Gratitude Girl

Dear 2022: You’ve been on my mind… You came into my life with a storm and flooded my cabin. I spent hours and hours drying the floor so that the water wouldn’t turn into ice because of freezing temperatures, so our initial encounter was somewhat unpleasant, but this made me install a floor drain in my at-the-time-roofless sunroom. Thanks for the insight. You allowed me to publish Reflections: A Journey of Transformation , a book that was difficult for me to write. I didn’t like my first draft, so I rewrote it, all of it, in two weeks and spent another four editing it. Thank you for letting the words flow. You gave me the opportunity to visit Indiana and teach four classes at a prestigious university. I got to work with wonderful students. This allowed me to make published authors out of my writing students and gave me the material for another memoir, Indiana Joes , the second book I published during our time together. Thank you. You gave me enough sunny days to work on my sunroom, and ...

Dear Kerry: You've been on my mind... I've known you for over a decade now, as a neighbor, a book buddy, a karate instructor, and a friend. Even though we have had ups and downs in both our lives and we have been geographically apart for a long while, we have somehow managed to remain friends.  When I recently reached out to you to help support a life in danger, you immediately contacted everyone you could think of that could help us. Thank you for being you. I appreciate your efforts and feel grateful to have you in my life.  Love... Noosha Ravaghi

Dear Shervin: You've been on my mind... For nearly three months, I've been either playing your lovely song "Baraye" or singing it — nonstop. You're a wonderfully talented artist. Thank you for collecting people's tweets and making this song. Thank you for being people’s voice and expressing it so beautifully. I know that you went through hell for singing what became the people’s anthem, and I’m sorry that you suffered. Please know that Iran is proud of you and so very grateful. Love & Gratitude… Noosha Ravaghi

Dear Mario: You've been on my mind... I didn't know you until very recently, when you ran out into the field during the Portugal-Uruguay game at the FIFA World Cup event in Qatar. You brought attention to the current world issues by carrying a rainbow flag for LGBTQ and wearing a t-shirt that supports Ukraine in the front and shows respect for Iranian women on the back. I applaud you for your act of bravery. You are, as your t-shirt says, Superman. You were escorted off the field and detained by the officials for an hour, but the millions of people you supported are grateful for you. As an Iranian woman who supports LGBTQ and wants peace for Ukraine, I am grateful to you. Respect & Gratitude... Noosha Ravaghi 

Dear Toomaj: You've been on my mind... I respect you for being a morally upright person and a great artist. I love your work. You bring up the societal issues in Iran and fight corruption in a magnificent way through your rap songs. Thank you for being the voice of the people. Thank you for all you do to make your country and this world a better place. Thank you for being you! I'm sorry you have been arrested by this unjust regime. It breaks my heart that you are under torture. Your message to the people has been clear, though: Keep fighting the good fight! Your sisters and brothers are doing just that. We all appreciate your work and respect your strength. We are all grateful for you. Love, Respect, ... & Gratitude Noosha Ravaghi

Dear Jakub: You've been on my mind... I only met you recently through your art and felt immediately captivated by your originality. I love how you combine your hobby and your principles. Thank you for supporting the people of Iran in their fight against terrorism. I, for one, appreciate your athleticism and your creativity and will never forget you. I think I speak for every Iranian freedom fighter when I say I'm grateful for you. Gratitude... Noosha Ravaghi