MOTHER'S DAY

To all the Moms out there today celebrating, hat's off to you. It's one of the oldest and lesser acknowledged professions. But the amount of love you receive is "full payment," so to speak, for all your efforts over the years.

Being a Mom has taught me to make sacrifices that I wouldn't have done, had I never given birth. 19 years ago, I was holding my baby girl in my arms, looking forward to what life would bring. Some of it was scary, not knowing how things would materialize, being a young mother.

Here we are, though, in 2018 and she's all grown up! Crazy, how time flies, and wonderful, how life falls into place, with its ebbs, flows and bends in the road.

I'd never trade it for a moment. The sleep deprivation, 4:00 a.m. feedings, mountain of diapers, colic, and lack of personal time. It was all worth it, every struggle, every obstacle...because it came full circle. All that love I poured into her has BLOSSOMED into a beautiful young woman who loves me with all the love in the Universe.

Rachel, I'm so proud to be your Mom. God brought me the GREATEST GIFT EVER BESTOWED when he gave me you.

Thank you for making me the strong woman I am today. Your laughter, blunt truth and boundless loyalty makes me so infinitely glad to be alive.

Cheers to you. A wonderful daughter. I love you XOXO

RR xo

Letter To A Special Muse

Dear Muse,

From the very first moment I heard your voice (Wed. July 6, 2017) at the bandshell at Memorial Park, I've been in love.

I couldn't see your face, because i was sitting so far away ( the picnic tables by John street and Centre). But that voice! It mesmerized me in seconds. 

The song was "Move On Up," originally sung by Curtis Mayfield. Your band, a rockin' and groovin' 9 piece of pure soul and funk reminiscent of Motown and the Philly soul sound, was just unforgettable. 

How I loved your rendition of that song! Your vocals were prime. Your soulfulness just captured me, swept me away to another time and space. I was catapulted into orbit. I knew this connection would be STELLAR.

What I didn't know is that it would spawn a hit novel.  How proud I am that I could write such a beautiful, satisfying piece for generations to enjoy. THE CHRISTMAS KEYS...it's endearing, heartfelt, passionate and timeless. I'm so proud of my "baby."

It wasn't until September when I'd finally get to see your face. My God. You're perfect. When you owned that stage at the small, intimate club, I swear I was moved beyond words. I loved how you brought Motown with your own flavor, and how you dazzled the crowd with your little growl as a throwback to The O'Jays("For The Love of Money"), Stevie Wonder ("Sir Duke"), Toto ("Georgy Porgy"), James Brown ("Sex Machine"), Sly & The Family Stone ("If You Want Me To Stay"),  the Spinners ("I'll Be Around"), Earth, Wind & Fire ("September"), War ("Galaxy") to name a few. The repertoire is ASTOUNDING. All that "SOUL" from a slim white man -- lol.

How proud I am of you ...and all that you are. My beloved muse, I'm in awe of you. I wish to someday be as prolific and inspiring as you are. PLEASE --never forget that your presence has left a mark on this city, your footprint forever etched in time as someone who is a born leader. The homeless you have helped, the disabled you have championed for. The voiceless you created a platform for. Your social consciousness and convictions are what also pulled me in. I am blessed by our meeting...divinely blessed in ways I cannot measure. 

I bless the day I found you. I can't wait til you are declared "Oshawa's new mayor." That would bring such drastic and fulfilling change to the city. I have all encompassing faith in you.

Forever your friend, forever your ally, forever your lady.

With much love and gratitude,

RR xoxo

BE A HERO IN SOMEONE'S LIFE

In our daily encounters, we have many chances to make a difference in someone's life. Do we take these opportunities when they are presented? Or do we rush on by in our self-focused little haze?

My own personal joy comes from giving to others, with no expectation of return. That $20 I slipped to the woman on the street who looked down and out? It gave me a rush of adrenaline like nothing else. Just knowing I may never run into her again, is remarkable itself. The beaming smile on her face affirmed that I'd made an impact. The added bonus was an hour later at a lotto counter, the machine went off with an instant win of $100. Now, THAT is something else. I don't expect miracles like this in the moment, but I gladly welcome them.

The lunch I covered for a friend "just because"? Well, a flutter of joy filled my heart when I paid the bill. No score keeping here. It's not authentic. Don't do that. Just give. It's a big boomerang effect, it comes back to you in profound ways you would never imagine.

Giving is joyful. It blesses the receiver, makes a huge difference (not always monetarily) and in turn, sends back a ripple of blessing and abundance to the giver. You just never know who you're impacting, what life you are making better by the random act of your kindness.

Being a hero in someone's life doesn't take much. It could be a favor granted, helping someone load a sofa on a truck to their new home. It might be just lending an ear to someone who lost her husband to cancer, or a friend who put her ailing mother into a long term care facility. These life changing moments hit hard, they can be very taxing emotionally and mentally on the people involved. Our friends and colleagues need us. Often, the ones who appear rock solid on the outside are actually the ones falling apart behind the scenes. They're feeling a river of tears course down their face, after a long day, sitting alone in an empty room. Believe me, I have been there. It takes a prayer and a strong heart to feel that wave of exhaustion ride out.

Who will you reach today, in your busy life? Will you strike up a conversation with that co worker on your smoke break at work? You know the one, she looks hard on the outside, rarely smiles. You think she is just "unfriendly" when really, she is going through hell. No one ever asks. They assume she is a snob or just a cold person. Go ahead, take a chance and send her a smile or word of encouragement. I have reached people on a whim like this. The floodgates that open are truly astounding!

Recently, doing a buy and sell for household items, a woman who is a repeat customer came to me. She stood in my driveway and poured her heart out to me. Her daughter had been murdered. The magnitude of trust and connection in our conversation really hit me like a tsunami. Wow, a total stranger was sharing her biggest defining life moment...I was blessed and honored by the gift of our exchange. She has come back a few more times, just to chat. She told me something that warmed me all over: "since the death of my daughter, I have become a hermit. I rarely go anywhere, except for the part time job I work. But YOU my dear, are someone I could go to lunch with. You're special. You actually care. The others don't have a clue."

Misty eyes here, as I write this entry. The Universe has brought me so many profound experiences, in 2015 alone. It blows my mind. You could say it's because I have an open mind and very receptive heart.

Just last night, someone asked, "how is it after all you've been through, that you remain open?" My response was simple. "I'm not a victim, but a VICTOR. Those scars I bear, they are just stepping stones, promptly me onward to the next BIG MIRACLE in my life.

You'd be amazed by what's coming to you...if you remain open and keep your heart warm. Please promise me you won't become bitter. It blocks the flow of abundance. It does you absolutely no good at all. You have so much to give, so many gifts to share with the wounded and lost who are searching for guidance.

If you will take a chance today -- BE A HERO IN SOME PERSON'S LIFE-- it will make a world of difference. Trust me.

Cheering for you always,

xo RR xo