Returning home to Calgary is always bitter-sweet. I was blessed with a wonderful, magical childhood that every kid in this world deserves but doesn't always get. Life was never perfect but I had two parents who gave me wings and taught me to never second-guess my dreams.Well, except for that one time I dreamed I was riding to a desert island in a shark's mouth.
This last trip to my childhood home was more meaningful than ever.
When I wasn't busy groveling for votes for the Microsoft Office Winters Games Contest, Hadley, Bode and I spent the majority of our time hanging out with family. We collected pine cones in my parent's golf cart, took naps, got sick, got better, visited my dear friend Stacey, went to breakfast at glorious Cora's and played with cousins.
We also took daily walks with my parent's dogs
and rolled down the gully near my house.
Note: It was my father who instigated that one, not me. Kinda humbling to still get your butt kicked by your 70-year-old dad.But the true highlight was when we took a trip to Southern Alberta for my niece Ashton's special day.
I went for several runs, exploring my favorite haunts around my neighborhood, through Fish Creek Provincial Park, and along the swollen Bow River. It was in these places, along these trails, that I first learned to dream, explore and soar.
Those moments were the sweet.
The bitter was dealing with my mother's rapidly declining health.
Since I originally wrote about her 25-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis, she has become more open about her condition. And accepted it. She has regular debilitating attacks, can no longer drive and relies on my father for most of her day-to-day tasks. They stay abreast on cutting-edge treatments, praying for the day she might be one of the recipients. It is a process that is both hopeful and heart-breaking.
I am glad to be back in Denver. It was a great trip. It was a sobering trip. And I cannot think of a better time to be there than during Thanksgiving so that I could count my many blessings.
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15 Comments:
It is nice to spend such a wonderful time with family.
I am really looking forward to spend Christmas with my family this year.
Fabiola
PS.: I voted every day for you. When are you going to find out?
Great pictures! I'm very impressed by your Dad's hill rolling abilities!
The man IS impressive!
I'll find out about the contest in the next couple of weeks. They will be publicly announcing it at CES in January.
I just spent the week with my parents visiting me and I have to say the same, it was wonderful but very sobering. I was very sad when they left because I'm realizing that life the way they/we know it, is changing as they get older. I guess we take the moments we have and enjoy them. I'm glad you had a nice visit.
Agreed. It's all a part of life and aging but that doesn't make it any easier!
What fun!!
It is a wonderful feeling to be at your childhood home. I have read your blog for sometime and always think to myself, I should take her out for coffee the next time you are here. lol then I think, that might be kinda weird.
Oh, and Coras...... FABulous
Not weird at all. Some of my favorite bloggers are my closest friends!
We'll have to hit Cora's when I'm in town this summer.
Hi Amber:
I've always enjoyed your blog, after stumbling upon it a couple years ago. So sorry to hear about your mother. My younger brother was diagnosed with MS a number of years back and has hit roadblock after roadblock on managing the disease. It's so hard to see someone you love suffering and in my case in someone so young. We've had a news break in the Canadian news regarding MS. I've included the link... hoping that we are on the right track for a cure. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091120/W5_liberation_091121/20091121?s_name=W5
Shawna
Glad to have you back! The trip looks fun, except for the illness parts.
BTW, your mom looks radiant.
It's always great to spend time with family. How great to be able to get to visit your childhood home.
Amber, I'm so sorry about your mom. I have a SIL with MS--it is a tough disease to watch someone struggle with. I heard about the report Shawna mentioned. I'm hoping and praying that there will be a cure soon. Your mom is beautiful.
Can't wait to hear about the Microsoft results.
BTW, I didn't know that they had Cora's anywhere but Winnipeg.
Thanks for the link-I'll be sure to check it out. I imagine it's re: the new discovery made in Italy. Hopeful but rumor has it that it won't be made available for years.
I'm glad you got to have such a nice visit with your family. Going home always makes me very reflective, it's like therapy.
We are lucky to have such wonderful family!
I am sorry your mom is struggling. I can see why you said the trip was sobering.
Check out your dad all rolling down the hill. Much respect.
Glad you had a good and meaningful trip.
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