Happy Birthday Aunt Carolyn.

Aunt Caroyln and her son Ryan a few weeks ago at his wedding

This lady is a very special lady not only to me but to many others as well. She is such a ray of sunshine everywhere that she goes with her smiley face and encouraging words. Today is her 51st birthday and I can't be there to celebrate it with her but I will be thinking of her all day.
For those of you who don't know Carolyn I intend to share with you a few things about her. First of all she is my aunt, my mother's sister and the one that reminds me the most of my mom.

• she is very talented in the craft department with her sewing, crosstitching, making jewelery and anything else she decides to tackle. Everything she makes is perfect because she will settle for nothing less than perfect with her work. This is a talent that runs in my mother's family that has been passed down from Grammie.
• she always makes time for her family and friends and always makes everyone feel so welcome in her home.
• she is an excellent listener and has allowed me to cry on her shoulder a few times as well as many others I'm sure. She will cry right along with you as well. She will always share your emotions whether your happy, angry or sad.
• she has not had an easy life but ALWAYS pulls through with a huge smile on her face. She
  became pregnant while a teenager, married young and had to grow up quickly, she has lost her mother at 65 and her sister (best friend) at 45. She also lost a job that she worked at for years that she loved when the company got taken over.
• she sets a great example of how a mother and wife should be by always sticking by her family and her husband through thick and thin.
• she is very organized and loves planning things (weddings, birthday parties, family gatherings etc.)
• she loves all of her family and wants everyone to stay close. She is the glue that holds the Jackson family together always staying in touch with everyone.
• she was a huge support to me after my mom died and continues to be with her phone calls and cards and visits when I am in Nova Scotia.
• she used to often meet me for lunch when I was in University and she was working and we would have some great talks about family and life.
• some of my favorite childhood memories were spending time with her and her family.
• she puts her heart into everything she does and shares her heart with everyone she meets.
• she is a terrific grandma always having her grandkids over for sleepovers, taking them shopping, making them curtains for their rooms and clothing for special occasions. She is always sharing stories about them. They light up her life!
• she loves to decorate and change things around in her home.
• she loves to spend time at the cottage in the valley with her family every year, crafting, going for walks, taking pictures and spending time chatting
• she spoils her dog rotten, she has even made clothes for this animal as well as little booties.

This list could go on forever but these are a few of the highlights about my special aunt. I hope you have a wonderful day Aunt Carolyn and that you are spoiled by family and friends and your husband. We all love you so much!!