Girl Gets First Manicure

She asked for pictures on her nails.
Fortunately, our nail lady's first language
isn't English.

Yes yes, sigh,  look how cute.

Blast to Graduation 2013

My oldest child, Mark.

My friend, Ana, who stood with me through
the darkest period in my life. 

Mark, Jacob, Holly..Children my greatest achievements.

My in-laws, Priscilla and Jacob, the best Oma and Opa.

Sea of graduates.  Only 17 in my graduate class but 425 undergrads.
Each called up by name.

First on stage.

Hooding ceremony.

My dear Monir. A loyal heart of gold. 

Girlfriends for ever. 

No one graduates alone

As I walk across the arena stage tonight,
my thoughts will turn to my family and
friends.  Each has encouraged and supported me
in this journey.

It's been a long road with a bittersweet end. 
It's the first time my mother
and brother won't be in attendance for one of
my major life events.


Last night I received a congratulatory card from Birte.
B and her late husband, Fred, helped
me complete the application and letter
of intent for graduate school.  I bawled
like a baby, I was so touched by her
gesture.

When I walk across the stage, I will
carry each of my dear ones with me.

Thank you to my extraordinary husband,
to my brilliant children, to my parents,
siblings, and extend family of friends.

May the Lord bless and keep you my beloved.  



P.S. Happy Birthday to my brother, Ilidio. 
   

My light is Jesus

Matthew 5:16

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, 
that they may see your good works, 
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Amen

Summer of '76

 
Last night I had a bit of a pity party.  
Feeling fat and witchy poo like.
All it took was trying on a new dress.
Being hunched over makes buying
suitable clothes difficult. 
  
Most of the time, I walk around 
with a fantasy dancing in my head. 
The fantasy is of my able body of years
ago.  Occasionally the current reality 
crushes my spirit but never for long.

Rooted in Childhood

My Mother Day's blessings included childhood friends,
extended family and shared memories.

Celebrating Aileen's mom's birthday.
It is so joyful to have shared a lifetime with Aileen.

Yes, it's a chicken head.

We have been friends since Miss Newman's 1st grade class.  
Aileen was our maid of honor.

Happy 75th Birthday Mary

Mary with her 3 day old great-grand, Amelia Kathleen

Holly, Aileen, me, Joe, Francesca, Skippy

Everything Grows in my Mother's Garden

Happy Mother's Day

Dulce, me, Jacob, VoVo

Jacob, VoVo, Holly

My mother and sisters instilled the love
of wire, glitter and dirt.
Wire represents the fencing of our menagerie
of animals. Dirt represents my mother's love
of gardening.
Glitter represents, my oldest sister's, Mericia, love of domestic arts.
Number two sister, Dulce, loved and cared for
our animals and plants.
She allowed me to gather chicken egg and plant seeds.

My recollection of Mericia is in vibrant color tempered
with faithful grace.  Dulce is quiet, her presence is calming,
stable and rooted. 

Springy Spring

Jacob and I each painted a little chair
before Holly was born.

Monkey bars for Rose.