In Loving Memory of Fely Villasin

It has been a busy holiday season so far...feasts, gourmet food, desserts, candy, cookies, presents...much to celebrate. The idea of family becomes so much more important now than any other time of year. For those of us who are far away from them, it's really that much harder because as we get older, we recognize how important it is to share our lives with those we love. There's too little time for bullshit people and those individuals who would complicate things. Rather, I find that after all my teenage rebellion and (hopefully) maturation up until my 30th year, what I rejected so much in my youth is what's most important to me. Family. This holiday I miss my family so much, especially my Moms and my bro. I miss Dean's family as well, who has always spoiled us rotten every Christmas with a huge fun feast with family and friends. We really don't know how lucky we are.

I say all this with some solemness however because yesterday morning, a friend of mine lost her mother to a long battle with cancer. My heart sinks at the challenges, pain and heartbreak that are before her. She is the sole survivor of her mother's legacy and I am sure she is a proud daughter for it. Her mother, Ms. Fely Villasin, was a force within the activist community, a fierce advocate of women's rights and the rights of domestic workers in Canada. I have learned so much being around her and her supporters. I am certain that her memory will live long in all our hearts and within the communities she worked so hard to serve. But my thoughts now are not with the community and their loss, but it is with my friend and all those who love their mothers and could understand that such a loss is something that I cannot fully address with words. It makes me remember that life is short, that our parents are mortals and how important it is to honour them when we have the chance. Peace, love and prayers go out to Nadine.