**THROWBACK POST**
November 7 2015:
What do I do when my chair falls apart as I’m sitting in it? I take the top piece, put it over my lip and say, “I mustache you a question? What happened to my chair?” Fun times …. xoxo
Category Archives: News and Events
A Most Important Lesson
November 29 2017:
Thanks Michelle Colón-Johnson for the inclusion in this article when it originally appeared in Huffington Post. It was just recently published by The Good Men Project.
“The most important lesson perhaps was the one shared by Camilla Downs who shared, No matter the circumstances, love is always the answer… and love starts with making the choice to love yourself.”
Sending big, warm hugs to you Michelle! xoxo
https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/7-lessons-learned-through-divorce-and-marriage-lbkr/
Doing This Life Dance With Thomas – Happy 12th Birthday
December 8 2017:
A wee bit late creating this for Thomas … Yet, this is part of his birthday present (His birthday was 11.13.17)
Thomas ….
In this, your twelfth year
orbiting the sun ….
You light up my life
like I could never
have imagined ….
For I fully believe
you and I have a long
history beyond the
earth suits we now wear.
You and I made an
agreement to help
one another past
blocks that we’ve
held onto for
many lifetimes.
Thank you for staying
true to our long
ago made agreement.
As much and as many
times as I’d like
to stick my head
in the sand and
pretend I don’t know
what I know.
Thomas Arthur ….
My soulmate from
another time, another place.
You are one
who truly
knows me.
Knows me enough ….
to call me on
my own BS.
Standing up to me
when the ego
rears its nastiness.
You came swimming
into this world
on the thirteenth
of November 2005,
and have known
from the moment
of your first breath
who you are …
And have never
forgotten to stay
true to your heart.
Yet, you remind
me often that you
too are human …
With unkind
remarks and
decisions.
Indeed a reminder
of the Yin and Yang
of this wondrous
thing called Life.
I am so
incredibly blessed
by having you
as a partner in
this dance of life.
In other words … You are Unforgettable and I Love YOU!!
********
How lucky can one mom be? Let me …. Go here to read the rest …
Cover and Interior Finished and Ordered Proof and Lillian Gives an Update – Where Would You Fly Book
December 18 2017:
Cover and Interior are FINISHED on our end and submitted for review with the printer! Hallelujah!!
December 20 2017:
Just. Ordered. The. Proof book. Oh my gosh! This book is so incredibly beautiful! xoxo
December 21 2017:
So much love and gratitude for and to Kate Raina!! The one I have referred to as our Angel Book Designer.
She took Lillian’s writings and my ideas and made them into a beautiful and eye pleasing book. We are so incredibly blessed by your determination, hard work, love, and kindness Kate!!
If you are in need of a fabulous graphic designer, please reach out to Kate. She is part of our C18 family and is a single mom also. Love you tons and tons Kate!!
Plus, Plus!! The proof book has shipped! It’s on the way to us!! xoxo
December 21 2017:
Lillian gives an update regarding the book.
Nobody Can Conceive All the Wonders There Are Unseen
**THROWBACK POST**
December 24 2013:
Just snuggled up with Thomas and Lillian and watched this wonderful 20 minute show … Beautiful message … “The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.”
On Sept. 21, 1897, The New York Sun published what was to become the most widely read letter to a newspaper. It was sent by 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon, who lived with her parents in Manhattan. Below is the full text of that letter and the reply by Sun editorial writer Francis Pharcellus Church.
Dear Editor, I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.”
Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O’Hanlon
115 W. 95th St.
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God he lives and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10 thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
Rest of the iconic article:
https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/yes-virginia-article-1.1556978#ixzz2oQTYX5y3
If you enjoyed this writing and you are moved to do so, I’d be deeply grateful if you’d like to treat me to a coffee. Huge gratitude! –Camilla
Thomas and LEGO Wish You A Merry Christmas
**THROWBACK POST**
December 24 2013:
Thomas has been busy this morning … Made a Lego Merry Christmas video .. Enjoy!!!
They Were the Beginning of the Journey Within
**THROWBACK POST**
November 7 2012:
I am not the same person I was before these two people came into my life. They have rocked my world, turned it upside down, inside out, shaken it up, (kinda makes me think of the hokey pokey song!!). They, each in their own way, have been a catalyst for my growth and learning.
She has taught me about acceptance of myself and others, compassion for others, letting go of judgmental thoughts, flexibility, and releasing expectations. He has taught me patience, not taking actions and comments of others personally, and simply keeps me on this learning journey with all his ups and downs. I am GRATEFUL beyond words for these two young people in my life, my 6 yr old son Thomas and 11 yr old daughter, Lillian.
They were the beginning of a journey that has definitely not been easy at times, a journey into facing fears, changing thought patterns for the better and continually learning so that I can be the best teacher to them that I can be and so that I model what I think is in their best interest. It’s been one heck of an adventure and I’m thankful to each of them for the change they began in me ….
Would You Rather Be Right
**THROWBACK POST**
December 24 2015:
Love, fun love from Team TLC! …. As you gather with loved ones and family members for Christmas 2015, may you carry this thought with you … “Would you rather be right … Or happy?” Oceans of love to you!!!
The Best Reader in the World
**THROWBACK POST**
November 6 2013:
A couple of weeks ago Lillian asked if she could email authors of books she’s reading. I told her, “Sure” …. And she did just that. I didn’t know until I saw the return email of two of the authors as I monitor her email.
I emailed them both back to thank them for responding to her and Chris Grabenstein emailed me back and asked for our address so he could mail a signed book! It came in today’s mail. Thank you tons and tons Chris for your enthusiasm and spreading kindness!
The Little Giving Tree that Gave Twice
**THROWBACK POST**
December 19 2014:
The school secretary had a little giving tree on her desk with tags which read, boy or girl and an age. Thomas jumped in the car a few weeks ago and said he wanted to take one of the tags and he’d use his own money to buy a gift. We did that and had fun choosing something.
A couple of days ago I received a message that Thomas and Lillian had been chosen to be included on the giving tree and there were gifts for them. Not only did I leave with tons of food subbing every day this past week, I left with gifts for Thomas and Lillian …. So blessed and grateful!
The little giving tree that gave twice! Gave happiness to Thomas by helping him to be kind and gave to Thomas and Lillian with a surprise!