Tuesday, February 19, 2008

An earthly paradise

I have always imagined paradise as a kind of secret garden. I walk from my dream into a narrow shrubbery patch, barefooted; I can hear a small trickling stream faintly running along the bushes, towards the light at the end of the narrow path.

I continue on foot on this soft mossy thriving path; trees lightly rustling above my head, butterflies fluttering around me, as I move effortlessly, until all of a sudden the foliage opens up, and in front of me appears the most enchanting place I have ever seen. This sweet purity leaves me breathless.

No, I’ve never been to paradise, at least not yet; but there is an enchanted paradise here on earth, where I can always find peace and love. Every time I visit this paradise, I am surrounded by amazing grace.... warmth pulls my spirit upward, lifting my heart to the brightest cloud.

This paradise is not as lush, or as beautiful as the one in my dreams, in fact, there is not even a single fruit tree; only potted foliage, and few flowered bushes, but the sweetest fragrance fills the air; the fragrance of love, grace, and tolerance.


Peacefulness comes down to me whenever I visit this paradise. There is a sense of reverence, calm, and acceptance, I feel a kind of presence, a feeling of benevolence almost conscious.... like if God is there; like real paradise. It evokes that.


A beautiful angel lives here; she asks no questions, believe in all the best; never doubting, ever trusting, withstanding any test.


In this paradise the flowers of the heart overflow in abundance, the sweet scent of love, acceptance and affection fills the silent serene air, compassionately, mingling with the gentle perfume of the potted caladiums and impatiens. This is not paradise; it’s just a mere garden, a simple garden...

A treasure to be cherished, a gift from God above; is the beauty of this paradise, touched by unconditional love.

A space covered in bougainvilleas and love, where the breezes carry the aromas of all good things. Never overpowering, never judgmental.


This earthly paradise is my mother's garden. And this is a tribute to her, on her birthday, a tribute to her goodness and wisdom, and to the unconditional love she has given me all my life.


To you, mom!

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;

When troubles come and my heart burdened be;

Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,

Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up... to more than I can be




Thursday, February 7, 2008

Happy Birthday, Cindy

Once upon a time, there was a little girl, the prettiest that had ever been seen, with big brown eyes and a cascade of bouncing dark ringlets. Her mother doted on her. Her grandmother was even fonder...




She used to climb up on a chair to her newborn brother's crib, she only meant to kiss him good night, but instead decided to toss her little pink shoes at him..... Wake up wake up little brother come play with me!




She liked to open the cupboard doors to see all the pretty things inside, the neatly stacked bowls, the candlestick holders, the big round tin that was always full of sugar cookies. 


At night, she used to pray, “please Jesu' send me an angel to watch me when I sleep! I know he'd be invisible, but it would help a heap! I'm not a scared cat, afraid to close my eyes! I'm just a little girl who reads my Bible every day".... 

She has singing abilities, she sings "The Star Spangled Banner" at parties and ball games, the first time she grabbed a microphone she was only three, she sang in church--special music on Saturday morn'.


Then one day her mother, who had just made and baked some cakes, looked at her and say: Oh me, oh my, oh you, who's this beautiful young woman in front of me? Those lips, those eyes of brown, is it you or is it me? Tell the mother from the daughter!

You're so precious to me you’re so sweet; you simply lift me off my feet…. Oh me, oh my, oh you!
Dear Cindy: You are an achiever. You look at the stars, see them high, well above your reach; nevertheless you reach high, and work hard for those things that I dreamt about at your age, but never had the courage to do, or try. And I admire you for that.


I admire you sense of responsibility, and your courage to speak up your mind in any circumstance, I admire you for the instances when you’ve refused to plaster on a mask and pretended to feel something you are not, and for all the times you slipped backward, but refused to stay there.


You are a go-getter, a hard worker and self-started who never gives up, and I admire you for that, and for so much more. You are amazing…. My amazing little girl (you’ll always be my little girl), you are talented, smart, funny, beautiful, oh, so beautiful, and I love you dearly.

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