Christmas at Starbucks

I'm sitting in a Starbucks in Kingston, Ontario..... listening to Christmas music, watching people stroll by with the crisp air puffing out of their mouths as they speak with their lovers, friends, family or perhaps they are strangers..... regardless.... Christmas is in the air.

This moment is what reminds me of LOVE. 

I have an americano misto made with reduced fat egg nog going, my new friend is working on his computer next to me and I am sitting in my own silence thinking of those I love and those I am grateful for.......

Kevin Nicol, my beau..... someone who is genuine and real. He loves with his whole heart, me, his dog (jackson) his family, his friends, My friends and My family.....Nothing I do is anything less than perfect in his eyes... even when I am far from..... He is truth in all forms, and for him I am grateful.

Serena Kolida, my roomy and my rock. She has been there literally every step of my life in the past 3.5 years. Through personal, romantic and business challenges, Serena has guided me with the words and wisdom of a TRUE friend, not someone who wants to shove the problem off to the next person.... Be it big or small, my problem or concern, is hers too.
Her home has been opened to me and is considered Mine just as much as hers..... life would not be the same without her, and for her I am grateful.

My Dad, He is the man of my dreams........ I'm his little girl. He lived apart from my Mom through my childhood but never apart from Me. I saw him regularly and spoke to him more. He was and continues to be there for all of my stepping stones, or lack there of stepping stones ....All I want in life is to make him a proud papa..... As I am a very very proud daughter, for him I am grateful.

My Mom, words can not explain how I feel about this woman......those who know me, or knew her... know her incredible spirit lives on...She taught me how to be strong and independent. How to love others AND myself..... She taught me that its ok to make mistakes as long as you learn from them. With a physical body no longer near me, her love, her glory, her dreams and her soul remain in me every day... and for Her, I am eternally grateful.

My Uncle Ron, Moms big brother... a man of huge arms to hug you with, an even larger heart and believe it or not a larger voice LOL. If you know him, you understand. His laughter carries miles.... and is contagious regardless if you know what He's laughing at or not..... He loves very strongly and will always NO MATTER what be there for me, and for Him I am grateful.

Thanya, My aunt through marriage, and friend through love. This woman taught me things that my parents weren't able to.... for whatever reason, being uncomfortable perhaps... not Thanya... anything goes and anything DID. From this incredibly spirited woman, I learned things that I today still take with me. This woman taught me to laugh so hard i peed, to dance like your never going to hear music again..... To question the world and expect some answers.....To be human and be perfect in all my  imperfections..... For Her, I am grateful

Travis, my dear friend whom sadly I no longer get to see..... someone who helped me in hard times, who brought insight into my days, coffee into my early early cold winter shifts..... more hilarious moments than I can count. A man who played the guitar for me while i cried on sad days.... who wrote songs for me to make me smile....... A friend whom through all the craziness that is life, I will always be grateful for.

Jamie Whiskin, a woman so beautiful its slightly painful sometimes..... a friend who teaches me about myself without even knowing it. She has been a friend for over 10 years, but has become more than that in the last few.... becoming more of a sister to me.  I wish nothing but greatness for you my love.... .and for you, I am grateful.

...... and now I'm tearing up...... still in Starbucks..... but I'm in Kingston and don't know anybody.... and so i cry:)

Lindsay Byers, my poor poor sick pregnant friend..... my soul mate I have called you........ Beautiful and full of life, this woman has shared so many memories with me. Nights of chaos, crying, singing, dancing and life choices...... You know it all babe.... and for you I am grateful.

Derek Campbell, I hope this doesn't offend anyone, as He was my first boyfriend... my first 'long timer' i was 17....... and I grew up with Derek. I learned a lot about who i was, what life meant, who and what I needed in my life.......friends, family, life partners, co workers, acquaintances... everybody. Derek brought laughter and happiness to me for many years.... and although romantically we were not supposed to be together, human to human, I hope for wonderful things for Derek. He is a very proud father now, for as long as I can remember, being a Dad was his dream.... congratulations to you. For many years past and I'm sure all my years to come,  I am grateful for you.

Julie Dyke, My mothers best friend. A woman who has overcome more life obstacles than anybody I have ever met.... Julie has remained un jaded by a life of challenge, love and loss. Tears and rage, but mostly love... Love for her higher power, love for her husband, her children, her friends and her friends children. If you look up the words strength, love, incredible and mother, you will see JULIE DYKE in the dictionary... .and for all of this, I am grateful.

My Grandparents (Rita from Dad, Roy and Avis from Mom) I do not remember my grandad from my Dad...... Avis, my moms mom passed away when I was seven. But what I do remember is a bundle of joy love and giggles.... Grandma Avis taught me to hang a moon.... THIS i will never forget....lol bouncing in her 4 poster bed calling for Mom to come see what Grandma taught me......."MOOOOONY" ahhhhhhh the laughter filled that house.... i can still hear it.

Grandpa Roy, avis's husband was a strong man, both physically and mentally. He may have been an intimidating father, but He was a loving proud papa. He'd bounce me on his knee until i was too big to do so... Have me comb his perfectly greased back hair, and trace his full happy face with my finger over and over again.......
"Bellarena, figure skaterrrrrrrrr" He'd say as I danced around his living room....Or his famous..."Heeeeeere she comes....... Missssssss America...." He loved me to bits.... I know this......
He taught me to play crib, and once in a while let me win..... He passed when I was about 22. But his face shines bright in my mind and my heart.

Grandma Rita, Dads beautiful mom...... Grandma Rita, loved her family more than one could fathom. She knew every date, every anniversary, birthday, graduation, first date...... first tooth lost.... all of it, for all her 7 children and all of their 7 children....... and then all of their children...... Never ceased to impress me with her love.
For ALL of their love and lessons, I am grateful.

The Gagnon's (Decaro's and Shearing's), My family is big, wonderful, and always ready for a family gathering..... Holiday dinners, anniversaries, birthdays... .any excuse to gather, love, laugh and eat..... we'll do it. For many years, as the youngest cousin, and all of my 'older' cousins were travelling the world, I was the only 'kid' who would make it to family dinners.... I secretly loved it!! I love hanging out with the aunts and uncles. Grandma could spend all her energy and time on her youngest grandchild (ME)!! The Gagnon's ( Shearing and Decaro also) remain close knit, and in a world as disfunctional as this one, my family remains.... and for all of them, I am grateful.

My clients.....Oh my goodness... can i name you all......
Karen, Tracy, Sandy, Naomi, Kristal, Casey, Jen (times ... 4) Jenny, Mark, Ian, Treena, Keira, Fran, Mike, Jori, Deb, Lori, Nicole, Natalie, Jill, Adam, Erin, Furey, Alexa, Jesse, Amy, Steph, Anne, April, Betsey, Becca, Candice, Kelly, Charlotte, Serena, Rob, Peter, Jason, Lesley, Masa, Christina, Deanna, Deana, Elysha, Jasmine, George, Janice, Greg, Holly, Heather, Julianna, Kristi, Katie (times 3), Kim, Lauren, Lexie, Lisa (times 2), Liz, Maria, Mel,Melissa, Pam, Patrick, Rhiannon, Siobhan, Stacey, Tonya, Vicky, Yvonne..... Ohhh I hope i didn't miss anyone.
My inspiration to continue working my job, comes from NO OTHER than my clients.... My heart is full of love, passion, drive and determination because of YOU, so for you ALL, I am grateful.

I think its important for us all in our crazy hustle and bustle days.... to stop even for a moment and remember those who mean the most to us......Try to, in your own way, let them know too:)

All too often, life gets busy and we forget the simple things such as saying THANK YOU, or I LOVE YOU......


For everyone listed above, 
THANK YOU & I SINCERELY LOVE YOU........
xo 
~Ky