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~ Igniting the power and passion in others…

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Tag Archives: daughters

Family

16 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by dianasschwenk in Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, In My Opinion, My Stories

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

caring, children, courage, daughters, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, family, Garden, gardening, grief, growing up, joy, kindness, laughter, life, Life's like that, living in the moment, love, parents, Relationships, sorrow

Family. Where life begins and love never ends.

where we share sorrows and joys and learn and grow

where we fight and hurt and laugh and heal

where we challenge each other, irritate, and rub each other the wrong way

where we encourage, embolden, inspire and build each other up

where we run away from for independence and run to for comfort when we are afraid or overwhelmed

where we make tough decisions with tough love and hold each other up

where we weather the storms and bask in the warmth of sunny days as one

where even those who are no longer with us still teach us.

where no matter what we do or where we go, we always belong to our family

I just got back from visiting family back east and here are some snippets of my trip.

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And Every day Mom checks in with her flowers; pruning, watering, caring for…

not so different from how we grow and care for each other in our families…

 

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

What does family mean to you?

 

 

 

 

 

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Brummelbär

18 Sunday Jun 2017

Posted by dianasschwenk in My Stories

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Dad, daughters, Diana Schwenk, family, fathers-day, kindness, Life's like that, love, memories, parents, Relationships, Stuff my parents used to say and do

“Dad had such a deep voice,” I said to my mom on the phone a few weeks back.

“Yes, that’s why I called him my Brummelbär (Brummel bear), his voice rumbled from deep within,” she replied with tenderness in her voice.

I guess I’ve been thinking a lot about dad lately, with Father’s Day and his birthday looming closer. I used to dread June because it brought Father’s Day, my brother’s birthday and my dad’s birthday, and when I didn’t have a lot of money, it seemed taxing to buy three cards and gifts in one month.

Man, what I wouldn’t give to have that worry back, to have dad back.

Yet, I can’t really complain. I was blessed for 52 years with the best possible man for me, as my father. He was a good man, a kind man, a peaceful man. And he loved us.

As best as I can tell Brummel means rumble. And mom’s right. His voice rumbled from deep within like a bear. And it remains in my heart, in my DNA it would seem, guiding me, and still brings me comfort when I most need it.

So glad I captured his voice in this video!

Somebody Cares

14 Wednesday Jun 2017

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles

≈ 25 Comments

Tags

alone, caring, children, courage, daughters, family, Fear, growing up, kids, kindness, love, memories, only human, passion, shame, strong, vulnerability, weak

The other day, my beautiful daughter, Michaela, posted the letter below on her Facebook page.

If you are in your tweens/teens and feel alone, please know that you are not the first to feel like you don’t quite measure up. Things will probably get better and the things you’re learning now are making you stronger.

If you are the parent of a tween/teen remind them every day how much you love them and not just because they’re you’re kid and you have to, but because he or she is a beautiful person worthy of love.

Dear 12-year-old Michaela,

The first thing I want you to know is no matter how alone you feel right now, no matter how much you think nobody cares, your mom is your best friend and she gets you.

Being chubby is not the end of the world. I’m sorry that your peers seem to think it is. Fat does not equal ugly. Being mean and cruel is ugly. You are beautiful.

I know something really bad just happened to you. I know you’re scared. I know you are ashamed. Talk about it. Tell people. Talk to a counsellor. It’s not your fault. I promise you it’s not your fault.

I know you think you’ll never be one of the pretty girls. You are a pretty girl. Nobody needs to tell you. You have a beautiful heart, and soul and your outsides are beautiful too. Stop comparing yourself to them. You’re nothing like them.

Not everyone is going to like you, and that is so far beyond ok. It’s nothing you did. I know how hard you’re trying but sometimes people just don’t click. Michaela, let it go.
The sooner you learn to love yourself and that you are worthy of love, the happier you will be. It’s hard, it’s so so hard. But it’s coming.

Don’t feel ashamed for talking to a therapist. They are there to help you and everyone should. Shit gets hard, Michaela. You’re not weak, you’re human. Don’t be afraid to move. It’s not going to be perfect but so much good will come out of it, it doesn’t even matter.

Tell people you love them. It’s not lame. If you feel it, say it. It will change people and people will love you for it. Don’t ever be afraid to love.

Be proud of who you are, Michaela. You’re good enough. In fact, you’re so far beyond just enough. You are kind, and generous and sweet. You have so much love to give. Give it. It will come back in waves.

Never stop playing sports. I know there will be a time where it feels like you don’t even have time to breathe, but when you get that time back, get back to it.

On the same note, never stop doing what you love. Don’t let anyone’s darkness steal your passion. Your passion and joy is amazing. It isn’t lame. Screw anyone who says it is.

12-year-old me, I love you. I’m so sorry it’s so hard right now. I’m sorry you feel alone but people love you. You have no idea how good it’s going to get so please don’t be afraid. You are so beautiful. You are worthy. You are amazing. I love you, girl. It’s going to be ok.

Thank you Michaela for allowing me to share your beautiful letter on my blog. I hope it will help someone else to not feel so alone and hopeless.

Love you kiddo,

MOM ❤

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

My First Father’s Day Without You

19 Sunday Jun 2016

Posted by dianasschwenk in Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, My Stories

≈ 35 Comments

Tags

daughters, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, dreams, family, fathers-day, growing up, Heinz Schwenk, joy, laughter, life, living in the moment, loss, love, memories, parents, Relationships, Stuff my parents used to say and do

009

I’m thirsty Dad.

Nice to meet you Thursday. I’m Friday, come over Saturday and we’ll have a Sunday.

Heinz Schwenk

Today is my first Father’s Day without you. The beginning of many firsts without you. Yes, I’m a bit sad about that Dad, but I don’t want to talk about that today. Because I am the luckiest woman in the world.

I am incredibly grateful for having had you in my life. You always made me feel so important and cherished. From day one I knew you were in my corner; even when I was wrong.

You’ve only been gone seven months. Gone yet not really gone. I still see you everywhere. I catch a glimpse of you in the mirror. You grace me with your presence in my dreams. And Dad, the other day an older gentleman who had your walk and your playful facial expression stopped in his tracks and looked at me. It made me smile. I know how blessed I was to have you as my father.

You’re in a better place now, free from pain.

I know you’re ok Dad.

And I want you to know I’m ok too, thanks to you.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Heart-to-Heart

03 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by dianasschwenk in Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, My Stories

≈ 61 Comments

Tags

200 words, courage, Dad, daughters, death, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, family, Fear, grief, growing up, life, Life's like that, living, loss, love, memories, parents, Relationships, Stuff my parents used to say and do

No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. – C. S. Lewis

Dad and me

Dad and me

Sometimes when Dad tucked me in at night when I was a little girl, we’d have a heart-to-heart.

Once, maybe more than once, I’d tell him I didn’t want to go to sleep because what if I woke up and he was gone, or worse was in an accident and died.

I just couldn’t imagine life without him. The thought made my heart feel like it would pound out of my chest.

Dad would tell me he wasn’t going anywhere; he wasn’t going to die.

“You promise, Daddy?”

“I promise.”

Dad has always been my Plan B, even when I moved across the country. I knew that if I couldn’t figure something out, or if I was in trouble, Dad would make it right.

Even though I did not resort to Plan B much, I knew it was there and knowing it, gave me courage.

It has been eight weeks and two days since Dad passed away. And although I’m not a little girl anymore, some mornings I feel like my heart will pound out of my chest.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

The Glory of Life

18 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles, My Stories

≈ 46 Comments

Tags

Dad, daughters, Diana Schwenk, family, grief, Hump Day Chronicles, joy, kindness, laughter, living in the moment, loss, memories, parents, Relationships

The Glory of Life is not that it endures forever, but that, for a time, it includes so much that is beautiful.
It is a tree to those that grasp it, and happy are all who retain it.
Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peaceful.
We do not demand that the flower shall never die, nor that the song shall never end.
Nor would we be angry with life because one day its beauty will be dust, its music silent, and all its laughter and tears forgotten.
Life, the reality, is ours; we would shape it as nobly as we can.
We will not linger, like timid sailors in port, but will live dangerously, devoting ourselves with vigour to what seems to us good, beautiful and true.
The glory of Life is Love. Unending.

– Author Unknown

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Dad in Mike and Heather’s backyard

THE FATHER/DAUGHTER relationship is an important one. Dad was the first man to love me. He taught me, through his actions, how I should expect to be treated and respected by men.

As the story goes, Dad wanted his first child to be a girl. Maybe because he had a brother growing up, maybe he just thought it would be neat. I don’t know. But he got his wish when I was born.

As a little girl, I cherished our relationship. I grew to fully trust dad, whether he was bandaging me up, letting me dance on his feet, assuring me when I was afraid, or coming to my rescue when I was in trouble.

He was a simple man. Not that he wasn’t smart because he was. He had a street-smart wisdom and intuition, a horse-sense so to speak, and at least with me, he managed to do or say the exact right thing when I most needed it.

Dad was simple in the sense that he was practical, in the sense that he took care of the family’s needs. A roof over our heads. Food in our stomachs. Mixing in a little joy and belly laughter along the way.

A man of few words, Dad didn’t often say I love you or I’m sorry. Instead his actions spoke for him. A pat on the hand. A hand on a shoulder. A ‘there, there don’t cry.’ If he felt bad about an incident, he’d gesture with a tilt of his head toward the car, and off we went to Duncan Donuts.

Dad and Mom had an interesting love. A love that might cause some to wonder. But none the less, they loved each other. Like any couple, there were difficult times and often humour carried them through.

Like when Dad asked if she still loved him and she would reply that she never did. Or when she said, “Heinz, you’re an idiot,” and he responded with “Shut up Margot, I kill you!”

Dad was never big on saying goodbye either. He didn’t linger at the airport when dropping people off or flying out. He’d say see ya soon and before you could turn around he was gone.

The last two years were hard on Dad. Chronic back pain and other ailments had pretty much reduced him to life on the couch. Mom painstakingly cared for him, her own heart breaking as she witnessed his pain – a pain that took one thing after another away from him.

I visited Dad with my family on November 6th in the hospital. He’d been hospitalized on October 28. He had pneumonia and had suffered a stroke. According to Mom and Mike, his health had deteriorated and it wasn’t looking good. On that Friday, he seemed to have turned a corner for the better. We left in the afternoon with hope and concrete plans for speech and physical therapy. He fell asleep, so we left a note that said “It was so good to see you today Dad, see you tomorrow.”

That night we received a call to come to the hospital. Dad quietly and peacefully passed away minutes before we got there.

It’s ok, I get it. You were never really big on goodbyes. Rest in peace Dad. No more pain.

My movie star parents
The early years. Yup that’s me!

The Seven Seas – the ship that brought my parents to Canada
In our backyard

Day trip with German relatives
Family photo 1980

Mike and Dad

Clowning around
Mom and Dad’s 50th Anniversary

Happy Grandparents
At the amusement park

At Dad’s retirement in ’92
Cuz Cuddle

Play fighting

Dad and Mom
Dad and Spencer

Dad and Michaela
Dad, Freddy the Teddy, me, Mike and Mom

Now you know where I get it from!
Oma, Dad, Mom, Mike and me

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

I Kinda Like Edmonton, It’s Not Scary At All

29 Wednesday Jul 2015

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles, My Stories, Out and About

≈ 63 Comments

Tags

Alberta, all in fun, Calgary, Canada, daughters, Edmonton, embarassing your kids, family, humour, Hump Day Chronicles, Karaoke, Life's like that, living in the moment, Michaela, rivalry, road trip, rudeness

5:30 sunrise - Edmonton Alberta Canada

5:30 sunrise – Edmonton Alberta Canada

I had arranged to meet my northern colleagues in Edmonton this past Monday, and I’d decided to come early so I could spend some time with my daughter, Michaela and her boyfriend Stephen.

That way I wouldn’t have to drive three hours there and three hours back in one day.

I always get all turned around when I drive to, and try to navigate, another city. I have no sense of direction whatsoever. In fact, it’s a fair bet that if I feel strongly about going one way, I should probably be going the other way!

Luckily, I only had to circle once to get to the Ramada Hotel when I arrived in Edmonton on Saturday afternoon.

The kids met me at the hotel for dinner. Much to my dismay, it was Karaoke night.

I don’t like Karaoke and I’m not very good at hiding my dislike of Karaoke.

Turns out my face gives me away and I just can’t keep my opinions to myself.

Me, Michaela and Stephen

Me, Michaela and Stephen

If loose lips sink ships, I sunk a whole fleet!

I really don’t mean to be disrespectful or rude – honest!

It’s just that Karaoke is the equivalent to fingernails scratching across the black board to me.

Michaela was a tad mortified by my behavior but aside from that, we enjoyed a nice dinner, caught up on all the latest news and met some really cool people!

The next day, I met the kids in their part of town.  We enjoyed a lovely brunch at Smitty’s and afterwards they introduced me to their two Siamese cats Lily and Keetah and their hamster Enchilada…

no that’s not it – Fajita

nope that’s not it either, Burritos – yeah that’s it!

They also brought me to the coolest coffee shop in St. Albert, a small town on the outskirts of Edmonton.

The best coffee shop in St. Albert

The coolest coffee shop in St. Albert

You know…I hear a lot of talk about rivalry between Calgary and Edmonton.

Something to do with hockey, I think; Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers. Or the Calgary Stampede vs. Klondike Days. Or Edmonton is getting a new arena and now we want one too or something along those lines.

I suspect the two cities secretly like each other though, why else would Calgary have a street called Edmonton Trail and Edmonton have a street called Calgary Trail?

I guess I’ve never really gotten caught up in that whole Calgary/Edmonton rivalry because I’m from Montreal originally, and I know the real important thing is The-Montreal-Canadiens-are-better-than-the-Toronto-Maple-Leafs.

Dinosaur on Calgary Trail in Edmonton

Dinosaur on Calgary Trail in Edmonton

I kinda like Edmonton. It’s not scary at all!

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Does your city have a rival city?

My little girl found the dress she will get married in!

24 Wednesday Sep 2014

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles, My Stories

≈ 52 Comments

Tags

Alberta, Calgary, children, daughters, David's Bridal Shop, Diana Schwenk, Edmonton, family, growing up, Hump Day Chronicles, joy, kids, life, living in the moment, love, parents, Relationships

ON SATURDAY I DROVE THREE HOURS NORTH TO EDMONTON to meet with my daughter Michaela, her sister Alana, her future mother-in-law Judy and her Maid of Honour Jessica at David’s Bridal Shop.

You didn't think I would show you the entire dress did you?

You didn’t think I would show you the entire dress did you?

She had a 3:30 appointment with a wedding dress expert/consultant/employee. Having never married myself, I had no idea you could make an appointment like this.

But it’s brilliant and I highly recommend it!

When we first got there, they handed Michaela an iPad that featured all their dresses and told her to scroll through the pictures and pick the ones that she liked.

When she had chosen her favourites, the expert/consultant/employee handed her a form to fill out and asked her some questions about budget, etc., to further narrow the search.

Then she walked us to the fitting rooms, lined up some chairs for us to sit on and pulled several dresses based on those Michaela had chosen and the information she had gleaned.

She was very good at her job. She helped Michaela get into and out of the dresses, gave advice on veils, corsets and jewelry and made it all a very good experience for all of us.

I’m not a big fan of shopping and Michaela and I never expected that we would find the perfect dress that day, but we did, largely due to a very helpful and competent employee.

Because I don’t trust my failing night vision for highway driving, I decided to take a hotel room and return to Calgary the next morning. To my delight, Michaela decided to spend the night with me.

We stayed at the Coast Plaza Hotel in downtown Edmonton, so we went out on foot to do a bit of exploring and find a place to have supper. We settled on a pub a couple of blocks away where we enjoyed a great meal, wonderful conversation and a drink to celebrate finding the perfect wedding dress.

I am grateful that Michaela found the dress of her dreams and it was a pleasure to meet her future MIL and Maid of honour. But mostly I cherish every opportunity I get to spend with my beautiful daughter.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

One day she was a little baby, and suddenly she’s a grown woman. Where did the time go? I’m new at this whole Mother of the Bride thing, do you have any advice or helpful tips for me leading up to the wedding date?

The Big News And A Trip To Sandy Beach

23 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles, My Stories, Out and About

≈ 58 Comments

Tags

Alberta, Calgary, changing seasons, construction, daughters, Diana Schwenk, family, growing up, Hump Day Chronicles, joy, kids, love, Relationships, Sandy Beach, summer, Tourist in my own city, Urban Living, wedding

IMG_20140720_184710_edit

Lately, when my daughter visits she writes something on my whiteboard and I write something back..

THEY SHOWED UP LATE ON FRIDAY NIGHT.  Michaela had to work that day so she and Josh, Michaela’s boyfriend, didn’t hit the road until dinner time.

Wainwright is a good 5-hour drive to Calgary. They were understandably tired when they finally got here.

THE BIG NEWS

They had big news for me. They were going to tell me together on this visit. But Michaela couldn’t keep it in that long. She called me a few days earlier to tell me.

Even when she was a little girl, Michaela could not wait to share things. If she bought a present or made a gift for me, she could not wait for Christmas, or Mother’s Day, or my birthday to give it to me. It drove her nuts and she would beg me to let her give it to me early.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, the big news…

THEY’RE GETTING MARRIED!!!

Yup, that’s right, my little girl is getting married. They’ve already picked a date; May 9th.

And while they were here they bought their shoes for the big day.

For Him
For Her

 I’m not even kidding!

The colour scheme for the wedding is BLACK, RED and Silver.

And yes she will be wearing a traditional white dress.

And oh they WILL BE getting red laces for Josh’s shoes.

When I asked about Michaela’s white laces, she said it’s ok because she’s wearing a white dress and would I please wear a red dress…

No problem – heck, can I wear converse too? It’s actually a cute idea!

Here we were talking about their wedding and I was struck with the realization that my little girl wasn’t a little girl anymore.

~

A TRIP TO SANDY BEACH

It was so hot in my little apartment and I suggested we drive to Sandy Beach, a spot Michaela and I used to visit when she was a little girl. I figured we could find a cool, shady spot to relax and talk or read. 

So with blanket and books in hand we headed out.

Stormy sky – Sandy Beach
Sitting on the shore – Sandy Beach
Rocks on a bench. I know, I found it odd too…

The whole park is still under construction because of last year’s flood.
Rafter lazily floating by…
Ominous sky

Well the plan was a good one, but the weather wasn’t cooperating.

We were there for only 30 minutes when the winds picked up and the sky began to ever so lightly drizzle rain on us.

We packed up our gear and headed to My Favourite Ice Cream Shop.

Ahh, such great memories of sitting outside eating ice cream with my little girl...

Ahh, such great memories of sitting outside eating ice cream with my little girl…

As soon as we got our ice cream it began to rain hard – so much for sitting on the bench!

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Is it hard for you to wait for a specific day to share news or give a gift?

What do you think of wearing converse shoes with a wedding dress?

What’s your favourite ice cream flavor? 

Sweet Sizzling Summer in The City

16 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles, My Stories, Out and About

≈ 47 Comments

Tags

alone, Calgary, daughters, Diana Schwenk, family, hard work, Hump Day Chronicles, joy, kids, living in the moment, shadows, summer, sunshine, Tourist in my own city

IMG_20140701_130330

I AM CRAZY-IN-LOVE WITH SUMMER!

It’s been so hot! My thick ‘Russian-hat-like-hair’ makes me sweat like crazy.

But I’m not complaining. No Sir! I am crazy in love with summer!

And today they’re calling for 31c, that’s almost 90f for Pete’s sake, it’s gonna be a scorcher and unlike places further south, most of us don’t have AC.

Sleeping at night is a fan-on-stay-on-top-of-the-covers and don’t-let-any-part-of-your-body-touch-any-other-part-of-your-body affair.

But I’m not complaining. No Sir! I am crazy in love with summer!

And because I love summer so much. I try to get out there as often as I can.

I’ve also been quite busy with work. I have several projects I’m working on so my days have been pretty full even though I’m getting up extra early to fit it all in. I haven’t had a lot of time for socializing, or writing and reading posts. I miss my friends and keeping up with what you’re all up to!

For an extrovert like me, it’s been an interesting experience.

It's been just me and my shadow...

It’s been just me and my shadow…

But I have something else to look forward to. My daughter is coming to visit this weekend!

Check out my latest summer photos below.

Music Saturday in Tompkins Park has started again!
The site of the old Mustard Seed. I come here sometimes when I need to feel grounded.
Flowers at Olympic Plaza
Flowers are everywhere!

Foliage meets concrete
A reminder that there are some folks who don’t get a break from the elements in any season…
I’m always learning new things from signs I read on store windows…
View from pedestrian bridge at the Stampede Grounds over Macleod Trail facing north

This is my favourite grass, it’s so soft!
Alberta is Wild rose country

Between working and trying to get out in the sunshine as much as possible, my days are pretty full.

But I’m not complaining. No sir! I’m crazy in love with summer!

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

How’s your summer going?

 

 

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