BLUE JAYS GAME FOR MOTHER'S DAY

 Fun to see our Blue Jays play.

Rogers Centre.

With my daughter, son-in-law and four of my grandchildren.

The excitement of the crowd. The downtown atmosphere.

Taking the Go Train from Aurora.

All is all a good day with family.

#bluejaysgamewithfamily#rogerscentre#downtowntoronto#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

RAPTORS GAVE IT A RIDE FOR US AND DRAKE WAS THERE

 Game 7 did not go the way all of Toronto or even Canada wanted.

But the Raptors made the city and country proud.

Drake who is one of their biggest fans and always has been was there supporting the home town team.

So like we say about all our teams, next year!

I still say that about the Toronto Maple Leafs.

We do love our home teams and all the Canadian teams that make us proud.

#raptorswentoutingame7#drakeraptorsbiggestsupporter#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

MAY- MY FAVOURITE MONTH

 Warmer weather.

Spring bulbs.

Trees starting to burst in greenery.

Just the beginning of garden beauty.

#springbulbs#maymyfavouritemonth#lovethegreenery#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

HOW TO DEAL WITH UNSOLICITED ADVICE

 How do you deal with unsolicited advice?

Have you been somewhere and just chatting about something, and someone has to jump in suggesting a better way or a different opinion on the matter? Even insinuating that you are wrong to have done whatever it was incorrectly. 

I was at my granddaughter's volleyball tournament and was telling an acquaintance about how much fun it was. Her granddaughter also plays volleyball. Even before the words were out of my mouth she suggested you could watch on the Volleyball You tube channel. No acknowledge that being at the games must have been fun.

I honestly try to listen to what others have to say before I feel I should jump in with advice or even just a comment.

Most of us are competent individuals who have lived a little and well probably know a lot. 

I find many suggestions made are often old news. 

Or if I have done things a certain way, the person knows someone who has done it better or bigger or whatever.

It brings me to an important point. Sometimes I do not like people. I do not want to be challenged, criticized or made to feel I do not do things the right way whatever that may be.

So if I limit my social interactions then it does not need to occur. Just saying.

#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#barbaramaydimambro#unsolicitedadvice#notaskingforanopinion#listeningtoothers

CARING FOR MY LOVED ONE WAS A GREAT PURPOSE OF LIFE-BUT QUESTIONED BY OTHERS HAS BEEN CONFUSING

 "Well you are just a caregiver!" was a comment made to me when I was asked in my early days of retirement.

I was being with him, caring for him and just loving him. My husband Adolph was ill and needed love and support.

It was such purpose in my life. More purpose than any job, current activity or hobbies.

Yet when I still say that about the time I spent in the last years of his life, I get questioned or reminded well not everyone feels that way.

Even recently during Caregiver Awareness day or month or whatever it was, the stress of being a caregiver was emphasized. There was no acknowledgement that for many people it is so loving and purposeful.

Words like burden.

Not having a life.

Missing out.

Costing financially.

Rarely is it said that the person caring does it out of love not duty.

Yes there may be some who do it out of duty.

There may be many people who resent the care needed. There may be many people who not only are relieved when the person dies and perhaps glad.

I have a friend who knew a wife who had to help with her husband's cancer. She resented not being able to travel. So when her husband died she was glad she could travel again. She felt she had missed out on travel. I looked at my friend and did not comment. Being with Adolph was not missing out on travel, he was my life at the time. I could not care less about travel at that time.

I still feel like a boat without a rudder. Yes I have family and activities and go to events and read and write and do whatever the hell I want.. But does it give the purpose I felt when I could have my husband with me and being, caring, loving him. The relationship gone. 

So again recently when I had met up with an old workmate and was trying to explain the purpose of being there for a loved one. The answer was not everyone feels that way. And the look in her eyes of disdain like it did not mean much.

So do you care and love someone who needs you? Does it give you purpose?

#purposeofcaringforalovedone#beingthereforalovedone#missingmypurposeinlife#notjustacaregiver#caregiverisnotadirtyword#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

DAY AT THE ONTARIO VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AND A MARLIES GAME

Allie's team being interviewed. Fun to watch a granddaughter play with the other girls.

 Volleyball- the Ontario Volleyball Association provincial championships. So many teams from so many levels and so much noise. The cheering. The whistle blowing. 

Late lunch at Brazen Head in Liberty Village

Lots of positive words on the pavement.

A sweet parkette on the way from parking to the restaurant.

First Marlies game.

A good crowd. Playing the Laval Rockets. There were fans speaking French beside us. An interesting day and night.

#volleyball#provincialchampionships#marliesgame#torontoontariocanada#brazenheadirishpub#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

ARTEMIS 2 SPLASHDOWN THOUGHTS

 Does anyone else miss following the Artemis 2 mission?

I feel like a huge positive event is over.

So many wonderful moments. Like naming a crater on the moon CARROLL.

The crew were so positive and human.

Our Canadian Jeremy Hansen was well so Canadian.

I even found myself clapping on Friday when it was announced they had a visual of the ORION coming to earth.

The relief knowing they made it back to earth.

The people on the naval ship greeting them and bringing them from the capsule to the ship were thrilled.

Mission control was jubilant and excited to know they had a successful mission.

I am sure the families were glad to have their loved ones back.

In this horrible geopolitical climate, a positive event and story that put smiles on our faces and joy in our hearts.

What are your thoughts on this wonderful feat?

#artemis2#jeremyhansen#tothemoonandback#awonderfulnewsstory#houston#missioncontrol#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro