Last week my closest friends and family celebrated the BIG 4-0 with me! (of course….I knew about it as I am not one to be surprised too easily…..I find out everything!) Even so, it was so special to have everyone under one roof. And my sister, Lily, who organized the whole thing, lovingly made sure that I had exactly 40 candles on the cake….plus 1 for good luck of course.
Me and my friend Lina……who is always “peppy” and smiling!!
Here are my nephews, Vic & Rob, and my brand spanking new neice, Marta! She has been married to Vic now for 2 months! Wow….it just seems like I photographed their wedding yesterday.
Here’s Glendon and I (my 2nd shooter), who I can thank for most of these photos (except this one of course……)
I wasn’t allowed to shoot, but I managed to sneak this one in of my very sweet friend Paola and her man Daniel. They are so amazing together!
My photo friend Frank and I
Me, my daddy and Argentina. My dad came from Dominican for Vic’s wedding, and ended up staying an extra month just to be there for my Birthday……….thank-u daddy!! Love you.
But my most precious gift came a few days after my party, and right on my birthday of Oct. 1st. It started off with my usual 5k walk early in the morning. Then my good friend Paola came over and gave me a gift bag and a card. I was confused as she had already given me a gift at the party. Let me share a little of how I met Paola, who was so meant to be in my life.
Paula would “stalk” my blog often and was a devoted fan of my work. When her mom was diagnosed with cancer, she sent me an e-mail since she had remembered seeing a post on my blog about a health retreat I went to in Alberta. She was hoping to help cure her mom by natural means. I replied back to her and felt such a connection right away. (Still have our 1st e-mail) I had to meet her…and her mom. I assumed she lived so far away, but was surprised to learn that she was literally 8 min. from my home!
Her mom, Esther, is a very special woman. I was immediately drawn to her sensitive, gentle spirit. I wanted to see her more, and went over whenever I could get away from work. My friendship with Paola grew over time. I felt like I knew her forever! But sadly, I watched as Esther was progressively getter weaker and weaker. My heart was aching for her as I just wanted this disease to go away. But she was stronger than anyone around her….and even with all her pain, I never heard her complain….not even once. She really enjoyed it when I would go over and blow dry her hair…..and so did I! I had so much hope for her, but sadly, it was too much for her body to bare, and so Esther went to be with the Lord in July. Her faith kept her strong the entire time.
So, getting back to Paola’s visit, as I read the card she had given me, I realized it was not from Paola, but from her mom, Esther, who had given her the words to write as she lay in the hospital just days before she left us. Paula was just waiting for the right time to give it to me. It read:
“Dearest Silvana ~
I want you to know what a blessing your presence and support has been in our lives. You are an incredible gift from God. Your prayers, freindship, advice and all the time you have taken out of your busy schedule to help my family and I has been much appreciated. I have also enjoyed all your wonderful blow-dries. I just finished watching the DVD you made for me. It is so beautiful, I just loved it! Please never forget the difference you have made in my life.
Till we meet again sweet friend,
Love Esther”
I know she is now in the best of hands…..with God who she loves so much. This woman was so special. As she lay in her hospital bed, now barely able to see, she asked for a pen and paper and wrote this special note for all her family & friends and signed it with an exclamation mark and double underscore:
Esther….I miss you very much….your inner and outer beauty radiates God’s true love for us all….I have learned so much from you in the short while that I knew you. You made such a tremendous impact in my life. I could only hope that I would be half the incredible woman you were and make such a difference in other peoples’ lives as you have.
Love you and miss you,
Silvana ~
Love these warm cuddle shots…….
We drove out to Hamilton to shoot at an old warehouse which Suzanna and her family own….so it was nice not to get kicked out of a really cool location for a change! This place has been used for many film sets, including the “Incredible Hulk” just last summer. It is huge! When they let me loose in there, my brain was going a kazillion miles per hour as I did not know where to shoot first! 
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