May 20 – Lost and looking for …

BC Bloggers – http://bcfamily.ca/bc-bloggers

Be BOLD Campaign – https://www.facebook.com/pages/BE-BOLD-Campaign/536542519730864?fref=ts

I added my Princess Snowflake Tumblr blog to the first one and read more about the Be Bold Campaign tonight.  It was co-founded by a new and great friend that I met after Amanda’s death.  Then I also found out that the photographer (Susan) and I also have a connection.  The world goes in strange ways and brings people together for different reasons.  The premise of the campaign is beautifully simple.   Everyone should Be BOLD enough to talk about themself and tell others what their faults and glories.  It is to be your own person.  It is to Be Strong and then Stay Strong. It is not to be afraid of what others may think.  It is to be an individual.  Like a ‘snowflake’. 

I have a few different stories today.  Back about 3 months ago, there was still snow on the ground in Alberta, a person (Thomas Victor Nelson) posted on his Facebook and sent me a message/picture of what he had gotten painted on his tailgate.  It was a tribute to Amanda.  In truths, it looked awesome.  Well, Thomas came out to BC this week and we arranged to meet so that he could show me his truck.  It was an emotional meeting.  He told that he makes great chilli and cabbage rolls.  Yumm….  I told him that when he comes back to visit, he could do the cooking. (wink wink nudge nudge)  Thomas is a great person.   Meeting people in real life is great as long as one knows that they are safe.  My BBBB was home to make double sure.  Both Thomas and I posted pics on our Facebook.  He says that he gets lots of positive attention from his truck.  A lady this morning got emotional seeing it in Surrey.

The other thing that was great about today was …  if you remember … there was an anti-bullying event organized in Ontario for today.  The organizer was a youth (S) that was affected by Amanda’s life and unfortunate death.  I have spoken to both her and her mom via Facebook.  I wrote some words that she could read out loud. I read over what her mom was planning to say.  A Facebook friend (Lisa) went to the event and promised to take pictures.  Lisa messaged me just as S was going to read the words I wrote.  So I called Lisa on her cell and this allowed me to read what Staci was saying.  It was beautiful and heartfelt.  Lisa told me there was lots of emotion in the room.  I heard the applause.  I also saw photos that Lisa took.  I felt like I was there for some of it. So proud that this was happening across the many miles.  S wants to do this again next year.  Bullying/cyberbullying + mental health!!!

I had a short cry this afternoon.  I was in the garage and we have so many things tucked away.  That includes Amanda’s summer shoes and flip flops.  All 6 pairs of them in different colours.  Also her boogie board is noticeable behind the metal shelving.  Arggg…. (speechless).

I also started reading some letters from a class of kids that I did a presentation for  ….. Oliver’s class.  The letters were great and so heartwarming as they were from kids.

“… had enough courage and said “That is not very nice to say to her”.  The people just stared at her in confused faces, then just left.   From that day on, they never talked or hit me again.”

” I think if everyone knew what kindness really is, then bullying would stop truly.”

“Because of you, I stopped playing with people  don’t know on the internet.”  (I had told the class about the ‘stranger aspect’ when playing online video games with others.

These are only a few of the words that I have read from the reflections of the students.  I will read and share more later.

It’s late.  I’m going to Candy Crush.  I’m sure Amanda would have been playing this game too.

xoxo Big hugz..

(The saying below reminded me of the sparkly shoes Amanda took for me!!)