I first noticed her the day she gave a happy dollar for 40 years in business. A landscaping company she and her late husband started when their three girls were small. It is still thriving, so is she, and everything else she has taken on since. I was attending the meeting, as a guest, and someone pointed out that she was to be our next president.
The next time I saw her was in our office building lobby. I was getting a coffee noticed her talking to a small group of people. It was early and she had just attended our Women’s Breakfast. I lurked and waited for her to end the conversation already in full stride. It didn’t, but she began making her way to the door. I ran behind her and sheepishly excused myself for being so bold and stopping her. I just kept talking, cramming as much information as I could in one breath. As if she was only going to listen for one exhalation. She smiled and I was immediately at ease. She must have hugged me as that is her staple greeting. It is strong and genuine.
Over the next few Rotary meetings, we talked some more and became acquainted. I became an official Rotary member and she became The Queen. She held her kingdom the way she holds her life and career. With dignity, passion and assertiveness. As well as her long standing landscaping business, The Queen runs a very successful art gallery in our neighbouring town’s very chic downtown. She is the mother of three beautiful girls who carry her spirit and the grandmother of eight. Somehow she manages it all. She maintains friendships as if they were family.
I once landed on her front steps in a crisis. She let the tears flow and hugged me, for a long time. She took me in and sat with me. I am still unsure what took me there. Most surprisingly, that she was home. I still dont’ really know why she was the only person I could think of at that moment. I remember the feeling inside. I needed to go somewhere. That afternoon, she saved me. I hope she knows that.
At one point, both our lives took us to a place of immobility. What a blessing. We had a few afternoon visits, sans crisis, where we sat together, drank some wine and talked. For many hours at a time. These moments are cherished gifts. They are never planned.
Behind her incredible strength and positive outlook, I know that life hasn’t always been sweet. She is also not one to take the easy road. But she powers through and she makes it happen. A role model; an inspiration.
During this very numbing stage in my life, about to give birth to our third child, I find myself disconnected from reality. My life is simple. My days are filled with pipi on the potty, attitude correction and macaroni and cheese. I am not glamorous and feel I have very little to offer to the outside world or anyone over the age of five. Occasionally, I long for my thin, funky self. Although my role as a Maman is utterly fulfilling, I wonder if the rest of the world will forget about me. Forget that I have ideas and skills. Perhaps I am forgetting, myself.
The Queen and I lead very different lives. Both extremely busy. We haven’t made time for a chat lately. I don’t doubt for a minute that we will again, and it will be as if no time had passed. I look forward to it.
I thank God for putting her on my life path. I am learning a lot. I am grateful for a true friend who believes in me. I admire T
he Queen. Not only as a business woman but as a mother and a survivor.
Here is to The Queen, may she live long and share more with me as I go through this journey we call life!
Love you KT!
M.
Living Whole 