an orphanage living in Sierra Leone! You have so many amazing women in your family so you will never have to look far for inspiration. Just think - being fearless is in your blood! You were born fearless so it is up to you to rise to the challenge that you choose.
Love you a hundred times,
Mom
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Grandma Love is the Best Love
Dear Claire,
There is something very unique and special about the love of a Grandmother. Growing up I was lucky to have this special love from my Nani (that's your Grandma's Mom). Although I loved my Grandma-Pomeroy very much, I had an exceptionally close relationship with Nani.
I am so grateful for all the time I spend with my Nani! When I was a little girl she would take me to McDonald's for chicken mcnuggets (a real treat!), buy me water paints and paper dolls (my favourites!) and always let me look at all her old pictures (my most favourite thing in the whole world to do!). I would ask her all sorts of questions and she would share with me all her stories of growing up, getting married, having her children, and all the things she learned along the way.
As I got older, we spent our time together differently, I would help her clean her house, take her out for lunch or shopping, and talk on the phone (she loved celebrity gossip!). What I felt most from Nani was unconditional love. She wouldn't lecture, or nag, or offer advice when it wasn't asked for. As your mother, I reserve the right to do those things. I will lecture, nag, and offer advice (hello! I'm writing a whole blog of un-asked for advice!). I will do these things and still love you unconditionally; it might just not always feel that way.
I hope that you have a special relationship with your Grandma Pomeroy; there is so much you can learn from and with her.
She can teach you how to sew, quilt and smock. How to cook the best lasagna and spare ribs. How to bake the best apple crisp, cherry-cheesecake, and short-bread cookies. How to make jam, preserve pickles and beets. How to plant the most beautiful garden and how to perfectly arrange flowers in a vase or bowl.
But the true learning will come from the conversations you have while doing these things together.
You can ask Grandma about living in Vanessa and Tillsonburg and what it was like going to a one-room school house! Ask about the witch who ran the store where she bought candy from. Find out what it was like living on a farm and all the animals they had. Ask about going to Huron Park and what subject she liked the most - she'll even tell you who her favourite teacher was. Find out how she burned her leg and had to wear pants all summer so that her parents wouldn't find out what happened. Ask how she met Grandpa and why she couldn't drink alcohol at their wedding. Ask what Mommy and Auntie Andrea were like as little babies, children, and teenagers.
Ask, ask, ask.
I promise you, these will be the best conversations you ever have, and you'll look back one day and be so grateful that you had them.
Love you non-stop,
Mom
There is something very unique and special about the love of a Grandmother. Growing up I was lucky to have this special love from my Nani (that's your Grandma's Mom). Although I loved my Grandma-Pomeroy very much, I had an exceptionally close relationship with Nani.
I am so grateful for all the time I spend with my Nani! When I was a little girl she would take me to McDonald's for chicken mcnuggets (a real treat!), buy me water paints and paper dolls (my favourites!) and always let me look at all her old pictures (my most favourite thing in the whole world to do!). I would ask her all sorts of questions and she would share with me all her stories of growing up, getting married, having her children, and all the things she learned along the way.
As I got older, we spent our time together differently, I would help her clean her house, take her out for lunch or shopping, and talk on the phone (she loved celebrity gossip!). What I felt most from Nani was unconditional love. She wouldn't lecture, or nag, or offer advice when it wasn't asked for. As your mother, I reserve the right to do those things. I will lecture, nag, and offer advice (hello! I'm writing a whole blog of un-asked for advice!). I will do these things and still love you unconditionally; it might just not always feel that way.
I hope that you have a special relationship with your Grandma Pomeroy; there is so much you can learn from and with her.
She can teach you how to sew, quilt and smock. How to cook the best lasagna and spare ribs. How to bake the best apple crisp, cherry-cheesecake, and short-bread cookies. How to make jam, preserve pickles and beets. How to plant the most beautiful garden and how to perfectly arrange flowers in a vase or bowl.
But the true learning will come from the conversations you have while doing these things together.
You can ask Grandma about living in Vanessa and Tillsonburg and what it was like going to a one-room school house! Ask about the witch who ran the store where she bought candy from. Find out what it was like living on a farm and all the animals they had. Ask about going to Huron Park and what subject she liked the most - she'll even tell you who her favourite teacher was. Find out how she burned her leg and had to wear pants all summer so that her parents wouldn't find out what happened. Ask how she met Grandpa and why she couldn't drink alcohol at their wedding. Ask what Mommy and Auntie Andrea were like as little babies, children, and teenagers.
Ask, ask, ask.
I promise you, these will be the best conversations you ever have, and you'll look back one day and be so grateful that you had them.
Love you non-stop,
Mom
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