Perception Meets Reality

It seems that it was just yesterday that I sat down to welcome 2012, and now
I find myself preparing for February. I am amazed at just how fast time flies.

This year has already provided a valuable lesson. Have you ever had a trip
planned and been so excited about it that you imagined just how awesome it
was going to be? Such is the case with me. I had, had a trip planned for
nearly a year. It was for my sweet, young cousin's destination wedding.

I was going to travel solo and the thought it was a brilliant idea. No kids
to watch after, a loving husband staying home to love them up. What
could be more perfect? Well, if you are anything like me, you are
likely capable of romancing an idea to the max. I had built this
trip up to be epic and it really was in every way until day 6, that is.

Day 6 came with a big dose of reality. I missed my family terribly. The
original idea of traveling without them was more than fine, but the reality
made it less than fine. I had not anticipated getting nearly as home sick
as I became. It may have had something to do with all of the great people
I met and wanting to share them with my best friend and partner in life...
or it may have had to do that all of those great people were also there
with their better halves.

So, the lesson for me was to be careful how perception does not always
meet reality. Again, the trip was epic, the wedding was epic and I could
not have been happier that my sweet cousin Megan had the wedding of her dreams
and I was so honoured to be apart of her dream day.

There were so many amazing people I met, Poc, Kourtnee, Kristin, Ashley, etc...
these are now friends that I would not have otherwise met that eased the pain
of missing my family. These amazing women were the gift my cousin gave to
me- by simply inviting me with her to the Mayan Riviera. I love it
when my sisterhood grows with strong, fierce and lovely women.

I was able to gift some of my jewelry while away. It inspires me
to create new work. Even though I am on a hiatus from Buddha & The Raven,
I am still allowing myself to be inspired and to create personal pieces
for personal friends. One charity I am honoured to be donating to is for the iconquer
team which is apart for the Ride to End Cancer Foundation. I love the
opportunity to chip in and support my friends and pay homage to those
I have loved that are fighting cancer and for those who didn't win
the battle.

If you ever have a cause that needs a charitable donation, don't
ever pause to contact me. You can count on me to donate in some
capacity.

My personal charity of choice is in memory of our beautiful Kerry Kirstiuk.

www.campkerry.com


Sending you all love & light,

t.