Leapster

As in "leap of faith", leap-frog, leap year... incremental motion forward. The end of the second month of the year draws near and already here for some parts of the globe. February 29, 2012 is a leap day and part of the leap year which occurs every four years. Something about an extra day being added to one day of February, to match-up the solar year consisting of 365¼ days and the calender year holding 365 days. A leap year has 366 days in it. It's all so sorted and fascinating.

http://brunodelaroza.com/

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Just a little shumn-shumn in the way of acknowledging the recent Valentine's Day. I think about grade school when we were allowed to distribute those silly cards, put them on class mates desks and hope we were on the receiving end of really good one's ourselves. Even the teachers and boy's participated, it was simple stuff and makes for a nice little memory, recalling to mind the time of year when there is a little extra something in the air... love,  kindness, thoughtfulness. We would make sure, we either made a Valentine or paid for one or two to present to mom... it was always well received with loving exuberance and the utmost appreciation.

FYI: No time nor space removes you from our hearts and souls.

 http://brunodelaroza.com/

Dog Gone Good Dog's

Here is ½ of a minute or so, worth of impressive malarkey

featuring a group of camping loving K-9s.  

http://brunodelaroza.com/

Sunday's (circa 1960s)

On Sunday's after church mom fixed a big Sunday meal, fried chicken, meatloaf or pork chops with all the fixins, the newspaper would be passed around and we liked the comics especially if someone would explain what exactly was going on in each frame. When Mom could and there was something we wanted to see, she would give us enough money for the movies, snack & made sure we had a ride to and from the Kimo, State, Sunshine or Highland Theater. It was always a treat and so much fun for us while mom no doubt appreciated a little time to herself.

Sunday evening television meant Voyage To the Bottom of The Sea, The Wonderful World of Disney, Wagon Train and the ever popular- Ed Sullivan Show. Topo Gigio, the marionette mouse was gentle and sweet when exchanging chit-chat and banter with crusty 'ol Ed. Señor Winces the wise-cracking, talking hand was a riot and good wholesome entertainment in contrast to the hysteria prompted by Elvis Presley's gyrations or the mop-haired Beatles when they invaded America and sang about "Wanting to Hold Your Hand", big sister's Sophie and Marcie even reacted to the group with an unfamiliar hysteria that included screaming as the foursome began their devil-may-care performance.
  
Then there was homework, getting our uniforms ready for school and like it or not setting our sights on school bright and early Monday morning. Seems like only yesterday yet light years ago... those school days at SFX and the no nonsense teaching approach of the Sister's of Charity from Cincinnati, Ohio.  Mrs Sanchez, ran the school cafeteria and if she was in a good mood when a kid asked for seconds on a hot bun she would let you have one.
Just recapping a typical Sunday in the mid 60s around this time of year, when we were in grade school and the overall mood and feel of those days was good and easy going.
http://brunodelaroza.com/

Crazy Talk

So, yeah... this is what commercials look like in the 21st Century. This crazy coocoo-nutty bit of TV commercialism reminds me of you and Larry Gulliford.

http://brunodelaroza.com/

To My Twin Brother Mark, The Richest Man I Know!

... Teacher says; Everytime a bell rings, an angel get's his wings"!

..."Oughta boy Clarence"!

http://brunodelaroza.com/

Merry Christmas!

~ Sleep in Heavenly Peace ~ Sleep in Heavenly Peace ~

~ Sleep in Heavenly Peace ~

May there be JOY around you

and PEACE within you ~

 http://brunodelaroza.com/

Shower the People - James Taylor

I have listened to this song countless times and countless times been moved by it's everything.  JT's smooth guitar & easy to take beat melts into a perfect melodic mix, so mello... "something in the way (it) moves" - The choir of voices adds an almost jazzy/gospel flavor to this 1976 James Taylor classic and the voice heard around 3:15 minutes into the number is about as rich and soulful as exceptionally soulful, good singing gets. This favorite can be described as corny, cute, killer-cool. The original studio recording includes a perfect bridge named; "bongo-beat" This wonderful ride winds down by adding a sweet chime, to lace the prayerful tune with a little bit of heaven. ♫♪.

Thank You!

For being my twin brother.

I don't always say I am a twin, but when I do, I mention you.

Sophia's birthday today 11.27.11, your baby girl; Natalie Sophia, Puppy Wolf, "Dah-in", Fluffly, Fee-fee, precious third cub of your three lil bears.

http://brunodelaroza.com/

Luke 12:27

Consider the lilies how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I say unto you, Not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed as one of these.

http://brunodelaroza.com/

November

The first day of November, All Saints Day... perhaps a time to consider who the saints are. From long ago, saints standout as ordinary individuals who did extraordinary things, always armed with much compassion and love. We learn of those in the past and from the saints of today who go about their lives peacefully, blessing others always, making life more livable now. Thank you saints, holy & Blessed be now and forever.

http://brunodelaroza.com/

BEAUTY

Each moment of the year has its own beauty,

a picture which was never seen before,

and which shall never be seen again.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
Amercian essayist and philosopher

http://brunodelaroza.com/

October

Hi There,

Hope this message finds you perfectly perfect. I imagine you are all about a state of perfection. I truly hope it is like that for you. I wonder if you miss us or understand completely how necessary it is for you to have been called to be where you are, just as we are appointed here right now? I miss you Mark/We miss you. It is really something how the sound of  your voice and entire being can easily be summoned... I suppose as easily as any memory of you.

I want you to know you are mentioned often, thought of so endearingly and still considered very much here with us in many ways, we hold on to your wonderful spirit, if you let us, with your permission and blessings we hold you forever in our hearts, forever until never, no never will we not remember you and know you are somewhere in our soul. OK, that is all for now. Hope to have a good October.

Peace and love,
from me
http://brunodelaroza.com/

The Other Side by Bruno Mars - ft. Cee Lo Green & B.o.B

This is just a bad-ass beat. Mars blasts off into the musical cosmos wit it... serves it up tight, right, bright, big y beautiful.
"Yeah, I'm a monster but I ain't no frankenstein".... wtf. bad to da dippity do-da! ♪♫♪☼ "It's better if you don't understand"... !

Happy Birthday!

So anyway, you have been on my mind quite a bit these day's, as another birthday approached, came & went at lightening speed. A lot of folk missing you, recalling your goodness & sending birthday wishes your way still. You went to heaven when you were 37 and would have turned 54 yesterday. I guess that is one nice thing about dying young... you will always be youthful in the memories of those who think of you. Will always feel a particular void since June, 1994 when you enhaled your very first breath in heaven and released your last breath on earth. It hurts sometimes since you've gone yet I take comfort in knowing you are in a state of perfection.  vI know somehow, your spirit connects with me and other loved one's. I know because I pray it so, I feel it and when other's say or do something that is just like your distinctive brand of humor, smarts, expression & compassion, well you become present in that moment- I smile and my heart warms-up.  Your spirit transcends time and space and embraces us probebly, in more ways than we realize. Thank you for the whispers from heaven.
Long live the twin connection.

I love you brother. 

http://brunodelaroza.com/

Forget Me Not

It is September, of course I am going to think about you, mom's monkey faced son. Today marks the 10th anniversary (9.11.01) of the destruction of thousands of lives and the Twin Towers at the World Tread Center in NYC, the attack on the Pentagon & hero's aboard a United Airlines flight, overthrow highjackers- sacrificing their lives to save others as the plane is downed in Pennsylvania.  That dark day, another day of infamy that stunned the world. America under siege. Still almost unbelievable to witness and imagine all of the profoundly painful, life changing moments, countless stories told of bravery and many stories that will never be told, of death and dying, survival, horrifying, hysteria, happenstance, surreal bone chilling, heart wrenching situations. We all watched and listened in disbelief and shock as the night mare unfolded. The shock wave still felt today. People were a little more tender with one another and respectful during those days of despair and grief- Perhaps thinking twice about the fragile balance between life and death, love and hate, war and peace, darkness and light ~

http://brunodelaroza.com/

Spiritual Connection

 

                                                          Talk about your soul brothers.
http://brunodelaroza.com/

School Supplies

When adverstisements about school supplies began in late August when we were kids, it was like getting a last call for fun in the summer sun... the days were so simple when nothing was better than an ice cold Grape or Strawberry Nehi soda, sweaty glass of Kool-aid or a frozen popsicle. School was fast approaching and the water guns, trips to the pool, playing outside with friends and neighborhood kids were winding down.  Now a days school seems to start earlier and ads for school supplies are already in full swing.

The smell of a Big Chief tablet with the lined and faded looking pages was something special, ahhh... the distinctive aroma of fresh pulp as you fanned yourself with the tablet, simply defined everything about going back to school.

*Mom took us shopping, for school supplies, clothes (put on lay-away in the middle of the summer) uniforms, shoes, fresh packs of undies, socks, etc., God Bless Mom and all mothers who sacraficed much, worked hard, provided, cared for and loved their children. God Bless the crazy, lazy days of summer, swimming pools to cool off in, schools, school supplies and blessings before, at this moment and into the future.

http://brunodelaroza.com/

Afternoon Matinee's & Drive-In Theater's

When mom could, we were treated to a Saturday or Sunday afternoon matinee. A few bucks back in the 60s went quite a bit further than it seems to today. We could cover the cost of the movie ticket, a couple of treats from Walgreen's or Skaggs and enough to buy a popcorn or soda.

The Kimo, The State, The Sunshine, Highland, Fox Winrock, Cinema East were the theaters I remember. The Lobo & The Guild seemed to cater to more mature or supposedly mature folk. The Kimo held/holds all the historical and architectural grandeur of any great little or big theater, with the thick velvet curtains and carpet, the elegant banisters and the aire thick with the smell of freshly popped popcorn and eager movie goers, the ascent to the balcony, always seemed special, the minute you walked in... there was no doubt you were at the movies and could step into a make believe world, larger than life. We jumped into the big screen for a couple of hours and became the hero and adventurer, the suave star and very perfect person.

We saw movies like;
Green Beret, John Wayne walked tall and was in command in that one as well as all his other movies, there was Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang,***Elvis as Kid Galahad or dancing it up, gyrating his hips, doing the twirly-twirly as some babe pined over him in Acapulco or Vegas baby! **The Jungle Book, Bambi, Jerry Lewis as The Nutty Professor,The Music Man and Sound of Music along with all The Beach Parties with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.

Mom also piled all of us in the station wagon, popped a grocery bag full of popcorn, made some fried chicken or hot dogs, Kool-aid and other provisions and life was good... if that wasn't enough... we could go in our pj's! Off we drove, to the Silver Dollar, Duke City, Wyoming, Terrace, We saw Lilly's of The Field, Mary Poppins, The Incredible Mr Limpet, The Sound of Music. Just great movie-going fun!                                                           

Wonders of the world are actually infinite in number and measure, starting with you and I

http://brunodelaroza.com/

JUNE 2011

This June has been it's usual hot self as the Summer settles in officially. The days and nights move along at a quick pace as time keeps track of things- offering gentle and not so gentle nudges as to when plans are made and when to expect certain seasonal things to take place... baseball, weddings, graduations, vacations, camping, gardening, swimming, sitting out on the patio or the front porch, to cool-off and take it easy.
Then you get a phone call from an old friend, she is calling to let you know about a mutual friend, whose husband just had a fatal heart attack. Out of no where a perfectly sunny Sunday morning turns grey with the news. A wave of shock and sadness shroud the moment as I continue on with my day. Meanwhile, family and friends grieve, the grief resonates as heavy hearts connect spiritually. It is immediate as the holy spirit stirrs our souls and we want to reach-out to console the bereaved, the people who will "survive" the death of a loved one.

http://brunodelaroza.com/

Mark Allen Joseph Ipiotis

I was very sad to realize life would be painfully devoid of you, so different without you around. Sometimes now, sadness gets trigger-happy on me for various reasons, reasons when nothing else will do but to drop a tear or two, for missing you. Your life does not end with us on a spiritual level however, the memories every bit of  them that I can recall went with you and are very much a part of me now... plain & simple.

 http://brunodelaroza.com/

Remembering You

When I recall Memorial Day weekends I think of long weekends, camping, day trips, puttering around the house, catching-up on projects and hanging-out with favorite people. You rounding-up a few friendlies for a little barbecue action at your place, and Nancy making sure everybody had plenty. The cold drinks, watermelon, water guns, baby swimming pools, music and good cheer filled the warm air.  I find myself thinking about you as if you were just across town.

 

We remember the days of summer when our big worries were to go with the vanilla or chocolate ice cream cone from the Dairy Dan truck on Sunday night, or which flavor of popsicle or Nehi soda, coca-cola, rc or doctor pepper?? OR who would take us swimming or to a Dukes baseball game? We remember you and all the people who now exist in perfection and who we love so dearly, still. 
~ Your hearts, as sacred as your spirits are great.
Thankfully, the love remains and continues to comfort and bless. Yes, we remember you and all the goodness you shared ~

http://brunodelaroza.com/

Sunset Memorial Piper

June, 1994: One Saturday afternoon, while walking around Sunset Memorial Cemetery, where Mark had recently been laid to rest, I was feeling forlorn, dumbfounded by the death of my twin bro's passing, suddenly off in the distance, the quiet stillness is interrupted by the haunting, prayerful sound of a bagpipe player whaling into his bag of pipes; Amazing Grace.

I was lifted out and taken back by the dreamscape-quality of the moment, it seemed like heaven cracked-open a door and I was allowed to take a peek inside. I was at once, overcome with grief and stunned with disbelief... an experience of a lifetime, so simple yet unusual, mysterious and spellbinding, it left me breathless and hoping I would never forget.
Since Mark's passing almost 14 years ago, holy spirits beckon me with particular glimmers of light and love, peace and comfort, with gentle sometimes barely audible whispers from heaven, always reminding me of a special place and time, and all the goodness we shared.
I know this to be true and receive the messages as answered prayers. ~ To the best of my understanding and beseeching of such matters as these, I am sincerely thankful and humbled as I am made aware of God's amazing Grace that continues to be bestowed upon me and those who ask.

http://brunodelaroza.com/

Amazing Grace

Rise and shine ☼

Art Imitates Life

Whenever the classic movie, To Kill A Mockingbird was on TV, Mark would call me and tell me it was on. Scout and Gem reminded him of us. Scout, a high spirited tomboy and good kid who wanted to beleive that everyone basically was as good-hearted as she is and Gem, Scout's brother, a little older, much more subdued and stoic, thought everyone should be equally as composed and as smart as him.
http://brunodelaroza.com/

Dear Mark,

Just a note as you cross my mind ♪ been a couple of week's since I've posted in your bloggity-blog. Man, the memories, photo's, places, people that bring-up your name, still... who you were and will always be... so cool to hear, be reminded of.  You would love it; "the man, the myth, the legend". How can someone who physically died over thirteen years ago, still be so present in our daily lives?  The impression you made on us, like all dearly departed one's, remain locked-in tight. Those you shared special moments with or very simple, the best or funkiest of times, a little or a lot of life, love, laughter, music, so much goodness to hold on to.

Those days and nights somehow linger and surface easily like a flash-back in a movie.  

I come across various things with your name on it; Mom, your brothers and sisters, your children and Nancy still hold a part of you in their hearts. I see it and feel it.

Well, that's about it for now. As mom would say; "K.I.T.", Keep In Touch. We'll be on the look-out for  you. xo, me

http://brunodelaroza.com/     

Dancin In The Moonlight - King Harvest

A Prayer

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
~

         Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.       
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

   ~ 
Saint Francis of Assisi

~ Dan Fogelberg (8.13.51 - 12.16.07) 1993 River of Souls ~

I take my place along the shore

And I wait for the tide

It seems I've passed this way before

In an earlier time

I hear a voice like mystery

Blowing warm through the night

The silent moon embraces me

And I'm drawn to her light

I follow footprints in the sand

To a circle of stone

Find a fire burning bright

Though I came here alone

And in the play of shadows cast

I can dimly discern

The shapes of all who've gone before

Calling me to return

There are no names

That fit these faces

There are no lines that can define

These ancient spaces

The spirits dance across the ages

And melt into a river of souls

Lo que es de mio ~~ what is mine ~~

Lo que es de dios ~~ what is god's ~~

Lo que es del rio ~~ what is the river's ~~

Melt into a river of souls

I take my place along the shore

And I wait for the tide

It seems I've passed this way before

In an earlier time

To every man the mystery

Sings a different song

He fills his page of history

Dreams his dreams and is gone

There are no names

That fit these faces

There are no lines that can define

These ancient spaces

The spirits dance across the ages

And melt into a river of souls

Lo que es de mio ~~ what is mine ~~

Lo que es de dios ~~ what is god's ~~

Lo que es del rio ~~ what is the river's ~~

Melt into a river of souls

Wake Up!

Wake UP Everybody!

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes

"No more backward thinking. It's time for thinking ahead"

Opposites

You & me. You're on the left and turned-out left-handed. That would be me on the right.. looking all worked-up about something.

Opposites we are, mom says we are mirror twins, boy and girl twins like twins that are not identical, are also referred to as fraternal. We were womb mates but took up in separate placenta's, even our DNA was not the same as it is with identical twins. There is an undeniable bond however, yes a Bond, Twin Bond. Seems like we always kept an eye on one another. It was natural to ask where you were if you were not around. You would inquire as to my where abouts if I wasn't in sight. Even when you and Nancy married, the connection was locked in between you and I.

You are so missed, Mark, but your physical life ran it's course, unless you consider your cells, various matter, chromosomes still running around in your children and now grandchildren... that's another blog. It hurts sometimes to think you were taken from us mid-way though our lives, taken from everybody who loves you. Honestly, when I think of all the history, the rough and rowdy times, the special moments we shared, the love, loyalty, laughter, fussing, fighting, friendship, unequaled partnership... I feel a void still, the severance included it's own unexplainable grief but like any uncommon bond, I do hold a great deal of satisfaction in knowing we came into life together give or take a few minutes. We shared so many experiences, adventures, lessons, fun and fantastic times as well as challenges, triumphs, simple and unforgettable moments... we shared much.

I'm grateful we grew-up side by side, we gave life our best shot as twins. I am a better person, a different kind of individual for being blessed with you as my twin. I still think of myself as a twin, your twin. You cross my mind often and I thankfully have great memories of our twinship. It was a hell of trip and we traveled with a lot of love, good humor, sass and unique brand of everything. It makes for wonderful stuff of my life.

For The Last Time

The last day of the year meant we could say this is the last time we would do this or that, for example; "This is the last time I will use the bathroom in 2010". or "This is the last glass of water I'll drink in 2010". or, we'd say corny things like; "See you next year"... which would be day after tomorrow. Just silly things to mark the last time something would happen this year and next year would soon be upon us.

23½º

December 21, 2010 Solstice takes place at 23:38 Universal Time = 5:38 PM Central Standard Time.

It's a big deal, when the shadow of the earth can be seen from earth, it's all the rage when the moon and the sun play a kind of hide and go seek. A lunar eclipse is like watching a quiet storm or a silent movie. It's a star studded event, it's an extravaganza rarely seen by humankind. All the main characters placed in position. The world orbits on it's own tilted axis around the sun, the North Pole leans 23½ degrees shying away from the warmth only to scurry and search for the light as quickly as possible tomorrow.

Late dawns, early sunsets, lingering noontime shadows, mood swings, emotions run high and low. Existence moves at a faster pace. In the northern hemisphere it is the shortest day of the year, in the southern hemisphere, it is the longest day. Places are traded, roles reversed, shifts occur. Crazy to imagine the globe moving at an average speed of 18 miles per second. Makes life as we know it seem to be moving in ultra warped slow motion. It's all so curious yet studied since antiquity astronomically, mathematically, scientifically and with countless instruments, tools, devices, maps, charts, Stonehenge's and other means of attempting to figure out the absolute in a infinite sea of variables and factors.

The days in our lives from this corner of the world grows longer after today. The imperfect circle meets the perfect cycle and rhythm of life. Sunrise, sunset and repeat.

December 12

December 12th is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, mother of Jesus and Patron saint of the America's. Devotee's stem from Mexico, New Mexico, the great Southwest and around the world, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe is a symbol of faith, hope and love.

The Dominican nun's at Queen of Heaven got it in their heads to put a pageant play on one year, at the church. We were 6th or 7th graders as I recall and you played the part of a bishop.You wore a red cassock with a matching skull cap and looked very bishopy. I was a guard and my costume was a Mexican serape vest and a super goofy straw hat, which were big in the late 60's. Something Annette Funacello and Frankie Avalon, wore in those movies with a beach backdrop. Roy Rivera narrated the play which was very corny and very sweet. Afterwards, Mom treated us to a great spaghetti dinner at Caruso's, the Italian neighborhood resturante.

Mom has always believed that good things happen to her on The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She has believed it and so it has been, is and will be. Amen. Here's to you "Lupe" we love you, most holy, precious, peaceful, perfect one.

Thank you too!

Thanks you crazy, knuckle-head!  Man did we raise hell, like with some of our knock down drag-out fights for example, that called for post fight reviews to include how we would protect ourselves from one another, the next time. Thank you for stopping to pad your bare knuckles with socks, the socks that were supposed to hold in the padding like boxing gloves. The socks slipped around and in no time we were basically boxing bare knuckled. I usually ended-up with a bloody nose and that pretty much put the kibosh on the match. The blood was impressive and made me feel real gladiator-like.  But yeah, Thank you for the goofy good times. I think about certain moments we laughed so hard, the tears streamed down our faces. The fist-a-cuffs one day and the hilarious mad-cap shenanigans we worked ourselves in and out of, the next. It was a blast. Yes, Thank you oh so, oh so, oso much! xo, m

Dia's de Los Muertos

¡¡Viva La Vida y Viva Los Muertos!!!

Sundee June 5, 1994

You called from Mom's and said; "C'mon over". I said; "No". You repeated; "C'mon over" I said; "Nah., You persisted; "C'mon over" I resisted and said; "No".

You insisted and said; "Mom made strawberry Jello-O w/bananas"! I changed my mind and said; "OK".

If it hadn't been for Mom's strawberry Jell-O w/bananas, I would not have seen you the day before you went to Heaven.

I miss you, is all I'm saying here. We think and talk about you dearly departed one, all the time. Seems like you're always around, but not quite.

Here's to strawberry Jell-O w/bananas, white butterflies and all the things that remind us of YOU. XOXO, ME

On Your Mark

Get set... GO! Run, jump, zig-zag, dart in and out of this obstacle and that one.. rather exciting stuff to us knuckle-head roustabouts who only wanted to have fun, a good laugh, the thrill of trying to be good at something and better then the competition which was each other, minimum. Anybody else in on the fun and games would be well advised to bring-on their best game. The backyard obstacle courses we set-up were fantastic fun and slightly dangerous. You know, no Risk Management or Quality Control inspections to ensure our safety. No, none of that candy-assness... and by the way, NO cry babies. Note: The obstacle course shown here is not exactly like some of the courses we rigged-up but similar in concept. The wheel barrel jump, scaling the cinder block wall & flower-box planter, the race against the clock... Was ON, the competition- fierce. The stop-watch was ticking. If there was any abrasions, lacerations, rasberries, knots or blows to the head, slight concussions, contusions, sprains or such you were strongly encouraged to tough it out so we could start over. Fun Fun!

August 28, 2010

When your son, Mark was born around 28 yrs ago, apparently you couldn't grab your baby boy fast enough from Nancy who had just given birth to him, to present him to the small waiting crowd gathered outside the deliverary room... beaming you offered him to mom and exclaimed; "Happy Birthday Mom" to your beloved mother and mine, Marian "Sparky". HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM & MARKY!!! We Love you then, now & ever more!

Yesterday, August 28, 2010 Mom turned 85. We got her in the 47 Chevy Fleetline, we also call; "Sparky" and along with sisters, Sophie, Marcie & brother, Chris went for a spin and a coke.

A little later, we all gathered in mom's room to sing happy birthday to her, couldn't find any candles. I said; "on three---" and immediately started with "Happy Birthday to you..." without counting to three, which Liz-a was all to happy to point-out.

The ride with mom & siblings, Breakfast Club gathering in the morning, the rain and the day was a beautiful deluge of freshness, family, great old friends, good cheer and was as sweet and special as can be. Blessings abound.

Sun D Night

August 22, 2010. Don't think we don't miss you Mark, you know we do. You, me.. it was; their's, our's, the twins, los cuates, jimelos... and then there was one. Actually, when you went your way as a young adult and I went my way... it kind of started being mine & yours. We were checking-out the world on our own, independent of one another. It wasn't a complete schism, you called on me many times in your adult life... looking for some kind of comfort, understanding, connection... even if it was only to agitate, irratate, annoy, announce... scoop me on some late-breaking local, national, international, athletic or entertainment-type news. You couldn't wait to break the news, Dick Knifing-style.

Twins are special,,.. special & double-up on much. It is pluralization for the situation, in association with the invocation, irrovocation, recreation for all creation... jus messing wichoo. laterz. mair

The Way We Were

Sounds so silly, corny, not really us... but then again Mark, I think about the memories growing-up with you. Everything we gave and took from one another, so many things that remind me of you, I play forward still today. We loved you so much, we love you now and take you with us into the unknown, knowing we loved you to death. We shared life, learned some lessons painfully and other lessons brought to bare with great joy, great laughs, great history between us, I hold on to and cherish with the understanding that you too love us to death. The connection is strong, in tact and remains, due to The Way We Were ~

White Butterfly

A Butterfly Lights Beside Us, like a sunbeam... and for a brief moment it's glory and beauty belong to our world... but then it flies on again, and although we wish it could have stayed, we are so thankful to have seen it at all.

~ Author Unknown

Everything & Nothing @ All

Taking in the night sky, relaxing and lounging on the trunk of mom's car. Just shoot the breeze, identify the big and little dipper's, Venus, the moon made us kooky crazy with absurd observation about everything and nothing at all. I knew we would outgrow those times and that I would never forget them. When I see a clear night now I don't see as many stars as we did then but I know they are there... just like I know you're there and still here in my heart and soul, my head. It's all relative isn't it, relative to you and I and everything, everyone who have only to look up at the heavens and see the vastness of life, the mysteries of death and every bit of light that gives us comfort in the middle of all the darkness.

The top of the car trunk in the driveway became a place to retreat to individually too. You'd go out there and day dream, make that get lost in the night sky, taking in what was to be received I suppose. Whatever it was, the solice of reclining outside on the car in the evening, is a good thing to recall.

Sunday

Sunday is a bittersweet thing... many a good thing can occur yet the weekend closes in on the work week, homework is due, work Monday. For now it's quiet and comfortable in my corner of the world as I think and pray about anybody who suffers, the young, old, innocent one's with no place to go, biting pain, despair, fear, isolation looms.

Holy Spirit cast your mercy, comfort, consolation, peace on those who suffer. Please be with those who are not winding down from a lovely weekend and gearing-up in eager anticipation of the week ahead.

HEY!

So even tho' you incurred much grief on me as your twin sister, you also provided much goodness & great memories. What we shared from the beginning as womb mates to the very last time I saw you walking around, is an uncommon connection for obvious reasons and many more not so obvious. How very special and precious, how well I know and remain amazed at the sustainability of the twin ness.

I was thinking about the Saturday morning at KANW, I was on one side of a glass partition and you were on the other on the control boards. You kind of dozed-off in between songs, on oxygen by then, around spring 1994. I remember thinking; Don't die. I could feel you getting weak, sick and tired. You never mentioned the possibility of having to say goodbye, just kept on plowing through.

I don't like to go on about this matter either... but damn,, sometimes, well. You were born a few minutes b4 me, then you up and left some years b4 me. Well, that's just fine. You go on outta here with you're bad self. Enjoy the hell out of the peaceful, powerful, place of privilege, the perfection that encompasses you now. Wow! What's not to look forward to? For now tho' mom is hanging in there but grows increasingly weary of this world. The good news is her life, like yours continues to bless us in more ways then we realize.

..."I Did Not Die"

A Native American Poem :

Don't stand by my grave and weep, for I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I'm the diamond's glint on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. Don't stand by my grave and cry. I am not there. I did not die.

High School Year Books, Raggedy Ann & Andy & stuff

Robert Chavez signed our year book one year with the following bit of an inordinate degree of sentimentality: "Mike you like basketball."That was rich, real, simple straight to the point. * As kids we seemed to have some sort of connection with Raggedy Ann & Raggedy Andy. * We liked the children's song that went something like Jimmy crack corn and I don't care. * One of our favorite story books was the action packed Little Black Sambo. * A simple shovel and pale provided many hours of fun and mud pies was a thrilling way to get muddy. A drop of water on the tip of a little hill of sand created cool crown-like designs... then to scrape um up carefully from underneath.. a delicate procedure and phenomenal fun. * Oh, How bout when we perched on the wooden fence in between our house and Fofo & Florences' shoot the breeze and nibble on honey suckle off our tree? Sweet and peaceful, not a care in the world-times.. no way you could tell me different.

So, HEY. Been thinking about you today Mark. I went to a funeral service for little boy Timothy and little girl Abigail who were left out completely on their own in the world, abandoned out in the middle of life with only the grace of God to lift their innocent, pure precious hearts and bodies to a place beyond earthly recognition and description. The caskets were about the size of shoe boxes and covered with a nice silky fabric. Metropolitan Community Church made arrangements for a burial service at Sunset Memorial Cemetery along the babies corridor right next to Edith. Pastor Judith Maynard presided over the simple occasion marking the transition from life to death for two babies who never got a chance to be. This was their course? Who am I to question the book of life and death.

The moment was solemn, sad and laced with a particular calm that occurs when the holy spirit is undeniably present. My aching heart fluttered as the mysteries of life and death leave me feeling humble, somewhat weak. There is a profound peace and stillness even in the middle of the hustle and bustle surrounding us in the middle of day. I wonder about some things yet feel reassured and confident about others.

Ahh huh. Any who... What up? You bug me. You bug me. Shut-up. You shut-up. I love you. Later ~

Sports

Yes sports a common denominator for you and me. To watch it was to see people playing and having fun but we enjoyed the action, the challenge, the strength & coordination required and of course the competitive nature of it. We made a game out of the simplest things... how long could we keep the object i.e. ball, Frisbee, whatever in the air without dropping it.. then try to break our record, it was always about breaking the record, bettering the numbers.. the obstacle courses we set-up in the back yard.. the wheel barrel jump, scaling the concrete planter etc. the basketball games with goal tending allowed during the backboard-nailed to a tree era in the early 70's. The Olympics inspired many a competitive event between us. The Friday or Saturday night basketball games on the wooden floors with a wad of socks balled up. We either didn't have a ball around for whatever reason or mom was opposed to the idea of a basketball bouncing and bursting around the front bedroom. We played about as raucous, rough and tumble as happy puppies... we decided that the area just above the door was the basketball goal. We had some tremendous airial type moves and only got better as we grew to excel and have a blast in sports. We both pitched, you in baseball, me in softball & both held our own on first base. I recall feeling a great deal of pride when you compared my batting skills to Babe Ruth & Hank Aaron. I honestly fancied myself to be quite the quarterback, threw a good looking spiral that sailed & spanned some real estate. Alas, my QB days were shorter-lived than I expected and saddened me deeply. We appreciated the effort involved in organized sports too, the commadare, the practice & training involved altho not necessarily our most favorite thing to do but a big part of the athletic equation.
The ABC Sports motto has always struck a nerve with me and I think you appreciated it too;
"The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat".

January/February

So long January. See you next year!. The calender flips over tomorrow. It would be nice to see the short month go smoothly. I'm hopeful the world will be as well as possible. From on high to down low and every where in between.. may all life be good and all death be in accordance with the cycle and circle of life and may the physically departed sleep in heavenly peace ~

Auntie Agnes

Auntie Agnes died peacefully in her sleep last Monday. She was mom's last remaining sibling, mom has taken her sister's death pretty hard. Sure does get you to thinking about your own mortality, from whence you came and all that.

Auntie was a good woman, salt of the earth. When I think of her I picture her dancing with me to ranchera music, her head resting on my chest then bursting out in laughter, puro grins and giggles. She liked a good laugh. Auntie made some of the best if not the most delicious spicy ice tea I've ever had. At Christmas she gave us great knit or wool socks, scarfs, gloves or mittens, something really thoughtful, practical and fun, special and highly anticipated. There always seemed to be a picture of JFK prominently placed on one of the walls in your neat and organized home.

It's sad to think Auntie's gone but comforting to know her influence, the impact and impression she made remains. The very important people stick around, some how stay with us in our heart and soul long after the dance is done.

Rest in Peace Auntie "Nines" Agnes ~
Agnes Hammond
March 31, 1921 - December 21, 2009