Rose of Sharon Jewelry

The Japanese folk tale of 100 cranes meaning a thousand years of happiness is the inspiration for Sarah’s 1,000 cranes of friendship. Wishing such depth of friendship!

Sarah’s friends have long known that she suffers from a fatal genetic disease (Cystic Fibrosis) so the book written by a young survivor of Hiroshima touched their hearts when they were very young.

I cannot tell the story of friendship shared and love demonstrated as well as Jessica Banister did in her blog post. She and Yvonne Ngai were partners in bringing a million years of happiness into Sarah’s life.

Get your hankies ready, click over to Sarah’s Facebook page where she’s posted this beautiful story.

The Most Amazing Friends

P. S. To thank Yvonne and Jessica, Sarah created a sterling silver bracelet with a silver origami crane for each of them.

Nothing like a great piece of handmade jewelry to commemorate a special event and seal a memory forever!

Thanks for stopping by again. Don’t forget to check out the newest releases in the Rose of Sharon Jewelry store.

Thankful Thursday blog posts are the perfect antidote to Tantrum Tuesday’s rants. It’s all about balance in life.

I’m a firm believer that gratitude (a close cousin to thankfulness) is the key to happiness.

Today’s thankfulness is pretty simple (simple is often the best but the hardest for us to notice) – I’m really grateful for the friends, fans, followers, customers and acquaintances  I’ve gathered around me through being online.

You’ll find my original work at -

Rose of Sharon Jewelry

A.F.F. Jewelry collection

New Life Jewelry Art 

Rose of Sharon Jewelry Facebook fan page 

I’m a stay-at-home wife, mother, grandmother, artist and business woman so the connections are an important part of my day. Also some days it’s the most adult conversations I ever get. 4 year olds aren’t too interested in what I have to say! LOL Arden (hubby) is a road warrior so he is gone more than he is home.

I have found compassion, anger, truth, empathy, well wishes and humanity from the people who email, comment, tweet and reply.

During our recent influx of new Rose of Sharon Jewelry Birthday Club membership drive, I have been reading the comments.

I see everything from a simple thanks to a women sharing how tough life has been for her on disability to a woman wishing her family was not lost to her.

So thanks for the connections (and Happiness) you bring me every day!

A critical key to happiness is gratitude. A recent post on the  Nurturing Creativity blog discusses creating your own gratitude list. What are you grateful for? Here’s my partial list – look forward to reading yours.

1. A devoted husband of 30+ years who works hard to protect and provide.
2. A Mother who is always caring for others (including me and my broken ankle).
3. A son who shares our passion for progressive politics with his 12-year-old.
4. A loving daughter-in-law equally dedicated to her family and her education
5. Grandson  Hunter (12) who shares his wisdom and loves to stay up late watching my favorite B movies like Jason and the Argonauts.
6. Kael and Orion (3 1/2) – who love coming to Grandma’s house. Kael is the “big” brother and scolds me for reprimanding Orion and let’s me play with his train. Orion is the snuggly one with a devilish personality who loves to chase me with the water hose.
7. A warm, safe and comfy home (thanks Arden) where I can work, create, laugh and share all the goodness that comes from my family.
8. My passion for learning – always challenges me and keeps me entertained.
9. My writing talent is a source of pride and enjoyment.

Leave a comment today and tell us what you are grateful for.

Hunter before his first Kart race this past October in Sonoma, CA.

Millions of words have been written through the centuries on happiness. I thought today I’d share the one single answer to your search.  Drum roll please. . . . . . . . .

It’s GRATITUDE.

Simple huh? It’s personal, practical, affordable, achievable, sharable and it works!

Through my adult life, I’ve had plenty of ups and downs. Really great highs and some terrifying lows; but every time I need to grasp onto something it’s been Gratitude that has done it for me.

No matter what the situation I try to step back and find the things I can be grateful for.

After hubby Arden was diagnosed with lung cancer, I would cry every morning on my way to my brand-new job. But when we heard that he didn’t have brain cancer – we celebrated and went out to our favorite Greek restaurant. It was gratitude that carried us through. And with early detection and surgery, he has been cancer-free for almost 20 years!

5 Reasons to be Grateful – Right Now

So turn off that depressing news network and write your own personal gratitude list. Here are 5 reasons I’m grateful today – in no particular order.

1. My grandsons live 3 blocks away.
2. My mother is coming to visit in July.
3. My sister-in-law has found a life path through her faith.
4. My husband is truly devoted to me.
5. My niece is in love.

I’d love to have you post your “I’m Grateful For List” here. I’d be grateful for your willingness to share. Look another reason to be happy!

P.S. Don’t forget to pass this on!