A single weed in a field of yellow can be magical. It’s that time in Spring when dandelions create a magical golden carpet on park fields. T and I enjoyed a nice walk on Mothers Day. The sun was shining and it was warm enough for T-shirts, shorts and crocs. “Oh my God, stop takingContinue reading “The Golden Spark”
Category Archives: love
Meet the Parents
When the hubby and my parents first met each other 20 years ago, it started quite comically. A few seconds into meeting, Ma started talking about the time she and her siblings drove by New Brunswick, where my in laws live, and didn’t think much of it because she didn’t see any flowers. It wasContinue reading “Meet the Parents”
Being Everest
Pretending to be a Siberian husky to my 8-year-old is something I never thought I’d treasure. Any parent to a young child will likely be familiar with Paw Patrol, a cartoon about six dogs saving the day at Adventure Bay. T has outgrown this show, but one character has stuck with him: Everest, a SiberianContinue reading “Being Everest”
Fighting Spirit
Body, mind, spirit. They are all connected and nourishing them means a stronger you. Self care is as essential as oxygen to daily life as a parent of a child with FASD. Last fall and the first few weeks of the new year drained my batteries and emptied my reserves. I did not have theContinue reading “Fighting Spirit”
Still Young and Not As Restless
I celebrated another lap around the sun the same week an iconic soap opera celebrated its 50th. More so than ever, I’m most thankful for my family, friends, health, and the opportunities to do things and be with those I love. While I am lowkey about my birthday, I appreciate when people remember to sendContinue reading “Still Young and Not As Restless”
The Skin We’re In
Being thick skinned takes work, whether it comes to parenting or Air Frying pork belly. When I cook, one of my self care routines, I find parallels with parenting a child with FASD. My cousin gifted us an Air Fryer for Christmas and it’s been amazing to make recipes on my bucket list, most recentlyContinue reading “The Skin We’re In”
Chosen Family
Holidays provide time for rest and reflection. Family Day is a special holiday, because it comes after Valentines and the anniversary of finalizing T’s adoption in court. When T was a toddler, we loved reading Todd Parr’s Family Book, which spoke about families in all forms – nuclear, single parent or multi-generational households, same sexContinue reading “Chosen Family”
Stand Under My Umbrella
Six years ago today, also a Wednesday, T, the hubby and I became a forever family. In many ways, it feels like a lifetime ago when our adoption was finalized in court – and in other ways, I think with awe, “Has it been only six years?!” So many moments have happened since – joyousContinue reading “Stand Under My Umbrella”
Sweet Dreams
Time flies. It’s hard to believe but our little guy turned lucky number 8 last weekend. T had been counting down excitedly for weeks. But his birthday week got off to a rough start. Last Monday, T woke up around midnight and threw up. A lot. Then woke up every hour after to throw upContinue reading “Sweet Dreams”
All That Matters
Our family’s recent and first experience with COVID reminded me what’s truly important in life. Yes, the dreaded COVID finally hit our family and I was a single parent for nearly two weeks. Shortly after my sister’s funeral during the holidays, our family was longing for respite. No more bad news, please. A few daysContinue reading “All That Matters”
The Wedding
We took our 7-year-old to his first wedding this past weekend. Well, at least the first wedding he’ll remember. He attended his first and only wedding in 2016, a friend’s destination wedding, when he was 1. As with all social events, we had some initial apprehension of how T will be. But we believe it’sContinue reading “The Wedding”
Sharing Our Son’s FASD Diagnosis with Him
There are crucial conversations in life that stick out vividly long after they’ve happened. Coming out when I was 14; telling my parents I was moving out; our wedding vows; the adoption worker telling us we were matched with T. Over the Christmas break, I had two more: one that was planned and another thatContinue reading “Sharing Our Son’s FASD Diagnosis with Him”
Marshmallow Halo
Processing and understanding death is hard for kids. Sometimes, stuffed animals can help. T’s Auntie’s – my sister’s – death a few days after Christmas was sudden and despite the unexpectedness, T is doing ok. I continue to check in with him every day to see how he’s doing. Kids often don’t tell you howContinue reading “Marshmallow Halo”
Everything Everywhere All At Once
In another universe, I’m a novelist and our son is disability free. Oh, the what ifs of the multiverse. I watched “Everything Everywhere All At Once” this weekend, the Michelle Yeoh-starring film that is generating major Oscar buzz. The film is about the multiverse, where infinite and different versions of the same characters exist. TheContinue reading “Everything Everywhere All At Once”
Here Comes The Sun
“Nothing makes the darkness go like the light…” Earlier this week, the hubby and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. The day began with dark clouds and high winds. Instead of seeing it as an unlucky #13 omen, I loved that the winds brought high waves in the usually calm bay – and with theContinue reading “Here Comes The Sun”
First Sleepover
A cotton candy sunset on the beach was the backdrop to a memorable first for our boy. Our three-week family vacation is flying by. We are creating happy memories while navigating super trying moments. Last Sunday, the end of week two, T was reunited with his cousin A, who was visiting for the week. AsContinue reading “First Sleepover”
The Homeless Man
Slowly, our little one’s innocence will be tempered with lessons about the hardships of the world. On a drive home this weekend, we stopped at a red light and a disshelved man approached each car, with a cup in his hands. We found two loonies in our car and I rolled down the window andContinue reading “The Homeless Man”
Early Morning Goodbyes
One blessing during the pandemic was spending more time together as a family. When I was losing my mind with virtual schooling, I stopped to think when else could I take a break during work to go for a walk with T or to eat breakfast together when I’d normally be at work. This summer,Continue reading “Early Morning Goodbyes”
The Giving Tree
A scary thunderstorm downed a tree and created unexpected treehouse fun for neighbourhood kids. Saturday started off like any other Saturday – with T getting up earlier than my brain and body was ready for; playing dead no longer works. After lunch, as I was about to head out for groceries, Environment Canada issued aContinue reading “The Giving Tree”
Wildflower
What if we let the weeds grow freely? I thought about this from the perspective of parenting when I read this article about naturalists encouraging people not to mow lawns or pluck weeds, in an effort to encourage biodiversity. Biodiversity, it is argued, is good for everyone, including animals and endangered bees. Naturalists encourage usContinue reading “Wildflower”
My Life With T 