HERstory #8 is written by Cecil. Cecil and I have known each other for almost ten years (gasp! time flies!). We’ve been roommates and co-workers, and luckily we have managed to stay friends through all of that! I like to take credit for introducing her to her husband, with whom she has two beautiful daughters. Cecil is a mother, a wife, an artist, and an all around amazing person. Unfortunately, her blogging life was short lived, but you can still see some of her stuff here.
1. If someone wrote a biography about you, what would the title be?
From «Dust in the wind» to cool mom on the go !
2. Where are you from? How has where you’re from shaped your life?
I was born in France, Northern France, which is basically Belgium ! Raised in a catholic italian/polish family (mostly italian). Shaped in the harsh world that France is, compared to Canada. Although it did give me the luxury of having fine cheeses and wines at the tip of my fingers for cheap. I discovered fine dining, just to ditch it for less formal food, less meat, and simpler tastes. I grew up in a city where unemployment, immigration and alcoholism are sky rocketting, and it gave me only one goal in life, get out of it… And I did !
3. Where do you live? How has where you live shaped your life?
I now live in Gatineau, QC. Harsh winters, hot summers, mild springs and falls. All I need, seasons to bring chaos and routine in our family life. Seasons brings a feeling of nicely rounded up years, it’s not always the same low rainy grey sky… It gives you the opportunity to buy more clothes, to experiment with 20 degree differences (within a few hours!), and makes you understand that nothing is ever totally sure or predictable. People here are happier, you can leave your purse on the table without being scared of being mugged, you can be a woman without being scared of how you dress, you can be more free and less judged. It’s pretty great ! I am way more chill now that I live here !
4.What is your greatest achievement?
My kids, nothing else to say !
5. What is your greatest regret? Or what is your greatest fear?
My greatest regret might be not to have come here earlier. My greatest fear is actually right now to know I am going back to France to visit, it scares the hell out of me !
6. What would you tell a young girl who is struggling with something like her identity, bullying, not fitting in, etc.?
I know it probably seems unbearable right now, and that it will take for ever, but it will pass. Growing older is the best thing that happens to mankind. And if some assholes stay assholes, well, you will be strong enough to tell them to fuck off ! Patience is the key. And I know that right now you probaly do not believe me, and you might think this is so unfair and horrible and everything, but time heals and will make you stronger… Be patient, you are unique…
7. What’s next?
Next is take time to see my munchkins grow up, let them know how much I love them, let them know it’s ok to be sad, angry, mad every now and then, that I will always be there for them. Next is me growing more and more patient, because as I said before, that is the key to happiness. Take your own time with the ones you love, including yourself.
And on a less soul searching way, get that crazy good job I finally know I want to have. Now that I have the perfect family, I’d like to have my dream job and may be one day my dream house !
Where's Allie? 