Gratitude

Benise On My Mind

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read653 views

Here we are, the night before the first day of school. It’s almost hard to believe that the holidays are over and that my Son will be back to school again in just a few hours. He is excited and I am happy for him. We had a blast visiting places and doing the things we enjoy the most over the past few weeks without worrying about perfections and deadlines. Yesterday I asked my kids what they would like to do today and they said they wanted to go running around in the backyard. What about movies? I asked. “Well, maybe we could see Turbo,” my Son replied.

This morning we went to the movies and watched Turbo. We treasure movies on demand, though once in a while we enjoy going to the movies when it’s less crowded as it was the case today. We spent some time at the Park before returning home and allowing them to run around in the backyard.

I listened to Benise all afternoon. I love his Music and find it soothing. Nights Of Fire! does the trick all the time.

Benise, Nights Of Fire!
Benise, Nights Of Fire!.

The house is quiet. We said our prayers a couple of hours ago and the kids are sound asleep.

To My Son (My Silent Strength)

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read1.3K views

“You have filled my heart with great joy. It is greater than the joy of people who have lots of grain and fresh wine.” ― Psalm 4:7 (NIRV)

I woke up feeling thankful this morning. Perhaps it had something to do with the sun streaming through the windows or the sweet sound of my Son’s voice echoing through the house. He turned 6 today and remembered we promised to take him to a fun place. It’s amazing how one simple action can change so much …

He is the complete opposite of his Sister: he is calm while she is feisty and together they form the perfect and inseparable pair. He is the one who literally kept me safe and sane while I was pregnant with his Sister. I remember and I will cherish those moments forever. He is handsome, respectful, mindful, smart, determined, a storyteller and an artist. He loves Muscle Cars (which he collects) and has been drawing since the age of two and a half.

My Son and Silent Strength.

Being a Mother has affected everything in my life. It has made me more productive, a better achiever, a better wife (mother, daughter, sister, friend, neighbor, a better somebody) as well as a happier and positive person. I thank God everyday for giving me such a generous and ever so sweet Child.

“Learning who our children are and shaping who they will become is one of the most rewarding and ultimate pleasures of parenting.” Joan Ambu

I’m so grateful to you, my Child, for everything you add into my life. I cannot imagine life without you. You have taught me so much with your innocence and generosity. I’ve been blessed in so many ways because of you. I hope you grow up to become a positive force in the Universe. You are my little boy who isn’t so little anymore. May your star shines forever as we do our best to raise you in a safe and loving home.

God bless you on your special day.

We Love You Tremendously,
Mom, Dad & Sister ♥

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ― Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

I Remembered

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read675 views

“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” ― A.A. Milne

We had a beautiful weather this weekend in the High Desert. It was mostly cloudy with some cool breeze and a few rain drops starting Saturday afternoon and a little more around 2:00 AM Sunday morning. Just lovely and perfect to spend the entire day outdoors relaxing and finishing up projects.

Today, I was blessed to reconnect with yet another awesome Friend; a Sister at heart and my voice of reason back when the pain was too much to bear.  She always made me promise to remember how great Life once was; promise to smile after the tears dried; promise to shake things off; Promise you will not do something stupid. “Promise me, Joan, promise me.” Those uplifting words still echo in my mind. At the time I was so deep into my grief that I couldn’t see the Support Team I was given and the circle I found myself into prior to that bitter day.

Image Credit: Willow Tree.com
Image Credit: Willow Tree.com

I quietly listened to everything she said to me and I remembered. After a good thirty minutes of updates and expressing our gratitude to one another, we laughed a lot. An hour well spent reconnecting. A definite throwback for both of us. Until next time, I am holding on to good memories.

To you, Evelyne, from the bottom of my heart: Thank You.

My Grateful Heart

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read665 views

The days of the week have gone by slowly, allowing me to start and finish some little projects.
Yesterday was a joyful and heartfelt day for me. After talking to my Dad, I happened upon an old friend’s number. Had seven years really gone by since I last spoke to this awesome being? I asked myself.  Sure, we kept in touch through emails. How could seven years go by without verbal exchanges? I had no time for my mind to wonder. I was thrilled to talk to one of the amazing individuals who stood tough with me during my times of need.

"Kindness is the catalyst that fuels our drive for Love and Compassion." — Joan Ambu
Kindness, Love and Compassion.

I met Blanche in High School and she instantly became my best friend. She was always in my face and my business. She was my eyes when I couldn’t see clearly, my voice when I couldn’t speak and she had my back. We celebrated our birthdays together as hers is a day prior to mine. We had so much love, admiration and respect for one another and I thank God every single day for placing her on my path through life because she helped me remember how sweet Life was and how joyful I was prior to loosing my sister. She stood by me and walked me through the other side of grief. We were birds of a feather, and naturally, we flocked together.

As I dialed her number and patiently waited for the connection to be established,  my heart leapt with joy when I heard a familiar voice on the other end. As soon as she heard my voice she said: Please tell me it’s you Joan, I’ve prayed for this moment.Yes, it is I, I jokingly replied. We laughed and picked up right where we’d left off as if time and space never existed. We spent over an hour catching up on each other’s life and in the end, we made the promise to talk to each other at least once a month.

“True friends are the ones who never leave your heart, even if they leave your life for a while. Even after years apart, you pick up with them right where you left off, and even if they die, they’re never dead in your heart.” ― Unknown

I haven’t forgotten those who comforted me and genuinely cheered my successes and happiness.

Fun Afternoon at Huntington Beach

EPEngineer By EPEngineer2 min read703 views

“The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Cousteau

After weeks of planning and postponing, my wife finally made arrangements with our friend Evelyne, to meetup at her place in Buena Park, CA and then spend the rest of the day at the Beach. After much anticipation and a good weather, we decided to drive down since we figured there would be less people after the holiday. On our way there we spotted so much traffic left and right that I was afraid the days activity would not happen.

After spending about an hour at our friend’s apartment catching up on events and waiting for the arrival of a friend of hers, we then made our way to Huntington State Beach. It took us about twenty minutes to get there. After what seemed like an hour waiting in line to get in, we finally made it. It was packed, yet roomy since people where keeping to their activities and not running around as much. We found a location and set up. To our amazement, the weather was surprisingly warm and we didn’t have to cover up until much later.

Huntington State Beach Sign.
Huntington State Beach Sign.
Father and Children on the Beach.
Exploring with my Kids.

We had brought shorts and shirts to get in but when we got out of the car we felt the fresh cool air and decided to go as we where (less chances of getting sick). I had an awesome time with my kids. We fought and ran away from waves, found some shells and even got to catch some Sand Crabs on a foam cup. After having some fun watching them bury themselves on the little dirt inside the cut, we released them so they would not die. The Seagulls where very interested on our activity since they figured an easy dinner was to come.

Seagulls on the Beach.
Seagulls on the Beach.
Lone Sailboat.
Lone Sailboat.

It was a nice cloudy day and the breeze was inviting up to the point where it started to get cold. I had almost forgotten the feeling with all the heat we are having at home. We said our goodbyes to friends who came with us and left our sand castles behind for the birds to take over. The journey back home was as scenic as the drive away from it was. Being here for the day reminded us of the many times we have made the same drive and how it’s never the same each and every time. I am looking forward to the next time we find ourselves there again.