Short but Sweet

Well we arrived safely back on home soil today or should I say at 3am this morning. We were still on Ont. time so it seemed like 6am. I managed to get about an hour sleep on the plane while hubby got none at all. Needless to say, it didn't take too long to fall asleep once we hit our familiar old sack.
We had a GREAT trip. The seminar itself was very interesting and informative. The people were very friendly and casual and made me feel right at home. I learned a lot about the new FA drug Catena and came out feeling that it is something that I would like to try and would encourage others with FA to try it also. I also felt good when a very well informed FA advocate commented on how well I was doing and how slow I seemed to be progressing seeing how I was diagnosed 23 years ago. Although I have felt myself progressing in the last year or so, it was encouraging to hear this. Looking around at others with this horrible disease, I realized how truly blessed I really am.
The visit with family was also amazing. My stepdaughter and her son came from Sarnia, Ont. by train to visit. We hadn't seen her in over a year so it was great to see her again.

We had never met her 12 yr. old son before so it was wonderful to finally get the chance. My husband did not know whether to hug him or shake his hand when meeting him but the ice was broken when his grandson threw his arms around him and said 'hi grandpa'. My husband eyes filled with tears - he was so happy and proud. They really hit it off and bonded. The funny thing is that they even look alike - wavy hair, glasses and rosy, chipmunk cheeks!

Don't you think so?


Wed. evening my mother and brother met us at our hotel before heading out for dinner at the Elephant and Castle on Yonge St. in Toronto. I had not seen my mother for 8 months (since our daughters wedding) and had not seen my brother in 3 years. Both looked great and it was so nice to visit. I am so proud of my brother as he is looking and doing so well after so many years of being ill. I am also happy for my mother as she no longer feels that she needs to worry about him - now or even after she's gone.

After a lot of laughs and a few Toronto street experiences not soon to be forgotten we headed back to our hotel for a good nights sleep.




On Thursday morning my stepdaughters daughter and her boyfriend drove down from Sarnia, Ont. (well Ridgetown to be exact). We hadn't seen her since she was 2 years old and now she is 18. Another tearful reunion.


What an awesome couple of kids - grandchildren we knew about but had never met or grown up with. We just hope now that we can all stay in touch as they were a missing piece in our family picture.





Our granddaughter and her boyfriend had to get back to Sarnia, my stepdaughter and grandson had a train to catch and my brother had to leave for work so it left time for my mom and I to chat and visit. A short time later my beautiful niece came home from work. (my sisters daughter. My sister now lives in England and her daughter shares an apt. with my brother). It had been 3 years since seeing her so again it was wonderful.


All in all, it was a great trip all around. The weather was mild (even warmer than Vancouver) and although we never got any shopping or sightseeing in we accomplished what we set out to do. A successful meeting and a nice visit with family - can't ask for much more than that!

Have a great weekend folks!