Pieces to My Puzzle

Walk

Fun & Laughs

If you have to think about the last time you had fun,

or the last time you laughed so hard your side ached,

IT'S BEEN TOO LONG.

Thankful

It's a day late, but it's important for me to give thanks

For the smile on her face

For her health

For her undying love and devotion to us.

Gracias.

Potato Soup for the Soul

you know those visits where everything is fun, easy and peaceful?

well, that's how it is with her.

i always look forward to our time together because our talks are comfort food for my soul.

our visits have become a comfortable routine.

i walk through her front door,

put down my purse and keys,

and make my way to her kitchen--that's where she waits for me.

she greets me with her familiar "Hola, Prima"

and her loving arms that wrap around me in a big hug

that always warms my heart.

and, because she knows me so well,

a delicious cup of tea waits for me.

i take my place at her diningroom table,

sipping my tea,

and watching in awe as she dances around her kitchen

creating delicious meals and baked goodies for the people in her life.

i'm often complimented on my role as a step-mother

and, in my heart, i always share the compliment with her

because, you see, she is the one that has taught me what I know about parenting.

i admire that her greatest concern has always been her children.

she's an incredible mother and because of her, her kids have learned

how to make healthy choices and

to own their actions.

she has encouraged them to have a voice

but reminds them to be respectful when speaking up.

she has taught them about change while

reminding them that the one consistent thing--the one thing

they can always count on--

is her steady and deep love for them.

today, i know there is no better gift you could give a child.

and, because it's the season to give thanks, i hope that this simple thank you is enough

thank you for never tiring of letting me vent

thank you for all the valuable life lessons you have shared with me

thank you for your honesty

thank you for guarding my secrets

thank you for your cozy home that you so generously share

thank you for your loyalty

thank you for giving me so much to think about

thank you for always making me feel safe

thank you for all you teach me--

especially the latest recipe of comfort food-- Sopa de Papa.

Stereotypes

Somebody e-mailed me a joke this morning and it got me thinking about police officers.

I don't need a joke or an e-mail to get me thinking about them

because I do that on my own -- everyday.

But, today after reading the joke--

a joke, by the way, full of cop stereotypes--

it made me think of them.

Maybe I'm having a bad morning.

Maybe I took it too personally.

Maybe I'm too close.

Personally, the limited amount of first-hand experience I have had with police officers has been good.

That doesn't mean that my experience is everyone's experience.

Some can be assholes. I've even met a few.

But, overall, I've found law enforcement to be an under-paid, under-appreciated,

brave and noble profession.

I am married to an honest, kind, and decent man who happens to be a deputy sheriff, and

it hasn't been very long since I heard about the last cop's funeral so

forgive me if I don't share in your laughter over one more donut joke.

10

I love her because:

she makes me laugh,

she's kind,

she's always eager to help,

she doesn't give me attitude,

she's honest,

she shares my interest in photography,

she doesn't hold grudges,

she's still innocent,

she's brave,

she loves to have fun,

she works hard,

she trusts me,

she's always willing to pose for me whenever i ask her to,

but mostly because she's starting to develop her own dreams and ideas.

Happy Double Digits!

I know how eager you were to get here.

Open Letter

Pieces

Descanso Gardens

The best part of my weekend: watching an awesome performance by Rodrigo y Gabriela at the Music Box Theatre.

The worst part of my weekend: isn't worth mentioning because it had a lot to do with the most stressful part of my weekend.

The funnest part of my weekend: experiencing the "nightlife" through April's eyes.

The most relaxing part of my weekend: getting an extra hour of sleep.

The most stressful part of my weekend: having to deal with Armando at a time when lots has to get done with very little time in which to do it.

The most loving part of my weekend: having my sister give up her weekend to help me out.

The most delicious part of my weekend: joining my Mom and aunts for a delicious Sunday meal cooked by my Aunt Irma.

Day of the Dead

Photo by R. Zepeda

It's been 1 year and 6 months, but it feels like it was just yesterday

That I go the call to tell me he was gone.

She struggled to find the right words

And when she finally found them

They brought with them the awful, awful silence.

The silence made me feel like my heart was going to explode.

I remember hanging up the phone

I struggled with not knowing what to do

Then again the awful silence

This time the silence brought with it desperation.

The desperation to hold something that once had his fingerprints

A letter

A card

A picture

Anything.

I remember not finding anything

I struggled with my tears and my aching heart

And, again the silence. That deafening eerie silence.

I remember surrendering to it

I sat in it

I let it surround me

I let it clear my head.

I remember that beautiful and sweet silence

It let me be

It calmed my heart

It dried my tears

But more importantly

It gave me strength

The strength to go forward.

Yes, my heart still aches for him

But, I trust that he's in a place of complete beauty, peace and freedom.

Yes, I wish we had more time to spend together

But, I'm glad & grateful for the time we had.

Maybe next time.

Moving Together

I didn't expect the recent movement in our lives to bring

so many great lessons.

I've learned that I am forever safe in his arms.

I've learned that he has unbelievable devotion.

I've learned that he is fiercely committed to our life together.

I've learned that he has unwavering loyalty.

I've learned that I will never again feel like I am by myself.

I've learned that his character and word are the two things I admire the most.

I've learned that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Here's to you Rockin' another year.

Happy Birthday, Babe.