Emotional Milestone: My 48th Birthday and Father’s Legacy

I am turning 48 tomorrow, the same age my father was when he passed away, and this realization brings up a wave of emotion within me. It fills my heart with both reflection and gratitude, constantly reminding me of how young he was when he left this world. He had so much potential, yet his time was so fleeting, leaving behind a legacy of love and strength that continues to resonate within our family. As I think about the hardships he faced, I can’t help but wonder how anyone could expect to live longer than he did, given the immense challenges life presented to him. I often feel a profound longing to connect with him, to let him know that I’m doing my best; I truly hope he’s watching over my mom, my brother, and me. I want him to take pride in both me and my brother as we navigate life without him, carrying forward the values and lessons he instilled in us. My heart aches with the wish that I could hear him assure me that everything will be alright, that there’s no need to worry or second-guess my choices. The comforting thought that we will meet again in another universe, sharing laughter and stories once more, brings me solace. It’s truly surreal to be the same age he was at his passing, and I often find myself pondering what he might have accomplished or how our lives would have been had he been here with us. I love and miss you, daddy, forever and ever….happy birthday to me.

Christmas Reflections: Count Your Blessings

Another year is coming to an end, and I am looking back, as I am sure many of us do. Sitting here, in a cozy café drinking hot chocolate and having a tasty piece of cake, I can’t help but feel extremely thankful for everything that I have. Mind you, having something is not limited to material things – and I am fully aware that counting blessings is something we all forget to do more often than not, due to the hectic way of life that is imposed on us whether we like it or not. But today, on this Christmas Day, I realize more clearly than ever that I have so much to be grateful for. My life has been painful on many occasions, in many ways. But I think I am not unique in that way, really, as I am yet to meet a person who hasn’t known pain in any shape or form throughout their lifetime. Still, I want to say loud and clear that what gets me through this journey we call life is my amazing family – my husband, my mom, my siblings, cousins, aunts… even if we don’t always agree on everything! Plus, my dear friends (even if I don’t see them as often as I’d like), my two dogs (the adorable little troublemakers), a job I absolutely love (with awesome coworkers from around the globe), and that cheerful mindset I believe we all need to nurture every single day. Now, with the risk of sounding like a Miss Universe contestant, I do wholeheartedly wish for world peace. Considering the current trajectory of our world, my wish may indeed stretch beyond the limits of a Christmas miracle. Yet, there’s always room for hope!

~~ Merry Christmas, everyone! ~~

Remembering My Father: 36 Years Later

Today marks the 36th anniversary of my father’s passing. A lifetime has passed, yet not a day goes by without my thoughts turning to him. It still feels like yesterday, but I’ve known for a long time that this kind of pain never truly fades. It has left an eternal mark on my soul, my essence, my life. My childhood came to an end on the day he died. Whenever he crosses my mind, the devastated child within me starts shedding endless tears. The pain is so raw, I can almost reach out and touch it. I often find myself wondering if he would be proud of my brother and me… proud of the people we’ve become, of our accomplishments, proud of his children who have done their best with the hand life dealt them. The memories we shared, the lessons he taught us, and the love he gave will always remain a guiding force in our lives. His absence is a constant reminder of the impact he had, not just on us, but on everyone who was fortunate enough to have known him. We hold onto the moments of joy and laughter, treasuring them as precious gifts that continue to bring warmth to our hearts. As time moves forward, his spirit lives on through the love, kindness, and resilience he instilled in us. He will forever be a part of us, shaping our choices, influencing our perspectives, and inspiring us to live our lives with the same grace and compassion that he embodied. We miss you so much, daddy. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten.

The Art of Doing Nothing: A Visual Diary

Weekends are my sacred time for perfecting the fine art of doing absolutely nothing, and let’s be real, I’ve pretty much become a total pro. I’m fully aware that selfies are so last season, and blogging is, like, ancient history, but honestly, I couldn’t care less. If I feel like snapping a pic of myself, well, so be it! I may not be breaking the internet with my poses, but hey, I’m not here to follow trends. It’s like a visual diary of my chill moments, a way to freeze a fleeting instant of calm in the chaos of everyday life. So, here’s to capturing the beauty of doing nothing and cherishing the small, blissful moments.

Take that, heartworm!

I’ve always had a deep love for animals, and if you feel the same way, this story will surely resonate with you. Last December, our beloved 11-year-old wirehaired dachshund, Djole, was diagnosed with heartworm. For those who may not be familiar, it’s a dreadful parasite that takes hold in a dog’s heart and can cause significant harm, or even prove fatal if not addressed promptly or if treatment is delayed. Needless to say, we were completely devastated by the news. We went into a six-month battle, and even after somehow making it through the first round (out of five) of Ivermectin shots, we didn’t know if he’d survive the whole treatment. It was a rough ride, but we put all our love and energy into his recovery, and despite bracing ourselves for the worst, we never lost our hope. Giving up on our beloved dog, whom we adore beyond words, was never an option. Today, I am thrilled to share with you that Djole is finally heartworm free! Our little hero is living his best life again and we cannot be more happy for him! Being the most wonderful dog in the whole wide world, I’m sure he will forgive me for waking him up (as he’s resting in a shade on this hot summer day) just to take this picture.

A Tale of Rescue and Hope

I stumbled upon a tiny baby lizard in my garden sink today. It was so small and fragile, breathing rapidly as it desperately sought a way out. Seeing it bask in the sun after I rescued it filled me with joy. This experience made me wonder – don’t we all go through such moments sometimes…feeling trapped, scared, and disoriented? We long for a helping hand to guide us to safety. Sometimes the assistance comes quickly, and other times it takes a while. The important thing is to remember that salvation will eventually find us, in countless forms and disguises.

Embracing My Comeback

With summer just around the corner, it feels like the perfect time to take a gander at the first half of the year. Let’s just say a whole lot of stuff has gone down (the good, the bad, the hilarious, and the downright ridiculous things that one can (or cannot) control). I’ve been MIA from the social networks for quite a while, and I can’t say I missed them. But hey, I have decided to stage a “comeback” and embrace my online presence as just another facet of who we are in this day and age.

I’ve also miraculously succeeded in unintentionally “hibernating” my passion for photography, but fret not! It’s gearing up to emerge from the depths, like a confused phoenix! So here’s to all of us who adore life, pursue our outlandish dreams, and endeavor to leave our mark, regardless of the number of coffee spills and keyboard typos along the way!