Over the past few weeks my dear sweet husband has turned to me several times with a big smile on his face and simply stated, "You are exactly like Julie". The first time I asked him what he meant, he just said "I just can't see too much of your Mom, but I can see your Aunt Julie in you." Ryan didn't know my Mom when she was younger. I have tried to find a picture of Julie but I haven't been very successful, Sorry!
Anyway, I have taken this to mean the way I act toward others, mostly my kids when I am frustrated with them and the way I act when I am running late. Julie can be a little high string when she is overwhelmed and she does have a good temper on her, so I guess I AM like her. I will also take it to mean that I am a very strong women because that is also Julie. And if I am like her in other ways too then I think I am doing pretty well.
My Aunt Julie is loving, giving, a VERY hard worker and one of the strongest women I know. She is a breast cancer survivor and an great example to her 4 wonderful children as well as to all those around her.
Julie's place was my safe haven when I was at Rick's and she became my friend not just my Aunt during those years I was there. I know my Mom hates to hear this but I feel more like her sister rather than her niece and if I am like her I will take it as one of the best compliments I have ever received.
So Ryan, my love, thanks for the compliment. I am just like my Aunt Julie!
In honor of my Aunt Julie and Breast Cancer Awareness month I am going to have a drawing. Everyone who leaves a comment telling me a little something about a strong women that has been an example to them in their lives, I will put your names in a hat and draw out a winner for a grand prize.
I don't know what it will be yet, just something that will have it's proceeds going to Breast Cancer Research, and let's say you have until October 9th. Okay!
Looking forward to all the comments!
15 comments:
AH, OK... well, umm, like julie as being she's the matriarch "image" you talk to more in the last few years rather than yer own mother or see Julie is a strong woman and influence in your life. Because Apryl is at such a distance in your life, both in length and in opinion that Julie is on the same wave length as you. So you emulate those qualities as well as negatives.
Okay - when leaving a comment PLEASE use your real name so I know who you are.
Also - "rayce" I didn't mean to offend you or my Mom. I was just building off of the comment Ryan made to me. So be happy and stop looking at things with such critical eyes!
Barb, I love your give away. It's so inspiring.
The woman I am going to highlight is a friend of mine. She is a survivor of breast cancer for almost five years and now she has cancer again. I know of no other woman who is so strong and positive. She's lost a son to cancer, three years ago now I believe. And she always has time to chat. In May of 2007 we were able to push her in a wheelchair and took her with us to RACE for the CURE. I know that year will always be my favorite race. I love her dearly. Here's to all the survivors! WE LOVE YOU ALL!
Thanks again Barb.
To tell you the truth, it's you Barb... Regardless of which Cameron sister you learn from and regardless of what point in your life you learned it; You became a Cameron not a Hamilton... in chaos you found structure, you saw disorder and found priority, stood in Hell but never stopped reaching for your kind Heaven. I have always recognized my role in our family, and knowing you and I share our memories, I recognize how important your role was in "our" Life. Namaste! Not for your willingness to "be caring" but actually for caring. Even if the fruit of your labor with us wasn't as one could have hoped, it is the pain that teaches us to rejoice in our comfort, not a punishment but a means to a reward... and it is a testament of ones strength to see them giving thanks for what they so diligently work for... Though I may not have learned from you that drive and motivation, I believe that if no one else could you taught me how to love, to really care even if it is hard to show all the time. If even my fight is a different battle... we fight together.
And even though you are Not a Breast cancer survivor... If it's possible to be mature about it... If a man learns about sexuality first, from their family? Barb has the biggest "Whabos" I've ever seen. ;) I love ya barb... Keep up the good fight.
Great post Barb!
The person I consider a 'strong woman' would be my mom. Now that may sound cliche, but I think she is the most amazing person. She has been a full time teacher most of my life(even while raising 6 crazy kids). She gave so much to her students, she'd leave at sometimes 5am and not return home until 6 and stay up late sometimes all night planning for the next day. On top of that she dealt w/one family crisis after another-my sibling and I are TROUBLE not to mention a 'checked out' spouse. She DOES NOT gossip or talk negative about people, even about people who have offended her or her family. One of her strongest qualities is her ability to forgive. I have yet to meet someone with her integrity, compassion and LOVE.
Sorry for the huge comment, but thank you for letting me share. I wanted to get your email too-I went private on my blog. I'd love to include you. My email is tophamfam@gmail.com- thanks Barb!
i think i have truly blessed to be surrounded by amazing women, my mom, my sisters, my sisters-in-law (yep, i love ALL 6 of them, and hopefully one more), my mother-in-law, and many friends. i just can't complain. but, like mari, my mom stands out.
i have learned from my mom so many things. i look at all the many obstacles she has overcome in her life, and that gives me hope. her life has been far from perfect, but she did the BEST with her 4 children that she knew how.
she doesn't hold a grudge. she forgives. she is kind and extremely compassionate. she is christlike. i want to be all those things too. thanks mom!! and all those other inspiring women i have in my life!!!
Barb, you are you and you have the great qualities for a mom, friend and just a good person.
You are strong, belive in yourself, support your family and of course your husband. You are a good person and we need more people in the world like you.
I don't compare people to others, I take them on face value, their actions, attitude and comparsion for others.
I may be very open and blunt however that is me.
Don't change.
Love yo
Hey Barb!
I tried to leave a comment last night but I got booted out:)! One of the strongest women I know is my Grandma Shore! She has worked hard her entire life & now she is able to relax & enjoy. She does everthing with a happy attitude! She is always ready & willing to help anyone, anywhere. I want to be just like her when I grow up :).
Thanks for the chance to win!
Hey Barb,
I did try leaving a comment the other day but was unable to complete it and didn't have time to do it again.
My grandma is the strongest woman I know. She took care of my grandpa for a year and a half during his battle of cancer. She was there through the good, the bad and the ugly. It then took a good ten years before she got back in the dating game. She soon married again and after only a few years of being married, had to take care of her husband through his battle with Alzheimers. She has always been a rock and someone in whom I have always looked up to.
Thanks for giving me this opportunity to reflect on her.
Sharee Zirker
Glad that I've got a 1 in 10 chance of winning this with only 9 other comments (BTW I didn't know this blog existed, I'll be back to visit again).
A strong women? I know so many. My mother is first to mind, and I could go on and on about her. But since this post is about breast cancer I'll mention another example of a very strong woman who has actually gone toe-to-toe with the illness: my mother in law. Aside from her victorious battle with breast-cancer, some other things that have probably made her strong are a rich pioneer ancestry, including Brigham Young. She's also well-educated and married to a great man. Fruits of her strength? 5 wonderful daughters all married to returned missionaries in the temple with a dozen grand-children and more to come. She's a great example of integrity, dignity, modesty, patience, and kindness.
Aww...I didn't know Michael would comment!! That's so sweet. I would have to say my mom as well, but since it's great to get more stories, I'll let Michael's tribute also be mine, and I'll tribute my cousin. My cousin Judy is also a breast cancer survivor. She's my cousin, but since the age difference between her mom and my mom is 17 years, she's really more like my aunt. She lived with us when I was born, and she is really my other mother. She is a single woman, who is so generous and kind. She is hysterically funny, and always makes everyone around her laugh. She's had to deal with other health issues as well, and as a result will never be able to have any children...even if she were married, but she takes everyone under her wing, and she has many "children" as a result! I love her, and I love my mom! They are both such wonderful examples to me, and to all around them.
i would have to agree completely with annie. mom is such an example to me of service and love. plus, she likes to eat out a lot!
There is no way that I can chose just one. My life has been influenced for the good by way too many great women to single someone out. Women who have had to endure trial after trial, but also those who have yet to deal with tragedy in their lives. I think we're ALL strong women regardless of what life has thrown at us. I'm very blessed with amazing women around me.
I forgot to mention a few things about my grandma. She is now in her late 80's and is going blind. She is unable to drive anymore and is dealing with this blindness being permenant. The reason I add this is because she has never complained and always sees the bright side of things. To me that is amazing and strong.
Sharee
I forgot to mention a few things about my grandma. She is now in her late 80's and is going blind. She is unable to drive anymore and is dealing with this blindness being permenant. The reason I add this is because she has never complained and always sees the bright side of things. To me that is amazing and strong.
Sharee
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