Monday, December 31, 2018

Reflections on The Homeless

Juicy clementines, a fresh turkey and cranberry wrap, and a box of After Eight mint chocolates with a big red bow. Someone was going to devour and savor these items that I'd selected for a care package.

Tonight it's New Year's Eve, and I'm reflecting on the homeless man who rode past my apartment on his bicycle, with 2 backpacks and a black cloth grocery bag. All his belongings were on his bike, and it made me cringe and also feel immense pity for him. I watched as he rummaged through the garbage bins along the stretch of apartments on my street. My heart ached for him.

So I reached into my fridge and packaged up what I could before he was gone.

Chasing after him, I handed him the grocery bag with the food and chocolates. "Merry Christmas," I said softly.

He was about 62 years old, face weathered from the hard times, shaggy black hair peppered with grey strands, wearing brown work boots and ratty dark jeans with a bulky, black bomber coat.

"Thanks," he said humbly, accepting the bag of nourishment.

My neighborhood has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the entire province. It is staggering. Daily, I witness scores of single men on bicycles or on foot, no doubt sleeping in parks or bushes, or perhaps along the creek. The epidemic of poverty in this city just breaks my heart, and with the closing of General Motors next year, something tells me, this place might end up being a ghost town. The mall cost $90 million to expand, but when the 2,600 auto workers are laid off, that results in millions of revenue lost annually at the mall.

These are the reflections of an author at the end of a full year. A year that has been filled with change for me, and huge personal growth. I only pray that one day we can bring an end to this vicious cycle of poverty once and for all. But maybe, just maybe, that's just me being Pollyanna.

Happy New Year, my friends.

RR xo




Sunday, December 30, 2018

REFLECTING ON THE OLD YEAR...AND RINGING IN THE NEW!! HAPPY 2019

Dear Readers,

As I sit here with my coffee on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I've been given the gift of "peace and quiet."

The other tenants are silent at the moment and here I am...reflecting on 2018 with pride and a bittersweet feeling.

You know that old saying? "The Best Is Yet To Come?" I love it. It's also a beautiful, moody and romantic instrumental by one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE BANDLEADERS, Mr. Jackie Gleason.

All in all, 2018 has been by far a better year than the previous two. 2016, as we know, rendered me powerless and depressed with the loss of my loving Trent Gardner, who passed away SUDDENLY. The months following his death sent me to bereavement counseling for the rest of 2016.

In April 2017, I was forced out of my childhood home of some 35 years. It had been sold off to a land developer and consequently, I was given a week's notice to vacate. That displacement sent me to Oshawa, Ontario. Let me tell you. I have never swallowed a more bitter pill, aside from losing Trent. First off, Oshawa, with its reputation for being "the armpit of Ontario," is a depressing place in which to reside, depending which neighborhood you get "stuck" in.

I'm in the central part. GASP! Poverty and working class are mixed with upper middle class people. It can be a sight for sore eyes at times. That's where a writer's imagination comes into play.
Never have I felt more GRATEFUL for my life than at this moment. God on high, I am deeply grateful. The degree of poverty and homelessness I witness daily...it makes my heart feel so heavy and burdened. Yet I'm so thankful for the good food I get to eat, the handful of friends I can count, and the ONE IN A MILLION DAUGHTER who loves me unconditionally! I love you Rachel!

The gratitude list seems to get bigger every year. I chose instead of being bitter...to make the most of where I am. Hence, my holiday novel was born..."THE CHRISTMAS KEYS."

It's no secret...this novel has changed my life for the better. People are buying it and reading it!!! People in America
...men and women are enjoying it and leaving 5 star reviews!! I am so blessed. I never knew a little seed of a concept could grow into a BIG, WONDERFUL holiday novel...a classic, in my eyes. In the course of the 18 months since I've moved here, so much has transpired. I've grown tremendously as an artist/creator and even more so as a human being. My outlook, my beliefs, my courage...all have expanded to a greater level. Things I never knew I could do on my own...have happened for me. It just goes to show that the human spirit is much stronger and capable than we give ourselves credit for.

I have adequate shelter, I have my daughter, some friends, clean water, my health, and something else...

***MIRACLES***

Please -- if you can try -- don't ever underestimate the miracles in your life. Be they people, or small things that happen throughout your travels...keep a list of all the goodness that comes into your path. You will be amazed at how fast the list grows "right before your eyes."

I want to end this blog entry on a HIGH NOTE...to thank you all for being such great friends and for supporting my artistry as an author. I'm humbled and honored that you take the time out of your busy lives to read my little romance stories. My wish for you all in 2019 is that you ring in the brand new year with a bang...and celebrate how far you've come...and where you're headed...STILL.

oh, and a BIG SHOUT OUT to Mister Giberson for being my "heart & soul" behind the project that made my year "complete." I love you big time, my friend.

Cheering for you always,

RR xo






Wednesday, December 26, 2018

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN HEAVEN, MY LOVING TRENT

Today marks the 57th birthday of my dearly departed soulmate, Trent Gardner...


I feel him near me...ever so close...closer than ever in recent years. He passed suddenly (suicide) on June 11, 2016.

My life has never been the same since that fateful day. I cannot express to you how utterly BROKEN my heart has been since Trent left this earth.

I really don't know how I've managed to go on without him. 2.5 years without his presence, without his laugh, or his wisdom...his music...his comfort.

Inspite of his physical departure, he is still very much here. Trent, I thank you for being near me. For the countless dimes you've dropped at my feet to remind me that you are closeby. For the people you have sent to feed me or help me. For the little miracles that came when I needed money or encouragement.

All of this...a gift of love from above. I will love you always. Till the seas run dry. Till the stars burn out.

Forever your Queen,

RR xo



Wednesday, December 19, 2018

CHRISTMAS JOY!!!

Dear Readers,


Don't you just love this time of year? The days are short, the nights cool and crisp, and the fireplace is burning with the living room lights down low. Just the glow of the Christmas tree to light the room.
There might be a fresh snowfall coming or the promise of one. If you have a special person in your life, this time is even more memorable, because the romance of the season is front and center. Everything just feels so ALIVE...and unforgettable. It has MEANING where
it would otherwise be just another day.

I want to share some Christmas joy tonight with you. I've just come from the most SPECTACULAR CHRISTMAS CONCERT!

The REAL Derek Keys (yes, there is a REAL LIVE MAN who inspired my book "The Christmas Keys") put on a stellar performance at Simcoe Street United Church, to raise funds for the homeless. As president of The Back Door Mission for The Relief of Poverty, Derek Giberson is my personal hero. Not only that, but is the modern day hero for countless homeless, hungry and addicted people who need a hand up in this community.

I am floored and honored to know him. Somehow, the Universe put me here in his ward. Where I once tried to resist this fate (being misplaced from my idyllic hometown to this awful city that I begrudged), I now ease into it and accept that RIGHT HERE AND NOW...I am meant to be.

The most PERFECT AND BEAUTIFUL story has come out of my spring of writing. Thank you Derek for all that you are, and for being the magnificent soul that God made you to be. I am GRATEFUL for your existence, HUMBLED by your presence, in awe of your beauty, and ENAMORED by the majestic man that you are.

Tonight you walked onto that stage in a red blazer with gold buttons, black pants, brown shoes and a crisp white shirt. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. My storybook hero had come to life!!

Sorry if this comes off as some sort of gloating fool. I just want you to know that...after my huge loss and heartache...I am infinitely happy to have found you on this planet. Did you know...that when I lost My beloved Trent...I feared the worst? That the stories in me would die, that the well of ideas would dry up and be no more, and that I would walk this earth as some shadow of who I used to be. Horrible, right? I feared that I would lose my edge and the ability to write with conviction...or any sort of talent that i was born with.

Lo and behold...I was wrong. Alas...from out of the blue...a vision appeared. Someone to chase away my fears and remind me that life is still...after all...worth living.

Derek, you have brought me Christmas Joy tonight at the concert. You and those amazing singers and performers...blew me away. I am blessed to know you. So many mouths will be fed. Lives will be touched. Hearts will be warmed in the midst of winter. Last year, in one night, you raised $17,000. This year, as the concert runs two nights, I am expecting you and the Mission to bring in over $30,000.

God Bless You, sweet man. If this blog post makes me a sap, then so be it.

You've brought me Christmas Joy beyond what I expected this season.

May your glass always be full, your heart be light, and your bankroll be forever replenished.

I love you, My friend.

Merry Christmas,

RR xo














Sunday, December 9, 2018

BRAND NEW KEYS!!!

Dear Readers,

I can't contain my joy!!! My brand new holiday novel has just dropped and it's beautiful!!!

Even better, I am offering it for FREE on Kindle from Dec 10th to 14th!!!! Get your copy now!!!

Please, kindly leave a REVIEW for me on Amazon and Goodreads. Let's get this book to Number One!!!! Thanks for all your wonderful support.

Special Thanks and Dedication to Mr. Derek Giberson, my inspiration behind the hero, Mr Derek Keys.

Happy Holidays and much love,

Rochelle xoxo

Sunday, December 2, 2018

Christmas In My Heart: A Poem For A Special Muse

Whenever you come around
I light up
Like a Christmas tree
in Rockefeller Center

Like a kid
Who's met Jesus
For the very first time

What you do to me,
Magnificent music man
You send my heart in a tailspin
My brain in a flurry
Of love
and adoration

Grateful
So damn grateful
For Christmas In My Heart
The one you brought me
The feelings you've inspired
Too many to mention
Too massive to express

This love is Golden
Epic
Instrumental
Monumental

You've opened the floodgates
With your cool blue eyes
and warm, warm heart
I cannot thank you enough
There would be no measure
No way to contain
Just what you mean to me

So here is my heart
On a silver platter
With a big red bow
Just for you
And you alone
My sweet man

Christmas is here
Alas, finally...
Christmas in my heart

I give it all to you
For all time and
for eternity

I LOVE YOU.

RR xoxo