Joy In The Journey

  My Nonna.   She has been on my heart a lot lately. And this picture captures the essence of her beautiful always smiling face, the love that always beamed from her eyes, the peace and joy that filled every encounter with her. My Nonna Rosina always wore a babushka on her head and was always fingering her rosaries in her apron pocket. There are so many memories growing up with my grandparents right next door. The delicious cookies and 7 UP she would bring out when we were playing outside, cooking and baking with her, she loved sweet potatoes and potatoes in general and often added cinnamon to her chicken and steak while cooking. Nonna kept a stash of 7 UP under her bed to the chagrin of my grandfather and the inside door to her little walk in closet was plastered with Holy Cards, her dresser had framed pictures of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus that are now in my bible and the couch in her living room was covered in plastic. She kept her little stash

  “For thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise thee, for thou art fearful and wonderful. Wonderful are thy works! Thou knowest me right well; my frame was not hidden from thee, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth” Psalm 139: 13 - 15 Grief and loss never go away, no matter the years, gratefully love and gratitude for the blessings always remain How is it that 24 years can feel like the blink of an eye! 24 years ago today I sat by my mom's side, holding her hand stroking her brow and telling her how very much I loved her as she was drifting into the last few hours of her life. The next morning, still by her side we said our last goodbye on this side of heaven. I knew at the time that I had been given so many gifts: The gift of a mother who to me was beyond compare and the strongest most amazing women of love, faith, courage, fortitude, perseverance and grace that I have ever known

Hard to believe this was 10 years ago, where does the time go.... I was in awe and drenched from the mist!! The roar of the water and gushing of the falls was deafening and the spray of the mist was so powerful it came down in a constant turret!! Truly one of the most awe inspiring and majestic experiences I have every witnessed!! There were many areas along the catwalk to stop and take in the beauty of the falls. It was pure grace that I found myself alone at the edge of one of the platforms nearest the falls, head, face, heart and hands lifted in awe and praise to God for the majesty of His Wonder as the mist gushed down over me. A most powerful experience!! I didn't want to leave but everyone was already up at least two tiers away and so I had to force myself to leave.....for me it was the best part of the Cave of the Winds!!! Niagara Falls is awe inspiring and amazing and it was a blessed family trip. And a big note to self for next trip to Niagara, bring a waterproof camera

I came across this picture and this article  in the Corpus Christi Caller Times doing a Throwback Thursday about my  sister Irma and her husband, my brother-in-love Len amusement park called Magic Isles that was written in October 2017. And it got me thinking about people that I love and the lessons in life and in business that I have learned from their example. Since I was 7 or 8 years old I have grown up knowing Irma and Len's love story and being a firsthand witness to their powerful example of love, fidelity, dedication to family and community, hard work, generosity and wisdom individually and as a couple.   And their love story is an ongoing tribute to love and legacy as they celebrated 52 years of marriage this August, their unity in all things and Leonard's trail blazing, innovative and intuitive spirit that has not only made him a successful businessman and entrepreneur but his influence that has been passed down to his children providing a beautiful legacy for them, th

“Mercy and truth have met each other: justice and peace have kissed. Truth is sprung out of the earth: and justice hath looked down from heaven. For the Lord will give goodness; and our earth shall yield her fruit. Justice shall walk before him: and shall set his steps in the way.” Psalm 84: 11-14  When my parents moved to Texas one of the first things they did was cultivate the soil in the backyard for a beautiful and bountiful garden. They planted fruit trees throughout the yard and grape vines over a beautiful arbor.  When my parents lived in Massachusetts they did not plant fig, apricot or olive trees because of the harsher climate. However in Texas with the warmer climate my father was so pleased to plant and grow figs which are a family favorite. And not long after the move to Texas my dad also planted an olive tree which reminded him of Italy.  He took tender care of the olive tree and his gardens. My mom would often send care packages with all kinds of goodies from home. And

  San Gabriele - Our Lady of Sorrows I have known about you and loved you since I was a little girl.  I got to know San Gabriel I guess you could say from the day I was born, although it would be a few years before I could say his name and come to know him through my mothers devotion to him. And it would be a few years more till I developed my own friendship and devotion to this joyful and youthful Saint. I came to know San Gabriele of Our Lady of Sorrows through stories my mother would tell me about him, his miracles and his life. He is the patron saint of the Abruzzi region in Italy where she lived and grew up.   My mom   loved San Gabriel and often spoke of him.   She often would ask for his intersession with the Blessed Mother and Jesus. And she longed to return to visit his shrine that was built in the Gran Sasso mountains of Italy. I guess you could say my mother came to know him from birth as well through my Nonna Rosina who was devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the I