Monday 27 July 2009

Grateful














I want all of you to know that the hope, compassion, prayers, powerful energy, and downright loving thoughts that you have been sending to me and my family especially my Mom, Jacquie, and Sheldon is truly amazing and absolutely appreciated.

My very dear friend Karin did this painting for me in her journal on July 23rd, which was the day of Jacquie and Sheldon’s surgery and she described the image to me.

“I know you are each standing in the flames, but I also know you are each surrounded by each other and rings of others, who see you in light and love, who are praying for you and holding you in strength.”

I have had many dear friends mention on their blogs what has been happening in my life and asking for further prayers or loving energy. I have had more paintings done and poems written and I want you all to know I will never forget this.

I want to repeat the sentiments my dear Allegra wrote.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart. The kindness of strangers is truly the milk of human kindness, and we all know, myself in particular, what a restoring force that can be when everything around seems to be turning against us.”

I am forever grateful to each and every one of you for the support that you have shown to me.

Love Renee xoxoxo

*artwork by Karin Bartimole

68 comments:

A.Smith said...

No one deserves more love than those who freely give love. In my law there is nothing more than a gift for a gift. The love that you and your family have showered upon this world through each other is coming back to you, in tiny bits, but powerful ones. Like stars, tiny, powerful depositories of dreams and wishes. Ours, for a long and happy life for all of you.

kj said...

if tina turner should ever ask you what's love got to do with it?

tell her renee. tell her what you know and how you know it.

love
kj

Marie S said...

You are so easy to love Renee and you give so much to all of us. We are inspired on a daily basis and given a dose of reality even if we would rather hide from it and live in denial. You are real. So real in a time where there are many lies.
You are muse to many, and it is changing the world, it is the least we could do for you love. I am so honored to be able to return at least a small part of what you have so freely given me.
Love and hugs my pretty.

Anonymous said...

Renee sweetie, pop over to my blog - it is about Winnipeg, and there is something there for you, Sheldon and Jacquie.
Love to you
xoxoxo

Lori ann said...

dear renee,

you are loving kindness. we all love you, we are all family.

bless your heart,

love always,
lori

p.s. what a beautiful painting

Rosaria Williams said...

Oh good! We're all thankful. Love and best wishes for a speedy recovery to the entire family.

Anonymous said...

I renee keep you and your family so very close to my heart...

with your sister and her struggles

with your nephew and "Hector"

with you and your considerable will of life...

and mom.... what would we do with out her.....
Your are a part of my life that I will never let go of~
Love~Pattee

Anonymous said...

Dear Renee, I am bombarding heaven with prayers for your family. I pray for all of you at Mass each day. Know you are in my thoughts every moment. Please give my love to Jacquie when you see her
Love and blessings to all of you. Barb

Bobbi Ann said...

Dearest Renee, You and your family have become a fixture in my heart that I love and pray for. You've touched me in a way that I can't even describe. You need not thank everyone for our love, prayers, positive energy, paintings, poems, journal and even more, just know that we love you and care for you and your wonderful family as our own! May our Lord Bless you and your family and shine His smile and love upon yous!
Hugs and love to you...
Bobbi

Najia said...

Oh Renee, what a touching, wonderful post. Beautifully written.

Thank YOU for stopping by and taking the time to write such sweet words. It made me happy that our humble little doggies could bring a bit of a breather in your life's storm.

My prayers are with you.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Renee, I hace just been reading through all this with a heavy heart. I have not time now to make an appropriate comment to each post because I am off to work again but tonight I will read it all again. I am so very sorry for all involved and I will pray very hard.
You are in my thoughts and you I am holding your hand spiritually.
God bless ~ Eddie xx

Jaliya said...

Dear heart, so many folks are grateful for you! ... and I am so grateful for what you wrote recently to me: "Your spirit is pure." What a gift, to be regarded in this way ... and I return the blessing a thousandfold ... with continual prayers and intentions for your family's wellbeing ...

No matter what happens in life, there always seems to be a moderating force at work ... If a shitstorm is blowing in on the one hand, a shower of blessings arrives on the other ... Look around you, and Love is there, no matter what ...

xo

Marie Rayner said...

I have always thought that praying was the very least that I could do for a friend or another. Then I realized that it was the greatest thing I could do, and the most loving gesture. You and yours remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Rikkij said...

Renee- did not we put three in the furnace? Then who is that fourth fellow? uh huh. That's right.
Nice painting. Nice thoughts.
I feel good. uh huh, that's right! ~rick

Sarah said...

Hi Renee,
I am sure all these people that love you and wish for the best for you and your family must make a difference. That journal page is beautiful and Allegra's post was beautiful and so are you.
I have included you in my circle of friends award because you are my dear friend. Thank you for being my friend. I think of you every day.
Love Sarah xx

soulbrush said...

and i am grateful to know you renee, you have made my life a whole lot richer. hope that you yourself are able to get some rest....

Mim said...

much hope that all are doing well

Arija said...

I am so glad that you have got through the last few days. I too love the 23rd Psalm and use it a lot, but when in really dire straits I go for the one liner of the big one 'Thy will be done' our ego so often makes the wrong decision and that one line, if you can accept it with your very being, brings totsl peace, just knowing that that superior knowledge has your fate in hand and only the right thing will happen. It may go either way, but in the end result it will have been the right thing.
I hold you in my heart and prayers....Love,love,love..

secret agent woman said...

I guess most of us feel so helpless and want so badly to be able to do something for you. To somehow magically make this all better, like kissing the skinned knee of a child who has fallen at teh playground. But the scope of your family's medical troubles humble me and I know there is no magic kiss. With nothing else at my disposal, all I can do is, in my Quaker words, hold you all in Light. And I am, every day.

Anonymous said...

Renee, so brilliantly lovely to see so many people write their warmest prayers and messages to you and your family and friends.
I will always remember you we're my first friend in blogland, virtually here, but so real.
I hold so much dearest adoration to you and everyone I know here.
In telling us the fight of you and your family and friends, we feel apart of you. I am so glad you have so much support and you help bring the best out in others!
I love you Renee!

Lisa said...

Oh my gosh. I had not read the last three posts. You are amazing. I don't know what else to say. Many, many prayers will be said for you and your family today. xoxoxox

Heidi said...

Love the painting

Ces Adorio said...

Hello sweet Renee, perhaps now the tempest will subside.

LuLu Kellogg said...

Please keep us posted on how everyone is doing.

More love, prayers and light to you and your family,

Love,
LuLu~*xoxo

angela recada said...

Good morning, dear Renee,

Karin's artwork is stunning! I hope you are all feeling better every day, and that everyone will be able to come home again soon. Thank God that your hellish week is now in the past.

Still sending you all my love and prayers. Take care of yourself, dear one.

Love and hugs,
xoxoxo
Angela

yoborobo said...

I am grateful, too, Renee, for knowing you and your family. If thoughts are prayers, then God is inundated right now: Sheldon, Jacquie, Renee. We are holding you in the light, my friend. xoxox Pam

Anonymous said...

LOL we WERE going to Bijou as a matter of fact! Wonderful pieces they have, indeed! Unfortunately, the owner didn't show his lovely face while we were there :(

Oh Renee, I would have loved to have connected with you while I was there, but I wanted to respect your need for family time. I am planning to return - you really do live in one of Canada's most beautiful cities, and beautiful people live there. I am hoping that by the time I return, everyone will be on their way to recovery and we can get together for some laughs and chatter.

I love you as well, my gorgeous friend! I pray that all of this shitty medical stuff resolves itself soon for all concerned.

Love and hugs,
xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Dear Renee, I am just thankful that You share all these things and thoughts with us. It is just wonderful to have You here :o) Hope the recovery after the operations will be successful for both Jaquie and Sheldon. My thoughts are still with You and Your family, please take care, Kristina

Sarah Sullivan said...

Aww hon...you give so much every day to so many!! We all would offer up all we had to make you and yours better. You know what a gift you are to all of us. I adore you and I want deeply for things to lighten up for all of you. Love you hon, I'm here should you need me.
Love, Sarah

Holly said...

love is a good and joyous thing even in the midst of hardship and pain...or maybe especially so at these times...bask in love, drink in love, you are surrounded and enfolded in love...

Silver said...

:) love & hugs

Kolleen said...

what a GORGEOUS painting and it is very true what your friend wrote! the prayers are still flowing...thinking about you and yours.

Karin Bartimole said...

Hi Renee,
as everyone here has said, and says each day, you connect us all, inspiring the love that brings us back each day. Your consistent grace and courage are just so dang inspiring, and you continue to support so many others while going through so much yourself. You pretty much blow me away! I love you and thank you and am so glad to be a part of the ring of cyber support that helps bring light and energy to you in your time of need, as you have done for me so many times. much love,
xoxo Karin

Manon said...

We've never met but I feel that you're part of my family.
We support each other and pray when one needs help.
I continue to send positive vibes your way Renee!
I hope you are doing well!

Tessa said...

It is my belief is that every day is a new beginning, that we must trust that miracles do happen and that dreams really do come true. I believe in the true value of a nurturing heart through which we can find the strength and courage to pick up the pieces and begin again. I fiercely wish all of everything good for you, Renee, and for your family. If I could give anything from my life to help yours, I would give it gladly.

I’m very sorry if my message yesterday was somewhat garbled and incoherent – I was so very, very sad and shocked to read of the horrors that have beset you and your beautiful, loving family.

xxxooo Tessa

Deborah said...

Renee, I love you. I love your entire family. Did you know that infantry soldiers only sleep about 3 hours per night? He is wearing me out!?!?!? All my love on the wings of a desert sparrow flying your way, Deb

Unknown said...

Hi DEAREST RENEE!!! I have missed you and so have to catch up with you.....I was in seclusion on a working vacation....but I am back now and have to see all the stuff you have been up to...this is beautiful and you will always be an angel to me!!!

Hugs
Diana

Javajune said...

Oh my dear Renee I've been away from your blog for a while and had no idea you were going through such hell. I'm so sorry to not have been here to say I'm sending my prayers and thinking of you and your family, so I will do that now. Please take care of yourself and I hope you feel the love that surrounds you and your family at this moment.
Much hope and love floating from me to you...
xo-jj

Busy Bee Suz said...

So happy to see all the love and support you are receiving.
Love the drawing Karin did for you as well...she must be a very special person also. Take care, Suz

Marion said...

What a beautiful painting! You are truly surrounded by love and prayer and positive thoughts. May God bless you, dearest Renee, and comfort you and give you supernatural strength. LOVE & HUGS!!!

dragonflydreamer said...

You and your family are always in my thoughts and prayers. You have given me the courage to stop feeling sorry for myself and become proactive. I realized that I had to let go of the anger and most importantly step outside of myself and do whatever I can to reach out to others and make my corner of the world a better place. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and reaching out to me when you are going through so much. You are such a beautiful person and I feel very grateful to have been guided to your blog.

Jos said...

Renee, still praying really hard. To be honest I don't know what else to do. I hope. I pray. I wish with all my heart. xx Jos

Daria said...

Hope everyone is improving over there.

Marie S said...

if you can fit in an extra prayer renee. i would be forever grateful. they just took my howard hubby to the hospital. i think he might have had stroke. i can't leave i have the baby.
thank you

Marie S said...

Thank you Renee

Meghann said...

Still praying and sending positive thoughts to you and your family.
Hugs and prayers,
Meg xoxo

yoborobo said...

Love to you, Renee. Buckets of love and strength. xoxox Pam

Baino said...

You deserve all the help you can get, real and virtual.We'll keep it up.

Art by Darla Kay said...

Hey sweetness! Still praying and sending good vibes your way!
You are loved by many.....
♥♥Darla

Wendy said...

What a lovely painting! For a special person - you! I came here early this morning, read your post and got lost in the comments. Then got sidetracked and didn't get back until now.

Now I forget what I was going to say. But it doesn't matter. We are all here for each other in bloggerland. And as much love as you give out, you receive as well. You are a beautiful soul, Renee.
Namaste

kathy hare said...

we are all grateful to have you as such a wonderful friend... you and your family are constantly in my thoughts and prayers...
deepest love to you all
Kath
xoxoxo

TheChicGeek said...

We are grateful for you too!
I'm sending up a million prayers of love, support and healing to you and the family!
xox
Kelly

TouMay said...

So sorry Renee to hear the trauma you and your family have suffered. Though it must be hard to write on the subject matter, I am very grateful for your strength and post... you and your family are so genuinely loving... it makes me realize all that is truly important comes from the heart.

Ces Adorio said...

You know what renee? You know why I believe in God? You know why I believe in a kind loving God? because of my family, my parents, my children, my husband, Bella, you. Because of Diana Evans and Marie, and Tessa and Arija and Pieterbie. Because of the beautiful oak trees, the magnificent redwoods, the glorious sunsets and skies. Because when my childhood home burnt and when we had no food due to drought and when my parents worried about where to get money to send all of us to college, God sent the angels and showered us with blessings and gifts and tempered our souls and guided our spirits. How can one profess to have a soul when one does not believe in a Source of the soul? Someday, things will be clear. Life is not perfect and only a false sense of entitlement will make us think that our presence on earth is mere cakewalk.

studio lolo said...

Daer Renee,

You and your family are easy to love. Praying for them came naturally. There's power in numbers and power in prayer.
Together we're a force to be reckoned with!
To quote your family: "together strong."

Sending millions of hugs to embrace all of you.

Much love!
xoxoxo
lolo

Sandy said...

OMG, Renee, I just got done catching up on your blog. I had no idea. Huge hugs and warm thoughts to you and your family. Brutal, devastating. I was particularly touched by your line saying to take you instead of your nephew.

BTW, I still listen to Sarah McM whenever I make Bottles of Hope.

Marie S said...

Renee you are very good. Howard did not have a stroke he has Bells Palsy and it is virus that gets in the nerves. He may never get the use of that side of his face, but he is ok and may be back to normal in no time. Thank you so much Renee.
I love you,
Marie
I talked to Bobbi and she is doing pretty good but still has a long way to go yet.

Chrisy said...

Hey sweet girl...Oh I'm reading Allegra's comment as I type in this box...what a beautiful analogy...yes darling you are a precious bright star that has lit up the the darkness for so many...just by your openness...your giving...your willingness to share...your loving supportive spirit...Take care dear girl...you and your family are in my heart...

Elizabeth said...

Yes. Yes. And Yes.

Love all the time and everyday.

rochambeau said...

The prayers continue around Karin's circle of healing for you and yours.
I will NOT give up!

BIG love,
Constance

xxx said...

you're very easy to love :)
thank you for being you


xoxo Ribbon

Terri said...

It was the least thing we could do/can still do and the one of the most powerful.

So nice of your friend to do that painting for you!

yoborobo said...

Renee - a goodnight hug, and a hope that you can all get some rest. We will all keep praying, you know that. My love to all of you - Pam

~Babs said...

Most beautiful painting.
Angels on wings to watch over all. I think Bloggers are angels; perhaps unaware. Sent to our lives with purpose.
We're hovering,,,and I know you feel us.

Silke Powers said...

Renee, I hope that you and your family feel bathed in love and everyone continues to heal! Thinking of you and sending lots of love! Silke

Marie S said...

Oh Renee thank you!!! I was so scared yesterday. He is doing well though. I just freaked because he had some symtoms that were stroke like. Couldn't smile, looks like 2 face, eye wouldn't work, face numb, but his ear hurt and I thought that was kind of weird and nothing in the rest of his body was affected. Bells palsy is a inflamation of the facial nerve that might be caused by a virus. He may get the use of his face parts back in about 6 weeks, time will tell. His eye is dry and weeps all of the time and it could hurt his cornea, but he is taking really good care right now and tells me to quit treating him like a invalid. LOL!!
Thank you so much, just talking to you made me feel calmer and like I had someone on my side. Bless you friend. You already have so much on your plate and you are so kind to throw in an extra prayer and time. He was in and out of the hospital in 3 hours, record time around here.
Love and hugs.

Caroline said...

Dear Renee
I'm catching up on your news and am so happy to read that the ops have been successful. It must be such a comport to have your whole family around you there and another whole family routing for you around the world.
With love and more wishes for positive outcomes.
Caroline xx

Draffin Bears said...

Dear Renee,

Thinking of you lots, as the last few days have been so hard for all your family.
Glad to hear that the operations are over and sending positive vibes and prayers that the recovery and healing will be speedy for your family.

Love & hugs
Carolyn xo