Cute Lil Ole Lady

This Friday marks my mother's 58th birthday. While those she loved and loved her will be celebrating it here on earth, she is partying on with the best of us. She was the glue that kept us all together. She was a phenomenon. It is now that I feel I need her most. From time to time, I can remember her dichos. Her most memorable, "mi'ja, a nadie le vas a dolor mas como me dueles a mi." She was right.

I tried looking for her in many people and failed to find her. Nevertheless, I have become content with seeing her through glimpses here and there. Her love expands itself in the mothers I work with everyday. There is no sacrifice too small for their children.

I often say that my siblings and I were raised by three different sets of parents. Being the first born held the benefit of being taught discipline, responsibility and purpose early in life. I always had a plan in mind, meticulously working to make it happen. As painful as it was, I am ever so thankful for being granted the mother I had early in my life. I cannot imagine being raised by someone not like her.

Que Dios me la siga bendiciendo!

Sex

I have been privy to many (too many really) conversations on sex. It is something I do not quite understand and completely put off by it by the end of the conversation. To some, it is a means to an end. It is power. I hang my head in such disgust.

For me, sex is the ultimate form of communication with someone whom I deeply love - no manipulation involved or needed. The ultimate form of acceptance. Unfortunately, these ideas are not universal. With that in mind ...

I have opted to not have sex for Lent. Pipe down! It is not like I was actively involved with someone. I just think back to those conversations and folks who have shared their experiences with me. I want to keep my ideals. Perhaps there will be a day in which I find myself in the company of others who share in those ideals - hopefully, in the company of my one and only.

... not too much to ask for, right? You would be surprised.

The Girl from Ipanema

There was a girl who didn't receive much love growing up. She excelled in school largely due to her teachers. Their praise meant everything to her. Still she was withdrawn from everyone else. She was fortunate to meet many people she would have liked to have called her friends but none were allowed to break through her walls - one teasingly yet lovingly called her the Girl from Ipanema. Through a series of fortunate events, she meets someone very special who helps her break through those walls. He is very patient, kind and loves her very much. His love has saved her and continues to do so.

I am that girl. That special someone is Mr. Guiseppe (aka Joe). For all of life's twists and turns, I am fortunate in so many ways. Someone noticed I was so much pain and all they did was give me unconditional love. My life is not the same for it. I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together. Anyway ... below are the lyrics to "Girl from Ipanema". Enjoy!

Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah

When she walks, she’s like a samba
That swings so cool and sways so gentle
That when she passes, each one she passes goes - ooh

(ooh) but I watch her so sadly
How can I tell her I love her
Yes I would give my heart gladly
But each day, when she walks to the sea
She looks straight ahead, not at me

Tall, (and) tan, (and) young, (and) lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, I smile - but she doesn’t see (doesn’t see)
(she just doesn’t see, she never sees me...)