A Gratitude Note

For Friends who Matter

Growing up, a gratitude prayer was a part of our dining ritual. We were always told as a reminder every day, that we are temporary residents on this planet and should be grateful for every little thing we have. This, in a way always made us look into the big picture and not stop by to celebrate little wins in life. But as you grow up you realise, those big things don’t happen to you frequently and the joys of life lie in celebrating small moments, not taking away the focus from the big goals.

And if those moments entail showing gratitude to people who made it happen for you, it becomes necessary. Today the occasion is tiny but big on ‘Thank you’ and is self-explanatory:

This reached me a month back but I waited till I am able to dig into my comments section to thank everyone individually:

Pierre Trudel: I wouldn’t be here without your encouragement and handholding, in my initial days on this platform.

Team Literary Impulse Priyanka Srivastava Somsubhra Banerjee: Thank you for being who you are. It is always a pleasure to work with you and be a part of ShabdAaweg.

Dr. Preeti Singh: For showering so much love on my paintings. Your encouragement means a lot to me.

Yana Bostongirl: For being the friend you are. I was so happy to be a part of your newsletter, which featured my crafts and interview:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took the time to comment on her newsletter and my work:

Shameem Anwar Lucia Landini Katherine Jamieson Carol Townend Jill (Conquering Cognitions) B.R. Shenoy Nicole Hilbig Preeti Ramachandran Danielle Hestand Niall Leah Sianna Lani Victoria Gregg Julia Gaeta Vincent Van Patten Danielle Loewen Melinda Van Fleet Pene Hodge TzeLin Sam JoAnn Ryan Lanu Pitan Julia Winsa Esther George Christine Vann, MSc. Rasa Zalite Sara Burdick Scott Younkin Carmellita EllenEastwood Sahil Patel Rachel Idi Krishna V Chaudhary Rodrigo S-C Kathkirklandauthor Glenn Stok Jane Frost (Jane Grows Garden Rooms) Donnette Anglin Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles

A special mention for Ali Hall, who even looked for my Etsy account! Just to let you know, my Etsy account is lying dormant for many months now, but you gave me the impetus to re-think. Thank you!

And of course my circle of encouragement and inspiration without whom no ‘Gratitude Note’ is complete: A.H. Mehr Suma Narayan William J Spirdione Sujona Chatterjee Neera Handa Dr Jenine Bsharah Baines Ali Dr. Fatima Imam Trista Signe Ainsworth Sharing Words Sharing Randomly David Rudder Thief David Perlmutter Harry Stefanakis Joseph Lieungh Chris Noonan Ellie Jacobson VOICES OF THE LOST Rose Lee Carolyn Hastings Denise Darby Joe Merkle Kimberly Hampton Nilsson(not in any order) The list can go on, but we need to stop somewhere…..

As I was mulling the option of writing this gratitude note in a way I wanted to, another mail landed in my inbox, yesterday:

Here, I would like to specially mention Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles Lady Dr. Gabriella Korosi for your encouragement.

Much before Art and poetry, it was music and photography for me. So, this too, comes as a special gift.

What happens when you don’t dream a dream with your eyes open or not even dream it in your dreams eyes closed — Well, you start dreaming.

Most of the time, it seems, you are what people around you make you be, and my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made an Artist of me.

Now the dream is to find people resonating with my work and leaving happy, even if that’s for a few minutes.

I would know my job is done!

Any Thank you Note is best parked with Team TYN Trista Signe Ainsworth Ellie Jacobson Sharing Randomly, who have created this wonderful publication to spread joy and gratitude.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!