Living Life

 

"Better than a thousand days of diligent study, is one day with a great teacher"
Japanese proverb

Thank you for teaching me to live life to the fullest.

Helping Others - John Raposo

This video reminded me of my brother, who would stop to help people stuck in the snow every year.

Trick or Treat - John Raposo

A fitting costume for someone who was always able to make people laugh and smile. 

 Your laughter is missed.

 

Lots of love, John Raposo you are missed everyday!

You are always on my mind

The thought of you is never far from my mind. Constantly I see things that remind me of you.  

Love you, John Raposo

Happy Birthday John

Happy Birthday John

 

You are so greatly missed. 

Wish you were here to make the day brighter. 

 

John Raposo - June 18

A year ago today I received the news that you had been taken away.  Sadness overwhelmed and took over. An unbearable experience that no one should ever have to endure and one that will be with me for all my days. That day and the decisions others made forever changed EVERYTHING!

______________________

You were such a strong individual with a biggest heart who lived life to its fullest in every way.  You taught me many lessons including; the art of conversation, to make everyone whom I speak with feel important, to stop and help others always, and most of all to stand up for what is right and just even when no one else has the courage to speak up. You had all these qualities that made you so amazing and well loved.

I miss you, your smile, your energy and your love of life. 

Wishing you were here XOXO

 

 

JOHN RAPOSO - Father, Husband, Brother, Son

 

 

I could never have imagined how destructive people were until you were taken away from us. 

 

 Everyday I think of you.  Everyday you are loved.  Everyday you are missed.

Everyday your missed but your energy is here

 

JOHN RAPOSO

 

As everyday passes we are reminded of how much we miss you. 

 

Your energy and charismatic personality that always captivated the attention of everyone in a room is so greatly missed.  Today was such a special day and although you were not here physically you were here in spirt. We will continue to live on in our memories, and through our conversations of how you touched our hearts. Life will never be the same without you. 

 

John Raposo - Greatly Missed, Always Loved

                                               You are greatly missed.

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal".
                                                                                                                  ~From a headstone in Ireland


                                                                                                     

Helping Strangers - John Raposo

This weather we have been experiencing in Toronto has been a reminder to me of how wonderful my brother was as a person who helped others. Years ago when it actually snowed more than a couple of cm in the city my brother would make it a point to have towing ropes in his car. As an act of kindness he would pull the cars of people who were stuck in the snow. He did this for the simple words of "thank you" from a stranger.

The past few weeks with all the snow and icy conditions I couldn't help to think about all the strangers who were stuck on the roads and waiting for someone like my brother to stop and just take the time to help.

John Raposo was one of a kind. Its sadness me to think that he will never greet a stranger and help them so generously.

Your radiant energy is greatly missed.  

The picture was below was taken where you were laid to rest. As I stood there as the sun was setting, the sun rays suddenly broke through the trees and it was just like having you walk in a room and light it up with your smile. 

The Meaning of Christmas

The true meaning of Christmas is not the giving or receiving of gifts but the time spent with loved ones.  I can remember Christmas Eve being such a special time for us during our youth, going to midnight mass before coming home to feast on a meal together.  To  our later years when we would gather to wait for the hour of midnight to celebrate in cheer and be the first to say "Merry Christmas" to each other.  It saddens me so much this year that all I could do for you was place a wreath at the place where you took your last breath. It is so disheartening to think you are no longer with us here to share in all the joy and happiness the holiday season is supposed to bring.  For all the Christmas' in the future will not hold the same energy as when you were there to celebrate it with us.  You are greatly missed John.

Flowers for John Raposo

Because you loved flowers

 

John Raposo

There is not a day that goes by that you are not in our thoughts
and in our hearts - you are greatly missed. 

"Mourning is one of the most profound human experiences that it is possible to have... The deep capacity to weep for the loss of a loved one and to continue to treasure the memory of that loss is one of our noblest human traits".-- Shneidman (1980)

College Street, Toronto (Little Italy)

I miss you everyday

It’s been four months since you were taken away from us. Our hearts are heavy with grief and it seems that the pain will never subside.  Words could never describe how each and every day there are reminders of you in this world - you are missed - your smile, your love and your presence.

My Brothers Hands

As my brother and friend you always took care of me and had the wonderful ability to fix anything. I remember when we were in our 20's and at still living at home and I called out to you as a vein in my finger had burst - I was in pain and had no idea what was happening.  You quickly took my hand into yours and massaged my finger outwards, telling me "always do this away from you heart and not towards it" - you didnt stop until I felt better.  Your ability to fix physical objects was more than a talent as when you used your hands to do anything you had the heart to go with it. - I miss you

Just thinking of you

Everyday I think of you, everyday I miss you John.

Photo taken at College Street Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe, Toronto  

John Raposo - Loved flowers

John Raposo loved flowers in life and so when he was taken away from us I showered him with flowers at his funeral, grave site and on College Street to mourn the loss of his life. Thousands of flowers later and all I wish is that he were here he were here to enjoy them.  - I miss you lots John 

John Raposo, a tribute on College Street

Happy Birthday John Raposo

I love you always John Raposo - On July 27 2012 I placed flowers on Montrose and College Street in Toronto, in front of Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe 712 College Street - where my brother took last breath as he was murdered on June 18 2012 - just short of his 36th birthday. He often drank coffee on the patios on College Street, where he would talk, and enjoy the company of friends, acquaintances and strangers - his positive energy, love for life and smile is greatly missed by everyone.

To My Brother John Raposo - Happy Birthday

I was fortunate to be born on my brothers birthday July 27.  He was 2 years old when I arrived and I am certain he never expected such a present.  As children we celebrated our birthdays together and well into our twenties we would have cake with family and celebrate together - sometimes ending up at the same social party.  Every year my brother would say "you were the only gift I ever got that I couldn't return".  

John Raposo - He Could Fix Anything With His Hands

Memories of my brother come to me at the most unexpected moments.   Miles away from Toronto as I walk by a building I notice a BMX bike lying in the grass.  It’s not any different than the one my brother use to have in his early teens.  My brother had spent days stripping the bike down removing every nut and bolt so he could spray paint the frame red and handle bars black.  I loved watching my brother work with his hands from an early age he always enjoyed taking things apart to improve on them.  This BMX bike was no different. He loved riding and stunting on this bike.  While the bike was moving he could stand on the seat with his arms spread apart, he could also spin the back end of the bike while the front wheel remained in place.  Eventually he added pegs onto the back wheel these pegs were used for a second passenger.  I was lucky to have a brother who taught me how to work with my hands and use tools.  Most of all I enjoyed being on the back of his bicycle with my feet on the pegs and my hands on his shoulders as he took me for a ride.