Tag: family

Coffee Thought, Gratitude

Quarantine Invited Me To Write Again.

It has been a while since I wrote anything. I got caught in life stuff, burned out or just trying to figure out the best way to retire. It doesn’t really matter. All of the sudden life has changed for all of us and so, the priorities. We are back to the beginning. Just like that child on a school vacation day that used to enjoy the pigeons in the roof of the house and the birds serenades from the fruit trees in the back yard.

Every day was a beautiful day filled with the joy of playing with my sisters and brother. It was time for Hopscotch , Catch, Marble, Tug of War, Hide and Go Seek, Tag, Jumping the Rope, Tic-Tac-Toe. It was all at once! Never tired.

The afternoons were kind of romantics. We used to sing together as duo, trio, quartet, quintet, or more. There was always room for more singers. Some of my siblings had a great voice and I can see them singing with the sentiment of an adult. How romantic the afternoons were for those little kids.

woman in black tank top lying on bed beside other girls
Photo by Retha Ferguson on Pexels.com

We used to have meals together and to do our homework around the dinner table. Life was simple. We used to watch TV with our neighbors, to walk around the block. Boy,we were happy kids! We could do anything, really, anything to have that close contact with our friends, family and parents. We were also mischievous and got in trouble numerous times. We also have no negotiable duties at home.

Today, Covid-19 brought us back to the beginnings: To relationships,to care for the ones at home, to enjoy togetherness, to call a friend, to care for a neighbor, to spend time sharing, fooling around, enjoying doing nothing, to play, to discover new talents and yes, to stick on the cellphone as well.

Life almost always change after a calamity. In fact, there are people whose illness led them to a successful career change. Covid-19 has the potential to change the entire humanity, to dig in the heart and to re-discover the goodness hidden we all enjoy when we put others first. That’s why thousands of selfless doctors, nurses, scientists and experts work hard to try to find a cure to this illness while risking their own lives. There are also other essential workers, volunteers and even children who are working trying to alleviate the pain and sacrifice the healers and the ill’s families endure. In the end, there is not difference. We need each other as people with soul and heart. Goodness has no distinction.

pexels-photo-2324837
Photo by Павел Сорокин on Pexels.com

The lesson was taught. We can’t fail it again. We must pray for each other. We must seek forgiveness and always have a grateful heart; but overall, we must go back to God. He will give us the strength we need in the mist of the pain, sorrow and frustration. Our eyes are tired of mourning friends and people we don’t even know but we feel so close to us. Our hearts wept…

Fear no. God is with us through this valley of the shadow of death.

Keep the faith.

black cross on top of mountain
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Pexels.com
Coffee Thought, Parenting

It’s Not How We Start, It’s How We End

Life can be very similar to this bonsai. Tangled, confused, with twists and turns; but in the end everything was necessary for the pretty foliage that adorns it.

Grow a bonsai is a complete art that has been practiced in Asia for many centuries. They come from the same full size seed, but in small containers and carefully trimmed and trained to have a unique beautiful and elegant bonsai. Just like life; parents bring into the world a baby. The happiness of holding that baby brings the vision of the future adult we want him to become. Parents then start feeding the baby with the best food they have in store. Parents want the baby to grow a strong man, so they expose him to the sun, to the water and the mud.. They play with him, they also teach and correct him in love in hope that he becomes their dreamed adult. In other words, they trim and train him. In the end, after all the twists and entangles comes the joy of a child we are proud of.

We can also compared it with our mistakes, sins, sorrows and failures; but if we persevere, the end could be a beautiful bonsai.

Coffee Thought, Parenting

A Strong Family Has Strong Roots

What makes a great individual? A good one? A weak one? Strong Roots do.
I’m talking about character, success, compassion, acceptance, tolerance, faith, values and love.

A solid foundation in the family is passed from generation to generation. It’s reflected in the adult, the professional, the future parents and in the governments.

Just like a family is attached to Christ the root, children are attached to the parents, the trunk. It’s amazing to see that normally the strong trunk is one big unit just like parents in agreement. Then, they split. Each one doing their activities; perhaps, working. The branches are the children; some are strong and some are weaker but they all depend on their parents. Each branch is unique, they take different directions and shapes… and so, the children and the children’s children… just like a strong beautiful tree. Just like a strong harmonious family.

Coffee Thought, Parenting

She Is My Hero

“How my mother helped me to overcome bullies”

My mom was my hero all the way! Between the two of us there was a magic  connection. she was able to share her heart to me without fear. She was strong , just and wise.  She was love! My dad also had a great communication with me. I remember I used to read the Colombian newspaper  every day to talk to him.  Our daily conversation were endless. I guess I can say that there was not one day of their lives my parents didn’t hear from me one way or the other.

My book is not a scientific book, nor should it be considered as the only way to prevent bullies.  The book is simply the experience of someone who underwent mockery from childhood  due to the physical appearance. I tell how family passes from generation to generation traditions,  behaviors and how families can get involved to help a child who is a bully or the one that is being bullied. No degree is necessary to raise a healthy family.  My parents came from two very different upbringings. My father was an abandoned child. My mother on the other hand, lost her mom at age 10 and by age 13 she was orphan, but surrounded by the love of her brothers and sisters. Their starting was not the best,  but they managed to raise a family of 8, with values, character and honesty.

Life is what we make of it. We either take courage to go on with dignity and decency or we let the circumstances take control of us. We choose what legacy  to leave behind.

I started writing this book back in 2010  after my dad passed away. It actually was hard for me to do it, so I put it aside. This month is the first year since my mom passed away and I decided to publish the book.

The book is available in Amazon. Continue reading “She Is My Hero” →

Politics

Thank you Dad and Mom

When I see so much disrespect towards woman or anyone, I give thanks to my Lord Jesus Christ for the parents I had. My parents taught us character, respect and moral values. We were taught to say Yes, Yes and No, NO!  We were taught early in life that values are not negotiable not even for the best job or money. Bully and values starts at home. This is a parent responsibility and it cannot be endorsed to the school, church, authority, government, caretaker or grandparents. Once old… it’s too late. It brings shame to the families and from there to the communities, nations and the world.

” A tree that grows crooked nobody can straighten it” My Dad.

Coffee Thought, Parenting, Politics

What The Heck Is Going On In The World? (My own opinion.)

Apart from the subject of politics, we have become a society of “instant satisfaction.” It’s OK to be fast, it’s great to have quick responses but to pretend changes in life must be instant, it’s problematic.  Today we accept sabotage, we oppose to anything and everything in most cases just to call attention, to let someone or the world know “I’m here, I matter, and I’m powerful.” Here are some facts. Continue reading “What The Heck Is Going On In The World? (My own opinion.)” →