December 25th, 2009
Julia came running into our room at 6:30 a.m. this morning - “MOM-DAD IT’S CHRISTMAS - LET’S GO!!! CAN I WAKE UP SEAN AND JULIA!!???” At nine years old, Julia is totally excited, your face lit up as you saw your fuff chair. Julia, you open up your stocking and immediately offer to share the candy as “I know you love this chocolate mom”, then you offer to read to your little sister and she snuggles into your arms. What a lovely sweet girl you are. I sit in awe of you, admiring the generous, caring person you have grown into and am overwhelmed by gratitude.
Sean and Kristina are both just thrilled with each toy, each present seeming better than the one before, and you just can’t wait to play together with all your new toys. Of course your big sister will orchestrate the fun. Just two days ago she thought up the idea of everyone having a mailbox on their doors (she made of paper) so you could all send eachother notes. Daily the notes are passed. Kristina can only write limited words like I love you- so her notes are mostly love notes. Sean loves to ask questions and Julia sends inpirational messages.
The rock tumbler is now tumbling, you kids are excitedly playing with all your toys nicely together and now it’s time for mom and dad to hit the hot tub and reflect on our blessings!
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August 2nd, 2009
Summer has brought so many good times, I love watching you kids play together. You are so close, rarely fight and just love getting lost in the games of imagination that Julia creates for you. We have been so busy, from camping every few weeks, boating and swimteam to visiting grandma and playing with friends. I’m trying to spend as much time with you kids as possible, work brings such satisfaction yet so much guilt. When I’m with you, I feel stress as I know there are things that need to be done for work and when I’m working, I want so desperately to be with you kids. Guilt and stress - they go together, it’s this heavy weight that looms. I know it serves no purpose, how does one get rid of the constant weight that bears down from just needing to be both a mom and run a business…
Sean my love lost his two front teeth this week, he’s such a doll, sweet to the core. I love that all my children are so affectionate, so snuggly and still want me all the time. Julia - a swimmer - who knew?! She has such a great attitude on life, she lives for friends and is such a leader. Kristina, my baby, you need mommy time and I’m giving you as much as I can. You are quite the swimmer, learning the crawl, backstroke and swimming like a fish underwater. You claim to be the best swinger in the world as you can swing higher than any kid on the planet.
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May 10th, 2009
One of the things that brings me great joy is watching Julia’s Optimism. Whenever things don’t go her way, she responds “oh well…” then she’ll elaborate a reason why it’s fine with her. When someone asks her how she is, she replies “great” because she wants to make sure they know she is great. Fine or Good could just be an answer even when you’re feeling bad but “great” l leaves no doubt… she explains to me. I tried to explain to her that she is an optimist with the lemons and lemonade idea and and she responded, even just lemons would be great… I love lemons… indeed she does.
Where does this optimism come from? The belief that everything is going to be okay? Grandma. She passed this to me even in my darkest hours - she told me God had a plan for me. Even after many years of trying and four miscarriages she assured me that I would be a mother some day.
Her deep belief in God and his love for me, his plans for my life were her assured answers to my deepest concerns. Her constant praise and faith that I could be and do anything I wanted - built the foundation for my lifetime and this hope, optimism and confidence, I hope to pass onto my children in the same way she passed it down to me.
My parents legacy of love did not just affect their own children but countless others from the many foster kids they took in, exchange students and foreigners from around the world. The net of love they have cast hit the water and the ripples touch the lives of many. Has my mom changed the world… yes and most definitely for the better.
Click on this twice to see the Tribute
Happy Mother’s Day!
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April 18th, 2009
There is no one more beautiful in this world than my mom. She is an angel among us. A selfless soul who finds immense joy in giving to others.
When I went to find this photo to demonstrate what an angel my mom is- I was suprised to see the halo on her head. Sure I KNOW she’s an angel but I’ve never actually SEEN the halo before.
What kind of woman hoots and hollers so loud at a basketball game to cheer on her grandson that even the umps hear her and are distracted? The kind of woman who at 70+ searches the web for the mini-zippers for a ski outfit for the doll of grandaughter that just learned to ski, hand knits a scarf and hat and makes mini-doll size custom skis.
She’s the same kind of woman who will go out of her way every week to work with the poor in Schenectady, who will cry deeply when you’re hurt and give of her self until there is no more.
I could not admire anyone more than I admire my mom. She is so full of love and effervescent joy. She listens deeply when hard times hit and offers sage advice. She is the person I most want to be like in life.
I have been blessed, my greatest blessing in life has been my mother. Thank you God for my mom.
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March 14th, 2009
Every year, the girls get together the first freezing weekend in March to celebrate Melissa Pagnotta’s birthday in Lake Placid. She is an amazing woman, sweet, kind and fun. These girls play hard, make you laugh until you pee your pants and ski like pros. I can’t go into to details of what happens on girls weekend, I’m sworn to silence, but I do believe that every one - guys and girls - needs their own “gender” only weekend at least once a year. Remember what it was like to giggle all night long at your slumber parties when you were eight? This is even better and it’s what makes life so great. Happy Birthday Melissa!
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