Family

Listen to Your Superiors

Nov 7, 2024Nov 7, 2024

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

Here’s the thing about being a senior citizen. The word ‘senior’ sucks! Here’s another word that sucks — ‘grown-up’. I will toss one more into this yucky mix — ‘old-timer’.  Whoever came up with these unflattering, disappointing and horrendous terms?  Perhaps it would be more flattering to refer to a senior as a Superior, a Chief, a Leader, a Master or an Exquisite Elder. If seniors were given proper flattering identities, which truly reflect their superior value, they would be more respected and entrusted in our society.

The Ladybug Effect

Oct 28, 2024Oct 28, 2024

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

I don’t know if you believe in spirits, but I seriously do. My grandmother, Sadye Cohen, was quite a grand dame. We didn’t call her Grandma, Safta, Nonna, Lola, Meemaw or Bubbie; she was Sadye, the same name her friends used.  She was 4-feet-11-inches tall and was referred to as ‘two feet of thunder’. 

The Power of Grassroots Fundraising

May 15, 2024May 16, 2024

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In JDRF Canada.

It started 43 years ago, in 1981. I think I was 17 or 18 and I had a little crush on Jimmy Garfinkle’s brother David (brothers who live with type 1 diabetes and are members of JDRF’s Montreal-based founding families).  So when Jimmy asked me to do the Bike-a-Thon, one of the first JDRF fundraising events, I obliged. I took a few girlfriends with me, and we were all eager to help and support the type 1 diabetes T1D community.

Article by JDRF Canada

https://jdrf.ca/the-power-of-grassroots-fundraising/

Happy 10th Anniversary! Please Sit at Our Table

Feb 14, 2024Feb 18, 2024

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper, West Island News Blog.

In 2014, I submitted this article to The Suburban Newspaper, specifically to Anthony Bonaparte, the Features Editor, Web Editor and Editorial Cartoonist.  Luckily for me, he liked it.  I submitted a few more articles and again, he liked them.  These articles started my column, “Living in the Now”.   Hundreds of articles later, I’m thrilled to reach my 10th Anniversary with The Suburban and this fabulous team of excellent writers.

With love and thanks to The Suburban team and to all my wonderful readers, Sue xo

Memory Lane Surprises

Jan 8, 2024

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

Cleaning out my filing cabinet usually takes me a few days to do. In every file folder there are things I need and things I don’t.  But what slows down the process are the trips down many memory lanes.

Recipe of Life

Nov 23, 2023Nov 23, 2023

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

Truth be told, I don’t follow a recipe very well. Perhaps it’s my need to improvise all the time? Maybe it’s the methodical time involved in carefully following the steps? Maybe I just can’t “FOLD IN THE CHEESE?” Although, this week my son said, “Ma! You made a fantastic, the best ever Mac N’Cheese.” So, perhaps I do know how to “Fold in the Cheese?”

To Menou with Love – A Love Story

Dec 21, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

One day, I got off the summer day-camp bus and found a Tabby cat gingerly walking around my lawn. I signaled to it and it suddenly came to me.  I named her Menou.  Although my mother didn’t like cats and told me not to feed her, I did.

Each day, I would jump off the afternoon bus and quickly run to give her tuna, water and lots of cuddles. This went on for weeks during the summer of 1971. On a very hot day, I got off the bus and I couldn’t find Menou. Surprisingly, she was on a blanket at my front door.  My mother told me she was in labor and was about to give birth! My 9 year old life suddenly changed.

Coloured Cauliflower

Oct 6, 2022Oct 7, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

One of our yearly autumn outings is to find COLOURED CAULIFLOWER.

You might be wondering if we are looking for a specific vegetable. Nope! Are we looking for a flower? Nope! We are in search of a spectacular and particular display of fall foliage.

Many conditions need to be in place for this to happen. Firstly, the leaves need to be at the height of their foliage coloration. The sun must be shining brightly with hardly any fallen leaves on the ground. It might take a few road trips, but we are hoping to capture it.

The Licorice of Life

Sep 21, 2022Sep 24, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

Friendships are the ‘ebb and flow’ of daily life. Friendships also go through changes as people’s lives experience many adjustments along the way.  Bending that licorice of life and going with the flow is needed to sustain beautiful friendships and families.

Lessons from the Beach – 2022 – Roll with the Tide

Sep 7, 2022Sep 8, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

Last week I was given a fabulous opportunity to take Noonie to Ogunquit, Maine. She has been visiting OGT for 62 years. Noonie prides herself with telling people she was pregnant with me on the beach. Which makes me not quite 60 yet, but I’ve been to OGT for over 60 years.  Go figure.

It Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This

Jun 10, 2022Sep 16, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper, West Island News Blog.

The simple joys of life really hold the greatest value in your time. Give it a try. Go into the history books of your life and find the moments when you can say to yourself, “It doesn’t get much better than this”. What was it? Where was it? Who were you with? What made it so special that you can bottle it?

Empty Nester B.S.

Apr 29, 2022Sep 16, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

I declare, my nest is not empty! Actually, it’s just a different kind of nest of what it used to be. Now, I don’t have young children running around who constantly need tending to.

I paid my dues and did the hard work to raise those crazy kids. So, I’ve earned this P & Q Nest, (peace & quiet).

Empty? NO!

Quieter? YES 

I love you. Me? Yes, you!

Feb 10, 2022Sep 16, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In West Island News Blog.

A loving reminder…  Sometimes you don’t have to say, “I love you” to mean it full heartily.  Sometimes your actions will speak much louder than words.  I’m a firm believer of what a person actually “does” speaks volumes rather than the words a person speaks.

I’m Sorry & I Love You

Feb 1, 2022Sep 16, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

My parents usually called me “Suzie” or “Sue” or “Suz” in a playful kind of way. When I would hear my name screamed as “SUZANNE!!!” I knew the sh*t hit the fan and I would run for cover under my bed or hide in the corner of a very dark closet. Of course, once I was in a dark space, I had to go to the bathroom. This was an automatic response to my fear and sudden confinement. I’m kinda the same today.

Stay in Your Lane

Jan 18, 2022Sep 16, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

It’s so very important to surround yourself with brilliant, creative, funny, loving, wonderful friends. I am very lucky in that I have an AMAZING group of fabulous friends.  Recently, my incredibly smart entrepreneur friend Sally gave me a GIANT piece of advice.  She told me to “Stay in Your Lane”. That’s not all the great advice she has given me.

Lessons from the Canoe – Being 6 or 86

Jul 23, 2021Sep 16, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

With precision and careful adjustment, Noonie was comfortably seated in the stern (the back), her favourite seat in the boat. I gleefully sat in the bow (the front). All our equipment was near the center thwart close to the yoke. It’s critical to keep the boat balanced with the weight evenly front, center and back.
Dipping our personalized paddles into the perfect lake water, we set off to a private little camping beach site to eat our picnic lunch.

Everyone Needs an Ellen

Mar 24, 2021Sep 16, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

You know the kind of friend I am talking about. The friend who listens with intent to everything you say. You know she’s not looking at her phone when you are talking to her. She’s simply listening to every word. The friend who doesn’t judge you in anyway. You can rant and rave, complain and curse and lose your mind completely screaming about everything. Still, this friend remains quiet and agrees regardless of their personal perspective. The neutral gear in your cog.

O’l Fashion or a Classic?

Mar 18, 2021Sep 16, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper, West Island News Blog.

After my face went flush, I came up with a better response to her announcement. I said, “I don’t want to be bound to a battery and dependent on electricity. I’m a visual person. I need to SEE my life on paper. I need to use my pen. I need to make a connection with my pen on paper. I need to LOVE, MY PAPER!”

All You Need is Love

Sep 1, 2020Sep 16, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

I…… #@F**K*N+^&! miss hugging my friends! I miss giving a two cheek kiss! You never know when you get lucky to touch a super soft yummy smelling cheek! This new social distance B#LLS**T doesn’t jive with my personality. I NEED CONTACT! Lot’s more contact. I need to feel the love.

Valiant Efforts, Valiant Love

Aug 25, 2020Sep 16, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

Mid-July set in with surrendering heat. More water please! Much more water, please!
Each day I looked for a hint of new growth…Nothing.
“Come on, you can do it! BREAK THROUGH THE BARK!”
All I needed was one new leaf or a little break in the bark to show some potential.
Still nothing…
Will this new soul infused tree make it? Will our family’s monument take hold and be our everlasting love? Was the purpose in waiting for this specific tree, planted on this specific day be a divine sign?
If so, SHOW ME A SIGN!!!