About
Kim MacGregor
One Million Amazing Women is a grassroots movement to unite women around the world through a simple act of kindness – an expression of gratitude- made through a nomination. The inspiration behind this movement is one courageous spirit I proudly call my friend, Erika Heller. Erika lost her 4-year battle with inoperable colon cancer May 28, 2009 at 31 years old, just 2 weeks shy of her 1-year wedding anniversary. Erika’s friendship taught me so much about courage, strength and the power one person has to positively impact another person’s life. When she passed away, I searched for the reason “WHY” someone so kind, spirited and loving would be taken so young. I realized the lesson isn’t in her passing but in how she lived her life.
Given only 6 months to live when she was diagnosed, Erika knew her life would be cut short. Instead of becoming bitter and resentful, she chose to live life to its fullest and to tell the people in her life that she cared for, what she thought was “so amazing” about them and why she was grateful to know them. I was one of the many who had the privilege of hearing her simple, but powerful words of thanks, often.
Erika’s unstoppable spirit, kindness and love of life continue to have a profound impact on my life and my children’s lives – whom she treated like her own. We forget sometimes in the hectic pace of life – to stop and thank the women who inspire us, uplift us, and make us believe in ourselves. This movement is a reminder – a way to unite – to connect and to celebrate the women in our lives.
I feel a “calling” to pay tribute to Erika’s memory by creating a legacy in her honor. To pay it forward, and to inspire a globe of women to continue to do what Erika did – to tell each other what we feel, when we feel it. This legacy is a reminder to all women of the power, grace and spirit we all possess and the ability we have to make a difference, if only in one person’s life. It is my goal to collect ONE MILLION nominations from men, women and children who want to pay tribute to the amazing women in their lives, by telling them through a nomination, what they think. That woman may be your mother, sister, aunt, wife, daughter, grandmother, friend, neighbor, co-worker, teacher or nurse.
I strongly believe the most inspiring, courageous, strong and heroic women in the world are the ones standing shoulder to shoulder with us in life. The women easily found amongst our family and friends. Some, we are lucky enough to still have with us, others, like Erika and my beautiful mother, we hold close to our hearts, but they remain forever a part of us. I am grateful for their influence in my life. This blog is a tribute to them.
I invite you to share your stories on this blog.
And take a minute to nominate the amazing women in your life!
With much love,
Kim xo
1.
Filomena Costa | February 7, 2010 at 11:43 am
I am so moved by your story and love of your dear friend Erika. You are right, the lesson is not in the “Why” of her passing at such a young age, but rather how she lived her life!
I imagine the tenderness of telling every woman she met – what amazed her about them and how grateful she was – to be life-giving and transforming. Gratitude in itself is a powerfully healing vocation. To spend each day in gratitude, no matter what our circumstances are, gives us meaning and inspiration in our lives.
There have been countless women in my life who have inspired me on my journey, from the very deep connections, to the simple by-chance meetings.
When we choose to live our lives in awareness and gratitude we can see so many inspiring women around us, and taking a moment to offer a kind gesture – a smile, an acknowledgement can and will create a more peaceful world….not only among women, but among all people.
The women that come to mind in my life, which have inspired me greatly would be, my mother Sara. For her simplicity as a caretaker, watching her attend to my father needs, (he was very ill in the last few years of his life) with her unending unconditional love was awesome to witness.
My dear sister Isabel, who has inspired me with her acts of kindness and generosity, they are both genuine and from her heart. She taught me the art of giving, and not expecting anything in return. She has cared for each of her nieces and nephews as if they were her own, she helped raise each child with love and kindness.
My oldest daughter Daniella, has inspired me to become a better person, she has shown me what it is like to be determined and persistent. Her creative beauty has taught me to be appreciative of the creative life force that is within all of us.
My twin daughters Isabella, and Megan.
Isabel has inspired me to appreciate the art in my life, with her passion for drama, arts and all things living, she has often graced me with her illuminating essays, and wonderful performances.
Megan has inspired me to seek justice and to embrace the art of “being fair” with all that arises in life. Her tenacious desire to always see both “sides of the coin” amazes me and inspires me to pause before reacting and rather, respond to whatever life brings me.
There have been many professional women in my life who have inspired me with their ability to be ever present to other women in their lives – One mention would have to be Katia from Positive Fabulous Women, whom I have had the opportunity to sit and chat with. She is truly inspiring with her ability to naturally connect women with many opportunities for personal and professional development. Her wonderful smile and genuine love of women is transparent and endearing.
And then there are the women who have graced my life with their beautiful talent and inspirational words, Maya Angelou with her graceful poise, her strength and her poetry which have moved and stirred the love in my heart.
My dear friend Belinda Brady – a Jamaican born, Canadian recording artist, who has often lifted my spirits with her raspy roots vocals to her gentle offering of friendship. She has, often, afforded me her shoulder to cry on!
A wonderful woman who is nameless, as it was in passing that she inspired me to write poetry, when I was afraid to write – as English was my second language and I struggled with grammar… (etc) She told me about “poetic license” which freed me to just pick up a pen and write. It was a brief moment but it had a huge affect on my life!
There have been the numerous women mentors who have also graced my life with their wisdom and unyielding capacity to truly “see” the woman before them.
I have to mention my dear friend Grace Cirocco – the Canadian best-selling author of “Take the step the bridge will be there” who has “graced” and touched my life with deep reverence.
Grace raised me up from the depths of great despair and brought me into the bosom of her heart. Her unyielding care for the female soul is truly inspiring, often cited as “the midwife for the female soul” She has birthed many women into their own personal power and freedom.
I would like to thank you Kim & Erika for your beautiful site, it is heartfelt and truly inspiring!
Like the quote on your site which states that “inside every story, there is a beautiful journey.” Reading your story was indeed a beautiful journey.
I wish you all the best in creating the movement of one million amazing women – I believe it will be an easy task to accomplish – there are so many amazing women amongst us!
Peace & Love,
Filomena Costa
February, 7th 2010
2.
Kathleen Dempsey | March 1, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Your story is very sad Kim, yet Erika has left a lasting impression of goodness on you and inspired you to do great things in life, like this movement. That is what our lives are all about! Erika sure sounds like the kind of friend everyone would want to have.
It is beautiful for you to preserve her memory and inspire others in this way.
The amazing woman in my life is my mother Shirley Sciberras. My mother always worked double jobs to look after myself and her other two children. She survived various life threatening illnesses and circumstances in her life all the time keeping us kids active in social activities like girl guides, hockey, bowling, and making sure every weekend we did family things together, no matter how tired she was. She was always an independant and strong willed woman. Around 51 years old my mother found out that she had a cancerous inoperable oligodendroglioma brain tumor. The family was devastated. My mom lost her prestigious job with the supreme courts of Ontario, lost her license, and eventually her home. Now 11 years later, with no help from the government, my mom is still persevering. She has had major surgeries and lost a lot of her mobility. At 62 years old she is now in a nursing home, but her strength and determination to never give up the fight has kept her alive and hopeful for the future. If I was in her shoes I don’t know if I would have so much courage. Life is a daily battle for her, she is often in pain, and her memory functions are impaired, yet she hangs on to the memories of the past, the so many great times we have all had together, and the love that keeps her an amazing part of our family. My mother has taught me that determination and hope can go a long way. Thank you for this opportunity to share in what an amazing woman my mother Shirley is.
3.
onemillionamazingwomen | March 1, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Thank you so much for sharing this powerful story about your courageous and valiant mother, Shirley. How lucky you are to call her your mom!
Yes – Erika was a very special person and a wonderful friend – ALWAYS there for all her friends when we needed her. I feel blessed to have known her, and grateful for the opportunity to meet people like you through this movement. We all have equally powerful and influential women in our lives who who shape our character, change the way we see the world, and build our strength, perspective and understanding of what it means to be a woman. Thank you for being part of this movement. Big hugs to you and your mom, Kim xoxo
4.
Nicolle | July 2, 2010 at 2:03 am
Erika was a dear, dear friend, and today on her birthday I am remembering her dearly. I am going through some things and remembered what a special spirit Erika was and how she dealt with what she was given, she is an inspiration to me, I am so grateful to her and to have her in my life always.
5.
onemillionamazingwomen | July 2, 2010 at 4:58 pm
So nice to hear from you Nicolle. Sharing thoughts and hearts of the very special Erika Heller with you. Aren’t we lucky to have know her?!
Big hugs (and big thanks for reaching out)
Kim xo