I feel blessed……
I feel lucky……
In just a few short months my oldest son is getting married to a beautiful, intelligent woman. Here are scenes from her bridal shower. We all have waited a long time, now it’s becoming a reality…pretty soon we will have Mr. & Mrs. Bride and Groom. Love is wonderful when you find the right one. Here’s to Cameron and Jessica Lynn, Congratulations and I can hardly wait for the nuptials.
beaming Jessica Lynn
Where do I begin to imagine my life – without ever working at Disneyland in Anaheim, California? I have been fortunate to work for 39 years out of Disneyland’s 61 year history. I am the lucky one – Happy Birthday to Disneyland – and her’s to another 61 years of fun. Thank you for a great ride!
This week is all about taking a moment to check out what’s going on above you.
One of my most proudest moments is when my son, Cameron graduated from UCLA in 2006. I invited my parents to attend the graduation at Pauley Pavilion on the campus. It meant the world to me – to have my Mom watch Cameron graduate as he crossed the stage to accept his diploma from the Mayor of Los Angeles. Most especially hearing his name being called out loud.
It is now ten years later and my son is engaged to marry the woman of his dreams in October. There is so much happiness involved with this wedding of my Mom’s first grandchild. I always say that the first grandchild – could almost walk on water, since my Mom was so happy to become a grandmother back in 1983.
This past March, my mother was laid to rest – and she passed away knowing that Cameron was getting married. She was happy knowing that the preparations had begun. She knew the bride to be for the last three years and was close to her.
Here we are – (some of our immediate family) when we said our final goodbyes to Mom.
Life evolves and we move on – there are new babies, new weddings to plan for and vacations to book. We think often of my Mom – and know that she is watching all of us from Heaven.
Here’s to the Bride and Groom and for happier days of loving each other. Thank you Mom for laying the foundation.
When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
and then I started to become a woman.
And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up, God would
show you the best in many friends.
One friend is needed when you’re going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you’re going through things with your
mom.
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.
One friend will say let’s pray together, another let’s cry together,
another let’s fight together, another let’s walk away together.
One friend will meet your spiritual need, another your shoe fetish,
another your love for movies, another will be with you in your season
of confusion, another will be your clarifier, another the wind beneath
your wings.
But whatever their assignment in your life, on whatever the occasion,
on whatever the day, or wherever you need them to meet you with their
gym shoes on and hair pulled back, or to hold you back from making a
complete fool of yourself … those are your best friends.
It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many it’s wrapped up in
several… one from 7th grade, one from high school, several from the
college years, a couple from old jobs, several from church, on some
days your mother, on some days your neighbor, on others your sisters,
on some days your daughters.
I would like to say thank you to my favorite teacher, Mr. Tom Dorosky from Loara High School in Anaheim, California. Mr. Dorosky passed away (1999) but was an exceptional teacher. He had a way of making his classroom (Political Science) fun and worthwhile. Mr. Dorosky also taught Police Science and History and was a great role model for all of us young Saxons growing up in Anaheim.
Mr. Dorosky was always looking for ways of making all of his students feel valued and appreciated. He would team up with Mr. Barron and invite Guest Speakers to come and share their stories about law enforcement. Many of the times we would have Detective Dick Christensen come to our classroom.
The year was 1988, a photo of my first Volvo Station Wagon, what a great car! We bought it used and here my son (at age 5) is posing in the driveway.
Easter Sunday 1990 – We just arrived home after church, making breakfast with my youngest son.
Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn’t worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn’t want to put him down.
I never felt my heart-break into a million pieces
when I couldn’t stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom,
I didn’t know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn’t know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby..
I didn’t know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn’t know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.
How lucky I was to have two sons!
Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.
(author unknown)
My son, Cameron is celebrating a birthday tomorrow on April 3rd. He is 33 years young and is seen above (on the left side) with his brother Blake. Cameron is motivated and is an inspiration to all he meets. He is in the prime of his life with a wedding coming up in the fall and his business is doing well. I am one proud Mom – and thankful for the many blessings. Cameron is in control of his own life and is enjoying each day.
My Mother, Catherine Mary passed away last month from heart failure. She was an amazing mother! She was regal, classy, beautiful and most of all….an incredible mother for all of my 58 years on this planet. She loved her children and grandchildren and supported us through thick and thin.
I have not yet figured out – how I will live without my Mom. I am still talking to her daily and hoping she hears me. She is still alive inside of each of her children – Gary, Drew and myself. She is our foundation and key to our success – we are very lucky to be her children.
My Mother leaves behind a legacy and a history of always doing the right thing. Her parents were Volga Germans from Russia and immigrated to this country when they were very young. My Mother was a first generation American and was born and raised in Chicago. She spoke German to her sisters and family and moved to Los Angeles when she was 19 years old and met my Dad at a dance. I could go on and on – but I won’t.
My Mom loved Christmas and baking, she loved to watch the Lakers on T.V. – she loved to paint and spent most of her free time as an artist. She was very creative until just before her death.
Rest in peace, Mom – thank you for all of your life lessons. We love you much ….
