A toast to Mama of Buy Some Love

Following Julia's lead, I would like to toast my Mama!

When I was my son's age (age 2), a war started in our country.

My mom (pregnant with my sister) left her parents, her friends and every family member to flee the country that she called home.

My mom, my dad and I arrived in Germany with only the clothes on our backs and huge dreams for a new life.

To start all over again in a new country with a toddler and being pregnant must have taken the strength and courage of an army.

Being in a new country, where you didn't know the language, where you didn't have a job, where you only had enough food for your kids to eat.

I can't even BEGIN to imagine what that must have been like.

Right before hitting my teenage years, my mom decided that she wanted a new start...in Canada.

We again, packed our suitcases with a few change of clothes and new dreams and called Canada our new home.

I didn't have the latest clothes or the gadgets that all the other kids had in school, growing up.

We didn't even have a tv for so many years.

What got us by?

The love for each other, our dreams, my sisters and PLENTY of time for crafting.

My success in our shop...the honour only belongs to my mom (and dad).

She instilled in us the value of crafting and art and enjoying life through our talents.

(My dad instilled in me the business aspect and gave me the workaholic gene...but that, I will share with you on Father's Day)

(My sister is super awesome at scrapbooking and card making and my little sister just graduated OCAD (The university for Art) in painting.

So, on Mother's Day...I ALWAYS have tears in my eyes because I truly appreciate everything my mom did for us.

So, on Mother's Day...I toast to YOU, Mama!