my mother, my daughter, myself

it always amazes me that when i was younger i was absolutely sure that i was completely different than my mother in all ways. but now that im a lot older and a little bit wiser,i know that is simply not true. so often now when i laugh i sound like my mother, when i speak i hear her ideas emanating from my mouth and when i give my daughter advice there are many times i tell her the same things that my mother told me.

equally interesting is the fact that when my daughter was younger, i used to look at her and listen to her and think that she was nothing like me, and that i wished she was at least a little like me. now that she is older and i take the time to listen to her thoughts and hopes and wishes, when she laughs i hear myself and when she speaks i hear myself and some of her ideas are the same as mine.

i've heard many times adults make comments about how their parents were being completely wrong in just about everything, but now that they are older they are surprised at just how smart their parents are actually. so i feel sure that there were many times my daughter thought the same when she was younger. even though we do not openly disagree all the time but we still had our moments. often she kept her opinions to herself when we disagree and she thought i was completely off-base with my comments/opinions. now however when we speak, since i hear many of my opinions and thoughts in her voice, it would appear that we've reached the place in our relationship where we mutually respect each others opinions because quite frankly so many of our opinions are the same. so now i come to think !....what does all these mean? it is likely that much of what we think and do and say have been formatted in our minds by the people who helped us grow up? so this does not surprise me at all, now when i hear my daughter say something that my mother use to tell me too.

my mother, my daughter, myself--we are all bound together by family ties; all different in many ways, yet also all alike in many, many wonderful ways.

a very special poem for a very special mom

there are so many moments

when i wish you knew... how much you matter to me

and how much i thank you for being such a wonderful mother.

if there is happiness in my heart,

it's because you help put it there.

if there is gentleness in my beliefs,

it's because you showed me how to care.

if there is understanding in my thinking,

its because you shared your wisdom.

if there is a rainbow over my shoulder,

its because of your outlook and your vision.

if there is a knowledge that i can reach out -

and i really can make some dreams come true -

its because i learned from the best

teacher of all.

i learned... from you.

in the times of my life, whether we are near or

far, please remember that there could never be any mother more

wonderful... than the one you are.

- chris gallatin

my dear lord,

the above is specially dedicated to my mom who has gone before us. dear lord, please place her in your heavenly kingdom. she is a special mom, always putting her children first before herself. i love her lord. she is the best and i want to thank you for giving me such a wonderful mom. i love you mommy mary koek.

happy birthday vivienne

this time around is my sister's birthday. 15march,2010 was her happy day and this is my wish for her...

BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS

instead of counting candles, or tallying the years

contemplate your blessings now, as your birthday nears

consider special people who love you and who care

and others who enriched your life just by being there

think about the memories passing years can never mar

experiences great and small that have made you who you are

another year is a happy gift, so cut your cake and say "instead of counting birthdays

i count blessings everyday!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear sister

happy birthday victor

feb28,2010 was my brother's birthday. wanted so much to be the first to wish him but have to admit i was 14days late. but a day didn't pass that i forgot this special day. here is what i had to say...

to a brother that is caring

to a brother that is full of love

to a brother who can make me laugh when i am sad and protects me when i am threatened.

to my brother for all those times you stood by me and helped me out

for all those times when i pulled away and you pulled me back

and for all those times i thank GOD for a brother like you

i am glad you are my brother and i wanna thank you for everything!

HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY!!