THE NEW 365 DAYS OF GRATITUDE - 2015

Inspired by our sister, Rita... 

Today marks one month since her passing. In remembrance of her, we, her sisters, are starting 365 days of appreciating life, in all its details, as she inspired us to do through her photography, paintings and poetry. 

As she liked to say, "I have a crush on life."

We hope all who come to these pages feel the same.   

(Left to right: Marie, Loranne, Carol, Rita & Diane)

Thank You, Everyone ...

With my birthday week coming to a close, I'm at a complete loss in choosing whom to thank, so I'll thank everyone. I'm blessed to have such a nice collection of friends and family who shower me with love on a regular basis. From thoughtful gifts given to me in person and in the mail, to a job where I feel respected and valued, and a neighborhood that is rich with intelligent and caring neighbors, I couldn't feel more gratitude for the people around me and the way they manage to make my life ... perfect.

Thank you!

Love,
Rita

Rita

Happy first day of Summer all!

Yesterday was a day to celebrate. It is the day, and I won't tell you how many years ago, that my youngest sister made an appearance into our lives. God knew what he was doing.

(She is the one in the front, smiling in her pretty dress. Aren't all my sisters sweet?)

Rita has more talent than allot of people have in their whole body. If you were to look through her pretty green eyes for just one day, your life would be changed forever. You would see things and question things that you never had before. You would see beauty where as before you only saw a rusty building, a pile of brush needing burning or you would simply see what the world offers you in the form of beauty.

As far as what kind of sister she is, she laughs uproariously with me at a joke we only get, it is fun to verbally spar with her which only once again ends up in laughter. We are both not stubborn so our relationship is easy ;) Rita is giving, kind and always ready to be a shoulder when you need one. If I never had her in my life, I know I would always have felt that I was missing an important part of myself. She is simply my sister in every way that is. I love you Rita.

Diane

Mom

This week, and it is fortuitous, I would like to thank my Mom. Today is her birthday and I am so happy to have her in my life!

My Mom is the kind of person that everyone just loves due to the fact that she is so giving and sweet. She would do without to make her children happy which frustrates me to no end. She is the one that needs spoiling and to be inundated with gifts and love.
Time is precious for me that I get to spend with her and I thank God every day that she is my Mom and I know my four sisters do also.
God gave her many gifts and one of the stronger ones, besides her big heart, was her ability to just look at a plant and it grows. She plants flowers and a very large garden every year in order to share with us and others. She also complains that WE give HER too much! Imagine!

So thank you Mom from my heart to yours. Others could only dream of having a Mom like you :)
Love always
Dziane (said with a French accent)

Dear Jane ...

Dear Jane,

How many times have we said to each other, "I wish we lived closer together."?  I've enjoyed watching our friendship blossom and grow over the years, from brief emails, to long discussions about photography, all things French, and any blog titled with numbers. Your thoughts on art, films, fashion, and life, really, always get me excited about something new. I've often been touched by your kindness and generosity. And today is no exception.

On receipt of your latest gift, I find myself reflecting on how perfectly you know the right thing at the right time. Thank you for this wonderful graduation and early birthday gift. A Collection a Day is perfection. Thank you!

Love,

Rita

Hello All,

I have been woefully absent these past couple weeks and I sincerely apologise to you all for it. It feels like life gets so busy and time just whips by and when you pick your head up, you find yourself in another month. Phew!

This week ( I am sorry I am a day late) I wish to thank my employers. They quite often go above an beyond what any other employer I have ever known has ever done. We sincerely feel like it is a family working together here with a few spats now and then to make it interesting :) I know that they sincerely care and want us to be as successful as they are and give us a say as to how to make it happen.

So, after 12 years here at Noyle W Johnson, I thank you Tim, Peter and David and hope to be a part of it all for a while to come.

Dear Leann ...

Dear Leann,

You would think that twenty years would soften the edges of our friendship, but it seems it only gets sharper and richer with time. I think we must have recognized each other as worthy friends when we first met. (Who else would befriend someone wearing purple tights and walking her cat on a leash?) Our conversations over the years have been a source of constant challenge, passion, and humor. You insist on seeing me in the best possible light, though I think, while you know my flaws better than anyone, you tend to graciously turn a blind eye. Every time we see each other, you give me new ideas, new inspirations and creative endeavors, and new ways of looking at this strange and wonderful world we live in.

It's a wonder to look back at the events in our lives in which we've supported each other through some of life's real challenges. I have collected enough of your kind words which I've 'put in my back pocket' for when I most need them to last another two lifetimes.

For you, I am eternally grateful. Thank you, my dear, dear friend.

Love,

Rita