Tag: Mother

Mom’s Day v2 – a different perspective

Post author By Randy Friesen
Post date May 10, 2011
1 Comment on Mom’s Day v2 – a different perspective

After I wrote the Mom’s Day blog on Sunday, we headed out for an afternoon White Rock beach walk…but not before a stop at Chris’ wall.

We’ve been there many times by now and although there were no services going on at the time, it was like rush hour at the facility.

At first we didn’t get it and then it became incredibly obvious. Families had come out to remember their Moms and Grandmas. Fresh flowers were everywhere. If it wasn’t a cemetery I would say it was beautiful.

Actually…I take that last comment back. It was beautiful. The beauty was not the marking of death and passing, but rather the symbol of remembrance and respect. I can only imagine, but as people stood by the markers of their loved ones, they were thinking about how that person had affected their own lives and how they would live on to honour and respect that memory.

As we were leaving, a man in his 40’s we guess came with his aging Dad (their physical resemblance was uncanny). They approached the wall and we didn’t see where they went, but we’re pretty sure it was to acknowledge a wife and mother.

Mother’s Day in the cemetery. Hadn’t really thought of it before. As sad as it could be, it was also pretty amazing to see the influence these women had on their families in some cases generations later.

That’s a pretty special legacy.

Tags Be The Best., Christian Friesen, Family, Grandparent, grief, Happy Mother's Day, Home, Mother, Mother Day, New Normal, one decision at a time, Parent, Race and ethnicity in the United States Census

Mom’s Day

I can hardly believe it’s been a year since I wrote these words:

I want to introduce you to an amazing mother. Dealing with our two characters was 2 parts challenge and 100 parts love. Ingrid taught our boys how to think for themselves. She taught them to be independent. She taught them how to respectfully make their voice heard while insisting on listening to others. One of Chris’ friends, Clayton, used to say to Chris…”That Ingrid…amazing woman”. Sort of funny from a 14 year old, but he had it right. Amazing woman indeed.

A HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all Moms out there including my own, Leona, and my Mom-in-law, Grace!

Those words are all true again this year.

This past 52 weeks has seen my Dad and then my Mom battle health issues that made them over-acquainted with hospital beds and our health care system in general.

Thankfully, as of this week, they are both at home after a few months away for Dad and almost a month for Mom.

As I told my Mom recently, her battle to fight for her health and to fight to look after Dad was and is incredible. I know much of my own work ethic comes from this woman who on a usual Sunday back in the day would have made lunch for 20 people, taught a Sunday School lesson, braided three sets of hair (no, mine was not one of them…) and sang in the choir. And that was all before 2pm.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!

To my Mom-in-law Grace, we often think of the days you walked with Max and Chris to the bus at our old place before and after school. Those after school snacks were legendary as was the interaction you had with the boys. Those are special moments that live forever.

Today as Ingrid spends some not-that-often one on one time with Max (he took her out for brunch and a walk), I reflect on her journey. I stand beside her as she places a single white rose on Chris’ wall as we remember. I watch in awe as she so proudly talks about both her sons and has the grace and determination to continue with life’s journey.

As any parents, we are excited and wondering where Max will go and what he will do as he turns the corner into adulthood. We remember Chris with each step and know he continues to be with us in spirit and as we remember all the other Moms, especially today, that have suffered the loss of a child…we join with you in the excitement of the day when we will be reunited with our loved ones.

Happy Mother’s Day to all.

Tags Family, Happy Mother's Day, holiday, Home, Mommy, Mother, Mother Day, Parent

Be The Best.

Run hard for your kids.

I read this article in my Thursday morning Province paper and it threw off my morning routine.

I usually glance through the headlines looking for work related issues, but the front page story caught me and I ended up reading the whole thing. It caused me to eat my cornflakes 4 minutes later than usual, causing an equal time delay in the tea making and subsequent vehicle extraction from the garage…but I digress.

You can read the article for yourself at this link.

It’s about Norma Mastidas, a 43 year old BC Mom who took up running ultramarathons when her son began to go blind.

It’s a sad but happy story filled with HOPE! It’s got BE THE BEST all over it!

Here’s a quote:

Documentary producer Kyra Thompson says Bastidas is “really an incredible woman.”

“She isn’t part of any giant organization -she is just one person having an impact on the world, literally one step at a time,” Thompson said.

“So many parents’ worst nightmare would be to receive the kind of news she did and to feel helpless. But she was able to turn it around and set such a great example for her sons about never giving up and helping others. If that is not extraordinary, I don’t know what is.”

Ladner mom’s extraordinary efforts to help son earn spot in Oprah documentary (theprovince.com)
Documentary to feature B.C. mom who literally climbs mountains for her kid (canada.com)
Documentary to feature B.C. mom who literally climbs mountains for her kid (globaltvbc.com)

Tags Family, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Home, Mother, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount McKinley, Parent, Vinson Massif

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