Blog Candy Winner and Why friends Mean so Much to Me.

First order of Business:

The blog that had the movie that you had to guess was Lois' blog at: http://sweetsomethingsbylois.blogspot.com/

The movie she enjoys is: THE GOONIES

The lucky winner of my blog candy is: No. 4...JO ANN...you won a fun filled RAK from me....I will send this out to you this week. Thank you everyone for playing.

Second Order of Business:

A Sad Story but with so much to be greatful for: I thought I would share just how much friendships mean to me.

This is a pic of my mom and my oldest DS. Mom, I love you.

This week I have been celebrating my 44th Birthday. I mean this celebration went all week long. A first for me.I am very blessed to have such wonderful friends to help me make a very sad day for me a lot more sweeter.

I last saw my mom on my 29th birthday when the Blue Jays won their first penant of two in a row. My mom surprised me at her home with a party and a cake she baked for me. She decorated the top of the cake with little baseball players. I was infatuated with Robbie Alomar.

On my birthday, it was the last day that I actually sat down with my mom as we always did, every day. I lived across the street from my parents so it was like I never left home.

My Mom and Dad left for vacation to Portugal on Oct 24th and I never saw her again. My life was turned upside down.

On December 1st my mom suffered a stroke. My family kept it from me at first, so as to not upset me. I am the youngest of six. I later learned why my Mom wasn't coming home on the 1st of December and I was so heartbroken. My 2 1/2 year old son was in for surgery and I wanted my mom there with me. The doctors said that my mom shouldn't fly right away and that she wouldn't come home for Christmas. They also mentioned that she would be home for New Years. The next day, when I got home from work, I got the news that my mom had died. A peice of me died with her. My mom died on December 8th and we brought her home to be buried on Canadian soil on December 15th. My Mom loved Canada and made it her home.

As for me, all holidays and especially Christmas have never been the same. My birthday, especially has never been the same. I lived in an abusive marriage for 15 years and my parents were my strength to face the world. When I lost my mother I thought I had lost my right arm. A few years later my father passed away due to an accident at home. There was talk about him being discharged from the hospital and they took him off of the ventilator. The nurses doctors and I rejoiced that he could breath on his own. On November 2nd, 2000, I got a phone call from the hospital and they asked me to come in. My father passed away minutes after I left the room during my final melt down.

So needless to say, I do make each day a special day but holidays and especially my Birthday are very difficult days for me to deal with. This year, as I know you cannot put a time on healing, my friends showed me their love by just caring.

This week I have felt so much love from my dear friends and it means the world to me. One of my friends came to vist with her kids and we went out for dinner. I hadn't seen her in over a year and her visit meant the world to me. Her, the kids and I had a wonderful visit. I have her to thank for helping me through the rough times. I had to move far away and one thing that hurt the most was being far from my friends.

My other friend sent me a bouquet of beautiful flowers. She lives two hours away. Aren't these flowers so beautiful? She sends me flowers so that I can once again, love them as I once did many years ago. She knows I love orange for fall.

My friend from High School, whom I haven't seen in 25 years ( I found her on Facebook) came with her DH and took my kids and I to dinner tonight. Here is the practical joke that she played on me. I knew she was up to something.....this lady makes me laugh so hard that I almost pull a stitch. My friend and I have picked up where we left off. Two crazy nuts. She has showed me that no matter what has happened in my life, I am still the same person she knew 25 years ago. That has helped me heal. Here I am with Bull Winkle on my head LOL...my sweet kiddies by my side. My oldest DS was working. I am sure he will laugh at this photo.

"I wonder if I can fly with these things on my head?" The grand Puba.......We had such a lovely time. Then back to my house for a Pac Man Tournament. She still kicks my butt. LOL>

On my actual birthday evening.....the kids and I had pizza. I baked a cake in the afternoon and my DD iced it. So here I am making a wish on my 44th Birthday. My kids and friends have made this birthday a memorable one......surrounded by love.

Thanks for coming by......~~~Bela~~~