Mother's Day and the gift I want for all moms.

Love.

Gratitude. 

Kenny what are you grateful for? 

Answer: "Ottawa" 

My eyes filled with tears. 

Apparently this is what my son said when the school councelor made a visit to his class to talk about "feelings, sharing and friendship". 

In forty five days Kenny and I are moving to another province, another city - Ottawa. 

Sixteen months ago Kenny suddenly lost his dad. 
Sixteen months ago Kenny's life took on a new rhythm of constant change. 
Sixteen months ago we slowly began the process of dismantling our home in preparation for our move. 
Sixteen months ago Kenny began to witness his mom cry more then she has throughout his whole life. 

In forty five days Kenny will be saying goodbye to friends, family members and the only community he knows. 

Inspite of all this my son is happy. Inspite of all this he is open to the move to Ottawa. 

I am Grateful. 🙏🙏🙏

Someone at Kenny's school asked me "what are you doing so that Kenny is navigating his way through this life change so well?"

I noticed my immediate default was to not take any of the credit and suggested it is most likely because of his age, or maybe his happy disposition is simply in his genes. But the question made me pause and consider the conscious decisions I have made as I embrace this journey of grief as a mom. I am not certain how much my choices has made a positive difference but today as I experience another Mother's Day without Brian I am acutely aware of the power of love. 

Kenny and I have had a tribe of love around us. 

Everyday my first and foremost intention is that Kenny knows he is safe and loved. 

Because of our tribe of love I have more love to give to Kenny. 

Love.

I am learning that knowing and feeling you are loved is all a child needs. 

Gratitude. 

Today on this Mother's Day I have a happy son. For that I am deeply grateful. 

Today on this Mother's Day I am sharing it with my mom, the team lead of the family tribe of love from Ottawa. ❤️🙏

Today on this Mother's Day I deeply miss Brian and I am also deeply grateful for our tribe of love. Thank you. (You know who you are 💝).

Gratitude. Love. That is my wish for all mothers on this Mother's Day. 

Happy Mother's Day. 💛

P.S The pictures are of a night out with a few individuals from our love tribe; watching the Ottawa Senators play in the playoffs. The next day Kenny is waving a Senators flag in front of his school shouting "Go Ottawa Go! Go Ottawa Go!"  

Maybe the cajoling of making him an avid Ottawa Senators fan has also influenced his gratitude for Ottawa.☺️

May we all create a life where we have an abundance of love. 
May we all exercise the commitment to do so.