Wow, where has the time gone

April 1993, accepted into the OPP Auxiliary Program, barely making ends meet, one little 2 year old running around - and I find out I am expecting child #2.

An unplanned pregnancy, but as he says "a great unexpected surprise", "not a mistake" He is so true, we call him the "zig instead of zag", but we call him our youngest boy, and we are so proud of him and the man he is.

Brady Geoffrey Thomas Pearson was born Oct 19 1993 - came into the world so fast, the doc still had his street clothes on. And oh boy, he was absolutely beautiful. Blue eyes, dark hair, olive coloured skin - just perfect!

He was a good baby, a great sleeper and loved his food (still does); he smiled all the time, and he got away with murder, especially with me, when he fluttered his eyelashes and smiled at me. He has grown up into a young man with morals, conviction, inner strength, love for life, committment and respect. He is sensible, driven and helpful. He loves his nephews and his auntie, his nannas and his poppas, his brother and his parents.

In the near 18 years that Kyle and Brady have shared, I have only seen true anger once. Yes, once - and that was over a girl. They still shared a room until they were 12 and 14, they still giggled until the early mornings; teased their daddy and hugged their mummy all the time.

Brady has a dream, and on the path to this dream he is going to find potholes, detours and barriers blocking his way. He just needs to know that all the people that he so clearly loves will be there to help fill that pothole with love and support; find a way around the detour; and stand beside him as he lifts the barriers in his path.

He is one stubborn little poop - if you can call 6'3" little; he will stand and argue his point til he wears you down; he will hold onto his morals tightly; he will protect those he cares about with his life; he is my joy.

Today he graduated from high school - and he has great plans - he will be a cop one day, he will do the army first - but he will succeed. Not only will he exceed, he will excel - because this is the young man he is. He hated school; hated homework; hated the confinement - but he knew our rules - Grade 12 is mandatory in this house . . . . and good marks, not just 51 and 52. Hard work pays off in the long run.

I am so proud to be his mummy. I still call him my baby. I can still tell him off. I can still ground him. But he is one of those kids that learns from his mistakes and has never repeated one.

I love you Brady-Bum. You were the biggest surprise in my life almost 18 years ago, but the best surprise ever. You will succeed, you will be a leader, you will be a good, honest man. I am so so proud to be your mummy, and I am so proud to walk beside you on this next journey in your life.

I love you my baby boy.

My special friend

Three years ago we probably would have just passed each other by at the bmx track and said Hi, or hello, or nod our heads in a greeting. We have often laughed about how she would chat so much that i would kinda listen, and kinda not. Not because I was being rude, but because I was dealing with dozens of people in a line up . . . and she just had to tell me just how she was going to handle staging, or what Devon had said, or had a question for me.

Then for some reason, something clicked. We just started talking; about our kids; about bmx; about photography . . . .

Suddenly it felt weird if I did not chat to her a couple of times a week; if i didn't get a chance to spend time with her and her man; if i didn't a hug from her lovely young son. I came to realize that I had a new very special friend in my life.

She talks my ear off; she yells things out; she calls ice 'frozen water'; she takes all my teasing and ribbing - and gives it back! she makes me smile with her positive outlook on life; she loves her students at school; she loves her friends unconditionally; she always sees the best in people, and situations; she has the patience of a saint!

But i think most importantly she has made me a better person. She has made me aware of the way I talk to people; had made me look at things with a much sunnier disposition; she has come into my life for a reason.

So Miss Frozen Water Squawking Bird/or Mindy/or chatterbox/ or whatever we are in the mood to call you that day -thank you! thank you for being you; thank you for opening your home and your family to me and my family; thank you for those late night chats; for those ears that have listened to my secrets, my sadness and my happiness. thank you for being in my life, three years ago I didn't even really know you - now I cannot imagine my life without you in it.

Yes Monique, I love you . . and I love who you are. Happy Birthday my friend.