Friday, May 11, 2012

Most awesome Mother's Day present ever!

A favourite photo of me and Sam on my wedding day.

My heart is POUNDING I am so excited! Just now my son, Sam, gave me a Mother's Day present – an animated video he made just for me!

Sam is only 11 but he's a devoted and talented animator who treats animation like his "business." Every day after school he goes to his desk and gets busy creating animations. It's what he wants to do when he grows up and, I must say, if he continues to be this dedicated, I'm sure he will get his wish.

Usually his videos are about the kinds of things that one might imagine an 11-year-old boy would be interested in but this time he made an animation just for me. I am so excited, I am so touched that my throat is closing in with emotion and I've got happy tears running down my face. How glorious it is to have someone you love so much do something so selfless, and just for you. Sam Olliffe, I love you to infinity and beyond!!! Thank you so much for this priceless gift. oxox

Now please take a moment and see why I'm so proud:

52 comments:

  1. aw bless... so many pennies in his piggy bank !

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  2. Choking up over here too ..... so sweet.

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    1. Like buttercream sweet, really, not too saccharrine, like the perfect cake-sweet... cause it's always about cake for me...

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  4. What a beautiful picture of you two! And how talented is he? Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day Cath!! Enjoy.

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    1. Thanks, Jaybird! It's one of my favourites. We had a fantastic wedding photographer named Erin Monet and she did a super job. And Sam, well, he is talented in so many ways. Little sweetie. You have a wonderful Mother's Day too!!!!

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  5. What an awesome gift! You have every reason to be proud of him. :)

    P.S. Re: yesterday's...I was 12, pierced my own ears with ice cubes, slice of potato and a diaper pin, without permission, and hid the earrings under my hair for a month before they were discovered.

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    1. ROFL!!!!!! Omigawd, Laura! You KILL me!!! Always ingenius and brave, even at 12!!!! You should do a whole post on this. Puhleese???? Include pics!!!

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  6. That is so beautiful. Lucky mom.

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    1. I know, I'm very, very lucky. And blessed. Thanks Delores!

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  7. Wow, do you think he should just skip Seneca College and go straight to Pixar? What a lucky woman to have such a wonderful Sam.

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    1. It would sure save me a lot of money for college tuition!!!!!
      (He is a wonderful Sam,thanks Deb! Hope you have an awesome, awesome Mother's Day because, speaking of awesome, you're it.)

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  8. So so sweet . . .and he's so so cute!

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    1. He, erm, takes after his mother..... HAHAHAHAHA!!! Thanks Judy!

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    1. It kinda is ... yesterday I had the WORST day ever, the WORST, and every once in a while, when I really felt crazy, I'd sneak a peak at this video and I'd instantly feel better.

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  10. Your son looks just like you! Very creative animation!

    I like the words he used to describe love for a mother(like evolution)!!

    I was just saying to my daughter the other day: if it wasn't for her that I wouldn't be a mother and that she is what makes my mothers day possible - so I celebrate her!

    I can understand how proud you are!

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    1. Hey Betty! I know, the words were what really touched me. I mean I love that he did the animation (it's an extremely time consuming process - it probably took him two hours to do that short clip), but you're right - the comparison of love for a mother to evolution was actually pretty brilliant. He is such a smart kid.

      Thank god for our children. Sometimes they just make you nuts but what would we do without them? Betty I hope you have an absolutely fabulous Mother's Day with that wonderful daughter of yours!

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  11. That's one of the sweetest things I've ever been privileged to see a kid do for Mom. He's wicked talented. You have great kids! Happy Mother's Day, Cathy.

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    1. I know!!! And the best part was that it was completely unbidden. (Makes me want to go wake him up so I can hug him again.) Thank you so much, Austan!!!! oxoxox

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  12. What a wonderful present! And that photo on your wedding day is just too precious!

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    1. Isn't he a cutie pie? I let both boys pick whatever tuxedos they wanted out of the catalogue and Sam chose this classic black number with the popping red tie and vest. When I saw my boys dressed in their suits that day it just blew me away. So grown up, yet still so young. Heartbreaking, really.

      What IS it with men in suits? In the blink of an eye they go from ordinary to extraordinary, just because of a dark jacket, a white shirt and a tie?? Us women have to go to untold lengths to look nice. For that photo, I spent a couple hours at the hairdresser's, untold time shopping for the dress and accessories... Sam picked out a suit and put it on. And he's, like, WAY cuter than me!!!! Blargh...

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  13. What a wonderful boy. Smart, too. Have a great weekend.

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    1. He definitely has his moments, Joanne. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, too! Enjoy every moment!

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  14. Great little film!!! Thank you for sharing it with us! And to Sam, keep up the great work!

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  15. That's awesome!

    And thanks for picking up my book! Make sure you let me know what you think about both of them.

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    1. I will, Andrew, I promise! I'm in the middle of another couple of books at the moment (including the really cool one by Johanna Garth called Losing Beauty - look to my sidebar here on the right) but I've put yours right near the top of my list.

      I honestly wish I had a few weeks to do nothing but read. For a long time I got away from reading (I find it hard to read when I'm writing) but I've gotten back into it at a fevered pitch and have really enjoyed it. Now, if I can only force my arse back to the chair and do more writing... sigh....

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  16. Alright, so when is this little genius going to be ready to take on a book trailer? I could use some talent like his.

    Too early?

    Okay...I can understand. Happy Mother's Day and what a sweet gesture on Sam's part. Too cute. :-)

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    1. Yah, still too early, Angela! :) But when he's a little riper I'll send him your way!!! You know, unless Pixar doesn't snap him up...

      (Since he's only 11 and still doesn't bathe without being told, he could be riper sooner than later...)

      Happy Mother's Day to you too!!!! Don't you LOVE this holiday?

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  17. How sweet is that!!! I love it. Happy Mother's Day!

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    1. I know, it's ridonkulous it's so sweet. Happy Mother's Day to you too, Jenny!

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  18. That is very sweet. Happy Mother's Day, Cathy. Terrific wedding pic too. :)
    ~jon

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    1. Awww, thanks Jon. I was sooooooooo happy that day... makes me happy looking back at the photos. I hope Mother's Day is an awesome event in your household, too! And Father's Day is coming up fast! Woo HOOOOOO! Hope you get spoiled, as you deserve.

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  19. Oh. Wow. To be able to openly express his love like that is a gift you gave to him. Which, in turn, allowed him to give you this amazing, heart warming gift.
    You have both done good.

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    1. You think so EC? I think so, too. Some days it feels like you can't do anything right as a parent, you know? And then, every once in a while, you go YEAH. This is GOOD. I have the best children, I really do. They're respectful and they're polite and they're full of empathy for other people, which makes me extremely proud.

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  20. Love the video! And Cathy you're so beautiful in that photo.

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    1. FAVOURITE COMMENT RIGHT HERE, PEOPLE! (Alarms are going off, bells are ringing and confetti is falling from the ceiling.) Handsome smart guy calls me beautiful, I can die a happy woman!!!!!!
      THANKS MARK!

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  21. AWE! I had my mother's day tea at Youngest's school. He DID decide to get up and read in front of the class. He had me crying at "My mom's name is..." And bawling at "My mom always supports me, and never gives up on me."

    And if I happen to wake up on Sunday to a bunch of chocolate dipped strawberries, this may be the best mother's day ever.

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    1. SQUEALS! He DID? I'm so happy for you! I was really, really hoping he would change his mind and do the reading! Fantastic! Now I'm rooting for those chocolate dipped strawberries... Enjoy every minute, Juli! I think you're right - this is going to be the BEST Mother's Day EVER!

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    2. Actually, they got me a rose bush (yellow, my favorite) some candles for the bathroom, and two birthstone charms (their birthdays) for my charm bracelet. Its the old school style, none of that Pandora stuff. :)

      I'm thinking I many make my own strawberries tomorrow...

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  22. Aww that is so sweet! Just wonderful!

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    1. Thank you Helen!!! (picture me throwing imaginary sprinkles your way!) How's your book coming?? Are you close to publishing? Can't wait! :)

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  23. That was awesome! I love the animation demonstrating evolution, too!

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  24. That was the coolest thing I've seen all day! Thanks for sharing :) Happy Mother's day!

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  25. That is so sweet. From the heart gifts are so great!
    You have received the Kreative blogger award. Stop by my blog and pick it up.

    http://ruth-yummystuff.blogspot.com/2012/05/its-award.html

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  26. How wonderful! That was so sweet.

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  27. That is so utterly sweet, indeed. I can see that Sam has the start on an interesting future!

    Blessings and Be a hugs.

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  28. That is so cool. What a fabulous Momma's Day gift. Great job, Sam.

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    1. I was so touched by your Mother's day gift. What a lovely young man you are raising.

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