There is a time to laugh and sing a song while the sun shines on a hot, dry day. The days are so full of changes lately. Sometimes I feel like a ship sailing lost out in the ocean drifting away. However, I had a joyful Mother’s Day. I felt so blessed by my children, who showered me with gifts of flowers and chocolate roses and the wonderful scent of my daughters baking in the kitchen. It is such a joy to watch my children growing up and wrestling with their own lives as I did many years ago.

Growing up in a family of nine, including my parents, wasn’t always full of love and blissful times but I must say I learned some lessons along the way. I often wonder where would I be today without my kids or the challenges I have experienced.

One thing I have learned is that encouragement can be the key to helping others as well as showing love. A neighbour sometimes shows love to me by sending care packages at times when I just needed a helping hand. Showing love doesn’t have to cost much – just a nice smile and maybe a good ear for listening.

I have a good friend, Carol, who I call my sister. We often have a good chuckle saying how we wish we could shake a hip if only our bones wouldn’t ache so much. She has such a nice way of laughing about the way my partner Jason does his silly antics which remind me of Charlie Chaplin.

Laugh a little and dream dreams and enjoy life more each day, because you only live once. As I take time to smell my flowers and with flowing tears of joy, I just want to encourage you all to count your blessing one by one and show love.

Clara lives in McCauley.