I grew up in a family of welcoming people, who unfortunately at times were more pleasant and kind mannered toward friends than their own family, however, the trueth is there is nothing our family would not do for each other.
I was lucky enough to have two parents who truly loved each other. They spent most of their time together and understood that this was a good foundation to bring children up. My mother was a super hero of sorts. There is nothing that she would not do to put a smile on our ( my sister and I) faces. She believed in creating memories that would last for a lifetime. She was truly successful at this. My mother never left the house without her hair done or makeup on. She was a thin women who never stopped going. She had energy to no end. She cooked, she cleaned and she raised us kids. She was a force to be reckoned with at times for my sister and I, as well as my father. She ran a cleaning business and later left that to work at a grocery store. I think this is the first time I ever seen my mother unsure of herself. Learning a new job was nerve wrecking for her but once she got the hang of it she loved it and learned all of the gossip there as well. My mother was very loyal to her family, especially her mother and father and called my Nana daily or at the very least every Sunday. She was thrifty and crafy and I would say even a little frugal at times. It is unfortunate that she died so young. I loved my mother; she knew that so I have no regrets. There was really nothing left unsaid. She died with dignity on her own terms. This was the second and last time I have ever seen my mother in a weakened state. My father was a strong man. Good with his hands. He made my mother happy by doing renovations and always had another job on the go at home and a lot of jobs would take much longer than necessary, but my mother accepted this. he was who he was. He really was a rough tough cream puff. I was close with my dad. he was an accepting person. My most vivid memory of my dad was laying on the floor with him on Wednesday nights, with a bag of lays chips to watch The Little House on the Prairie. My father was much like Pa on that show. He loved to be around people, he could stand his ground and he also loved to party and drink. My father was a funny man who could always make you laugh. He loved music and it was very serious to him. He died only three years after my mother. I was truly fortunate to have them as my parents. You will notice that I do not mention what they died from. There is a reason and that is that it doesn't matter. My parents lives consisted of many days and their deaths only consist of one day. I will not disrespect their memories by focussing on that one day.
Secondly, I was fortunate to have the best grandparents on both sides of my family. Grandparents who made sure we had the best holiday memories, who took us places, who bought special food for us and who would chat for hours. Grandparents who had senses of humour and were surprisingly modern. There are so many memories and things that I have learned from my grandparents that if I started I would never stop. I remember Poppy playing Oh when the saints on the organ. I remember picking my nana up from her work at the Post Office and listening to her funny stories. I remember grandpa and grandma doing pottery with meand letting me listen to puff the magic dragon on their record player. Every holiday has a memory and I can remember a little of each one. I have learned from them so many things. I am so fortunate and thankful for them all.
I was also blessed to have a second Kind of Mother and Father. Sally and Roger. Family friends for years. People who I cannot remember a time that we didn't know them. I have so many happy memories at Sally and Roger's house. Ther was the pasta neclaces, tea parties gone wrong, and in general a place you always felt comfortable to go even when running away with a sack of mittens in the middle of the summer. These people are family. The kind of people that would be there for us no matter what. When you go to visit you can't help but feeling better for being in their home and in their presence. They are my home away from home. When being away from Kincardine seems lonely, Sally has always been a phone call away. I have learned so much and have been so fortunate to have the Trokes as part of my life. Sally and Roger, represent people who know who they are and are proud of it. Always willing and able to stake a stand and always willing to have a laugh, but most importantly always willing to lend a helping hand.
In addition, I also had many friends over the years but several have been lifers with me through he thick and thin of life.
Todd who was my first husband and my highschool sweetheart of sorts. I will be the first to say he was clumsy, and sucked with money. Monogamy was not necessarily his strong suit but beyond all of that I loved him any way. No matter what, Todd always had a smile or a funny antidote. He was truly a guenuine person, when he ask you something, no matter who you were, you got the sense that he truely was interested in the answer. With Todd what you seen was what you got and I loved him for that. Through him I was able to be apart several wonderful families. Unfortunately, he died very young but he left an imprint of all who knew him and he left behind one son. Through the years passing, I have been so fortunate that the mother of his son has been willing and kind enough to chat and let me know how his son is doing.
Beyond that, there were friends who have been with me through it all but I can only name a few.... So many stories, so many things and people to be truly thankful for.
Jenn, I think I have known Jenn since age 5 when I kicked her off my property. She was born March 3rd and I was born March 4th. From age 5 to age 12 we were neighbours. I can still remember her old phone number off by heart. We were always together. Jenn is one of those people who just "is who she is" and she is not afraid to say it. We have been through some pretty tough times and we have also shared many happy memories. There are so many stories that would have you in disbelief, where would I even start. She has been with me through thick and thin and for that i am eternally grateful.
Amanda, we met in Grade 5 or 6 and have been around each other ever since. We shared the ups and downs of becoming a teenager. We cruised downtown Kincardine in Style with her mother and sister blasting music. We have seen movies together, drank together and laughed together. Amanda is the kind of person, who is sure of her self and strong. I admire that about her. She is independant. There has never been a moment in my life when Amanda wasn't there for me. She has stopped everything at times to come running when I was in crisis... Let me tell you it has been a hard job... I am not the luckiest person on the block. Amanda has always been thoughtful and she is the one person I have been able to count on no matter what. There is nothing that I could not share with Amanda and there is noone who knows me better. I have been so fortunate to have the opportunately to have such a wonderful friend.
Part 2 Influential People Coming Tomorrow
