The past month was a whirlwind of emotions, I will not lie.  But out of trying times often comes laughter and perspective…I will try to be brief, but some background is required.

My Mom has been hobbling around with an increasingly sore hip since my son (now 3) was born.  One minor injury turned into the need for a hip replacement and, of course with all surgery, the fear of the unknown.  You see, I’m very lucky to even have my Mom here today.  Eleven years ago she was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, whisked in for surgery and began 6 long months of chemo.  That was the same summer we were married.  I think the wedding was a blessing in disguise as it helped to keep our minds on something more positive and tone down the bridzilla in me ;).  See what I mean?  Laughter and perspective.

Thankfully Mom has had great health since then.  She’s also young and looking forward to being more active again (I’m serious when I say I can’t keep up with her…energizer bunny).  However, to get to good health, she had to endure the joys of surgery again and the prospect of “what if”.  Now as luck would have it, my Mother-in-law was going to be in town during the time I needed to be across the country (thank you!), so the stars aligned beautifully and I didn’t have to worry about my babies..okay, I still did, but more in a missing them way, than a what’s going on way.  I guess I’m just in that “sandwich generation”.  Looking after my kids, while giving back to my parents.

Well, the surgery went off without a hitch and she was so very grateful to come out of it with flying colours that we really wondered if she’d lost it those first few days in the hospital (drugs probably helped!!).  “Oh, the food is sooo good here!”  Really?  “Everyone is so nice!”  They were, but you’d think she’d gone to the spa for the weekend!  Again, laughter and perspective.  I also got to spend a quiet two weeks with my Mom….this just doesn’t really happen when you have two active children around, so it was very nice to just hang out together.  Now the added bonus of all this was that I got to spend a few days with my brother and sister-in-law and you cannot help but laugh when you’re around my brother!  He also let me “babysit” his iphone…ilove….

So, without further ado, here’s a few images from my time in Victoria.  Happy Mother’s Day Mum and I’m so happy things are progressing so well!

Surrounded by tropical (and not so tropical 😉 ) flowers…

My brother and I shopping…this never ends well as neither one of us is very good at it and we’d rather goof around and drink coffee!

The beautiful blossoms in Beacon Hill Park.

Mt. Baker a hop, skip and a jump away.

And you can’t go to Victoria without some really yummy seafood!

Sorry I can’t be there today Mum, but enjoy your day regardless and know we’re all thinking of you!!

Part II of the trip coming soon!

Shona 🙂