Judy
“Allow yourself silly time - dance up a storm or sing your heart out.”
Judy is a beacon of positivity, who navigates life with unwavering optimism. As a dedicated mother, Judy's love and warmth brighten the lives of those fortunate enough to know her. With a spirit reminiscent of the flower child era of the 70s, Judy's adventurous nature and vivid imagination infuse each moment with a sense of wonder and endless possibility. Her greatest joy stems from the simplest pleasures—whether it's the soothing sound of waves, the touch of the wind, a strong cup of tea, or cherished moments spent with loved ones. Judy’s journey is enriched with narratives of love, laughter, and endless adventure. She is someone who embodies the word “home”. This is her story.
Judy, at the cottage (her happy place)
P: Please introduce yourself!
J/M: Hello my name is Judy, I am 62 years old (3 weeks shy of 63)! I live in Canada and am the mother of two amazing girls, of whom I consider my greatest joy…and achievement. Having children was always #1 on my “list” growing up, so I am thankful everyday that I was blessed with my two girls. I am actually jotting these reflections for one of them now…
P: How do you spend most of your days?
J/M: The pandemic we are all living through has definitely changed our everyday lives. In some ways, these changes have been positive - working from home has allowed time for activities and interactions with family members that perhaps we would have missed, projects have been completed that would have otherwise continued to be a task for “later”, and there has also been lots of reconnecting with friends we may “think about” but now have had the time and slower momentum to sit and chat with - even if through a screen!
I’m a flight attendant, and due to many COVID-19 “scares” have found myself having to self-isolate over and over again. This has forced me to stop and slow down - something I’m not very good at!
P: Tell us a story! What is something you have experienced that has shaped who you are today?
I grew up in a household where people were a central part of our lives - be it relatives, friends (of all ages), exchange students and visitors from around the world...our home was always abuzz with interesting conversations, humour, lots of tea and home-baked goodies (we have lots of Scottish grandparents)! It was also a home of learning respect and care for each other...definitely not always peaceful, but always animated.
My childhood has definitely influenced what I see to be important in life. Respect and caring of each other (especially with two daughters!), supporting and encouraging friends and colleagues, celebrating each other’s stepping-stones, putting judgement and assumptions on the back burner, trying to find a positive in every day (sometimes a hard thing, as we tackle life’s highs and lows), conquer a fear of doing something - no matter how big or small (we all have them), allow yourself silly time (if that’s in you) - dance up a storm or sing your heart out…these are the things that matter the most to me.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? And what would you say to her if she was right here with you now?
J/M: My Mum was the MOST positive person and always tried to find the positives in EVERY situation, plus she was always so encouraging of every new “adventure” that life presented - now I appreciate it more than perhaps I did in my teens!! My older sister too, as she always finished everything she set out to do, and now has conquered lots of negatives in her world, and remains so up!
P: What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
J/M: The thing I would tell my teen self would be to “pay attention” more to “who, what, where” and to appreciate experiences that I perhaps took for granted. I so wish I had absorbed and acted on so many things that I was lucky to have been exposed to…
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
J/M: As women, I believe we have the strength and power to change all those labels that have been created to bring us down. We are the stronger sex, for sure....the fact that our bodies are built to house, nurture, and protect the growing of another human being, give birth, then “bounce back” to continue on with everyday life!
Don’t get me wrong, I love my husband and think having a partner and support system in life is a wonderful thing. But I mean…women are really incredible when you think of it.
In writing all those “positives” I too am trying to encourage myself...