Frida's cafe

Do you know who the unicorns in your life are? For me, unicorns are those individuals in our lives who stand out- make a difference and are rare.

This week marks a year since one of my all time favorite unicorns left the earth. The photo above is in my fridge and still so hard to see it and not think about how much we miss her presence. Her spirit, soul and kind heart are incomparable. Helen had this magic that allowed you to let your guard down and be your imperfect self. Her words were genuine and always came from her heart- a place of kindness and care. 

I met Helen right before giving birth to Gael. A friend suggested her as a good person to care for him once I had to go back to work.

When you meet her, you feel like you’ve known her for years. She had a way to make you feel special with her warmth. You felt welcomed and instantly loved. She made you feel like family. This felt rare for me. Foreign. How can someone be so nice? But that’s her. Like a rare beautiful unicorn you only read about in fairytales. A heart filled with kindness unlike any other I had ever come across.

She opened her home, heart and family to Gael and I. No questions asked. No judgments, just the purest, most caring and exceptional love one would only dream of.

For Gael, Helen is his grandmother. A loving grandmother who always welcomed him with open arms.  I remember he never wanted to leave her home when I picked him up after work. He always said, “ 5 more minutes, mama!”

Helen didn’t just care for Gael, she treated him like one of her grandchildren. She used to sneak little gifts in his diaper bag before I picked him up at the end of the day. “It was on clearance,” she would say after I would text her to thank her and tell her she didn’t have to do that. I love the way she always thought about him, me. Always came to his birthdays. To my gatherings with friends. The way she cheered for us.  The way she always showed up.

For me, she filled a void I didn’t realize was there until she passed. She made me feel loved in a way that’s impossible to explain with words.  She made me feel important, included and always said, “you ARE family!”

I recently found this card she gave me when I got a new job. She did things when you least expect it and always reminded you when she was thinking of you. I miss that tremendously. 

I believe we all have unicorns in our lives- those who lift us up when we are down. Those we connect with, challenge us and make us stronger. Those who lead with humanity, kindness, and conviction. Those who remind us we matter.

I feel privileged to have more than one unicorn in my life. These are special individuals I will always make time for and whose presence always bring light to my life. Even if it’s from a distance. It is those I don’t see often but can pick up right where we left of when we do.

They are members of my family, friends, mentors, and colleagues.

They are individuals I’ve fallen love with. Those whose love has felt profound and rare.  Those who see us as we are, embrace us, and leave a mark.

These connections challenge us, help us grow, and evolve. We are better because of them.  

I’ve been meaning to write this for a while but I always tend to procrastinate.  I hadn’t really mentioned it to anyone until one of my staff gifted me the below for Christmas. It reads….

I was touched because I was being described as a unicorn. 

My hope for you is that you have many unicorns in your life – those who bring you light, joy, and unwavering support. 

Today my heart remembers Helen whose beautiful spirit lives and motivated us to be the best version of ourselves. 

Today my heart is with her family specially her husband Joe.

Today I am reminded of how lucky Gael and I are to have felt Helen’s care, love, and extraordinary magic. 

She is by far one of the most beautiful unicorns that have touched our lives.

We miss you, Helen.