Attitude of Gratitude

As a single mother for 13 years, the life I live now used to be the stuff of dreams. I used to work so much. When I had the time to spend with my eldest, I was exhausted. 2019 is my first year as a mother of 3. A teenager, a toddler, and a newborn. What a mess! Motherhood is TOUGH. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Yet, I’m so happy. I have the life I’ve always wanted. The opportunity to stay at home with your kids is a privilege denied to many. I am grateful for a partner that has my back and who supports our family the way he does.

The stroke happened swiftly and without warning. I couldn’t feel nor move my entire right side. I had more hoses, tubes and wires connected to my body than to the engine of my car. I immediately thought, “Well, I guess the countdown begins now”. My next thought, the one that brought tears to my eyes, was how I wasn’t going to be able to see my family, who are abroad, before my body completely shut down.
It’s been four months since the day I was given this new life, and I’m happy to say that through the help of my doctors, family, friends, therapists and GOD, I am 85-plus percent recovered, and expected to make a full recovery.
I am grateful I’m alive.

What am I thankful for this 2019?
It’s simple. Fulfillment.

The biggest and best blessing this year was my change in careers. After being an advertising firm owner and industry veteran of 17 years, I took the plunge to be an artist/photographer full time. A career which would allow me to always be creative and something I have always dreamt of doing. Thanks to the support of friends and family, and the outpouring of encouragement at my first local exhibit last July 4, I can move forward in this direction without any hesitation. While it isn’t a steady job, it has given me far less daily stress, and brought happiness and renewed meaning to my life.

Without a doubt, the biggest blessing this 2019 was turning 33, taking stock of my life, and walking away from the corporate track to return to entrepreneurship.

I’m thankful for my friends new and old in the Philippines!

I’m grateful for 11 years of marriage. And a beautiful supportive wife.

The biggest blessing this 2019 was deciding to help out with Ontario’s Colonel’s Inn. I’m busier than ever. It’s a blessing to make a difference for every guest that chooses to stay with us. It’s a 4-star House of Historical Significance for Canada — and what a rich history. We’re happy to grant our guests a taste of 1910 living with a 4-course breakfast! It was a totally unexpected change. In 2018, I was living in Hong Kong, down in the dumps — it was the worst year of my life. A year later, I’m here in Prescott, Ontario. I LOVE it here. When doors close — it’s just a door. Another one opens.