I am awake, I am alive, and on this day that honours women around the world, I thought it only fitting to say a few words to those who have helped shape this woman …

Mom, I wish you were here. I would take DAYS to catch you up on all that has happened since you left, all the ways that I took what you and Dad taught me and RAN with it. And then I would take you to see Kazz and Keith and introduce you to my grandchildren. MY grandchildren Mom, how crazy does that sound? They will carry on the best of who you were just as I strive to do every single day.

And Jo, I so wish you were still here too. THANK YOU for showing me that kind and caring and patient and boss DO go together! Thank you for always having time, thank you for always caring, thank you for being such a wonderful example of all a woman could and should be. But more than anything else, thank you for being my friend.

Nana, thank you for showing me strength and humility every single day. Thank you for showing me that owning your past failings is how you win at whatever you are facing now. Thank you for teaching me to bead for it is the medicine I know will calm any insanity. Thank you for your laughter and your teachings. Thank you for your friendship and guidance. Thank you for just being you.

Cassandra, thank you for being my daughter. Thank you for the million ways you bless me every single year, none of which I will list here because you are a private person, and I respect that. But thank you …

And Evelyn, these tears I cry are from sheer joy because that is what I feel when I imagine all that you will one day be. You are already SO BIG in love and excitement and enthusiasm and you are only FIVE! There is so much more honey, so much more and I promise to show you as much of it as possible, as much as Mommy and Daddy allow.

And to every single woman reading these words, KNOW that you are special, you are needed, you are beautiful, and you are loved. I know this to be true because I most definitely love you.

Happy International Women’s Day everyone!
 

I love you!
HUGSSSSSSSSS
Sandi

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