Faith ~

Keep your faith in all beautiful things; 
in the sun when it is hidden, 
in the Spring when it is gone. 
~ Roy R. Gilson

 

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Yours!

May happiness be yours as much as possible, whenever possible in every direction, every drop, drive, dreary day and unforgettable night ~ May your hopes and sweet dreams come true and may good luck, good fate, faith, goodness and life's sacredness bless you with family and friends to love and love you through life.

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LOVE

Sometimes the answer, sometimes the question to ponder and yearn for, live and die for, give and receive, to cherish, lose sleep over, protect, pray for fight and play forward. Love is new, old, ageless, weak, strong, grows, dies, lives, breathes, builds, repairs the damage, replaces what is lost and redeems the forsaken. It fades, flourishes, blossoms and beautiful.

    

Love is the souls desire, it is priceless, real, raw, regal, necessary, essential to well being.It is simple, spectacular, tough, tender, a blessing and immersed in the rhythm, ebb and flow of life. To love and be loved with good intention and respect is to be riveted by, cry over, sigh, ache appreciate and be amazed by.

 

Love dazzles, dazes, pleases and teases, confuses and is a fundamental feeling.

The experience and instinctive nature of love is healthy, nurturing, comforting while heart pounding, perplexing and motivating. It moves in slow motion and faster than the speed of sound, it is boundless with the capacity to light the darkness and fill the heart with pain, passion, joy, hope and everything good.

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River of Life

For Life And Death Are One

Even As The River And The Sea Are One

Khalil Gibran



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Wonder

I wonder how earth, the moon, the sun, all the planets, stars and celestial entities know their fiery, fantastic breathtaking perfectly synchronized dance steps. I wonder how much more is out there to explore and discover, to learn from, love, live with and long for, to bless and be blessed by. I wonder where the answers to all the questions are, where the lost is found, happiness prevails and peace is the only law and order of the day. I wonder who will answer the call to champion what is right,  be compassionate, honor the dignity of all beings and be true to the core of loving and being loved.

Who will stand by the sad, the sick the wounded and broken. Who will cure the world one heartbeat, one step, one kind word and gesture of respect at a time. I wonder what will happen in the future, in the spirit and heart of the universe and what if push comes to shove. What in the world can be done to heal itself from the wounds of negativity, harsh treatment of one another and all the ills that wreck havoc among the vulnerable, those without a voice at all and the forgotten.  I wonder when time will tell, the earth will stop spinning, love will conquer all and when we will get it right. When is enough, when does the sacredness of our hearts and souls saturate life and all existence with love, peace and respect.
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Noel Pointer ~ Wayfaring Stranger

Bittersweet, sad, passionate, intense serious and surreal. This music sounds like winter in many ways. Peace, love, joy to you always, from me
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Angels

Angels are a peculiar lot, maybe they are among us maybe they are not. Maybe they fly, are big, wear fur or goofy smiles, maybe they dress in white and solid gold hallo's hover over them or maybe they exist somewhere in between our heart and soul, our life death and our joy and pain?

I wonder how angel's came about, if at a cost does the price increase as the demand for their special skills increase and does the value rise in direct proportion. I wonder if humanity would recognize them or simply see's them often but usually unaware? Is everyone issued their own guardian angel or several at birth? Are they boys or girls, a combination of both or something else?

Angels in our midst are as possible and probable as a smile that makes you melt, a breathtaking sunrise and sunset, a full fabulous moon and a soft rain on a hot dry day. Angels are probably just dying to meet you and me to make our acquaintance and hang around as needed for the rest of our days and nights. Angels on high, down low, close to the earth, heaven sent it seems to be a matter of fact of stories told lives saved, indescribable miraculous elements of life the unexplainable, turning points, pivotal life changing moments when nothing and no one can help or understand your hopeless plight, no one except a being of extraordinary means and ways, divine.

Alas, the flight and fancy, dream and schemes of the angel appears- time and time again, the peoples choice, back by popular demand of the collective subconscious thinking wishing hoping mind and spirit of people everywhere... a ray of light in the darkness, shelter from the storm suddenly surfaces while compassion, kindness, respect, love and comfort find their way into your broken heart and open wounds, your fear, despair and plea for relief are heard. The angel hastens to your rescue equipped with wings of tenderness, strength and courage.  Recognize and acknowledge angels as you hear the whisper in your ear. Tears wiped clean, doubt put to rest and peace finds it way into your thoughts. Yes, bask in the calm quiet company of angelic forces and their perfectly placed presence.

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FLY ~

Fly into the high wide sky far happy and free. Slide into the day with anticipation of good things to come. Ride like elegant feathers on a bird effortlessly. Roll like a shiny rock in a riverbed lined with gold. Move into the night grateful and nice at the end of the day. Dream sweet dreams rest quietly comfortably and at peace. Sigh in awe breathless from the light the love the mystery and miracles of life ~

 

"Wave!" the ocean calls to hasten and pour itself onto the shore. Brave the storm go forth with courage better for the burden as more challenges await you are stronger for the wear and tear. Stand firm with resolve to rise above the darkness equipped with all the necessary sacred armor. Walk the center line poised for goodness and grace.  Be a blessing blessed better than the moment before. Pray the test of time and space will see you safely and happily through. Be the one who lifts and lights the way ~

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Round About Way ~

After living the past the present invites you in welcoming you with open arms or simply let's you in to help yourself. You wish the moment could stand still and other times cannot pass into the future fast enough. In the quiet and chaos, heavenly and hellacious the bridge must be crossed there is no turning back as life unfolds on it's own accord and at it's own pace.

One has an idea of what lies ahead per prior arrangements, conditions, expectations, schedules, deadlines, routines, set coordinates however anything can happen as sudden unforeseen changes take place, the human factor, factors beyond control, the weather, the days and nights like people and places are full of surprises and are constantly subject to change. *Without warning mayhem magic miracles the monumental minuscule of life moves about with reckless abandon or with purpose. Every heart beat by beat, step by step stride, ride, round about way also proud, painful, playful, fearless current moment at a time until the next time we step into the future the present becomes the past and the past becomes a memory in the future.
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September 23, 2013 Happy Birthday Marky! ♥

 Just a little malarkey, fanfare & salute to you on our birthday! Been extra nice I know you been around ~

Twin Towers

One down, one tower of The World Trade Center destructs right in front of our eyes. How can it be, crashing furiously the concrete, glass and metal giant roars and rumbles in pain. Then the second twin is blindsided too, the fallen, injured broken, everyone and everything goes down. It is hellacious to witness, to understand the scope and magnitude of the moment. The wretched scathing reality of precious lives lost as the stoic structure ruptures violently. The smoke and ash, blood, water, cries of the hurt and those wanting to help, it is a dark and vivid memory, a sad awareness of lives that ended too soon.

 

With little to no warning perhaps only time enough for a lighting fast call to a loved one to tell them you love them if you can even muster enough air to speak, or no last words at all. For the survivors the love and grief remains. 

In those moments on September 11th, 2001 the world changes, it is a place in the universe that weeps for it's own destructive nature, cries for equality, justice, peace, enough to eat and a safe place to land at the end of the day.

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The Basics

Counting blessings, taking stock, itemizing the vast inventory of riches bestowed upon me. Grateful and happy to maintain a humble heart filled with fresh appreciation for the everyday resources and conveniences available.  Simple stuff, the simpler the better, the best approach and one my sensibilities prefer more everyday. Keep calm and carry-on, go nuts get carried away whatever you do; keep your sh*t together in as much as possible the choice is yours. ☼

It's just that from time to time the obvious needs to be pointed out, dusted off and brought to light.

Everyday is another set of choices, experiences, thoughts, feelings, conversations, gestures of kindness, lessons, challenges and opportunities. We face life head-on ready for what may come and sometimes retreat to a quiet place, undisturbed, without strain or stress, a time to unplug. ☼ Our spirit's thrive in peace as our hearts are often barely noticed and living without the daily requirements it longs for; LOVE and JOY- the basics.  ☼ Our gooey yet resilient center suffers quietly hoping for respite, a peaceful place to land and a nice parking spot. That is not asking too much and important to seek and find such necessary aspects in the middle of the everyday grind. Let's do it! Go get 'um, run away, play, pout, party, pray or stay for the double feature. Just do it, and do it good!

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Wounded ♥

There is always hope for a wounded heart even after a direct hit and blunt blow. Branches snap off ripped apart from the tree of life barely upright after being blindsided, whipped around by the unforgiving blistering wind. Reality is raw and painful as word of a loved ones death leaves a family weak with grief or to consider the harsh injustices of the world. Humanity bleeds at the hands of it's own cruelty, the sad, hostile, inhumane, dark side of existence can leave one depleted, broken, battered and bruised.

Moving forward from everything into possibly anything, the world is hungrier than ever for love and respect. The hunger is in our own divine core, constantly seeking a peaceful place to land where love and respect is consumed and shared like oxygen, a peaceful attitude is the order of the day and positive perspectives are the only known perspective.

*Let us go forth then and be a blessing to one another.

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America ~

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Q & A

When we were in our early 20s you knew you wanted to marry Nancy, be a good husband

and provider, you probably had an inclination about fathering and raising children, I mean- "cubs". You went about your life as a matter of fact and did not seem to let things bother you, things that concerned and confused me.

 

Fearlessly, you went so far as to take on a security guard job for a while. I like the story about Nancy showing up to a huge downtown warehouse you were guarding at the time, unbeknownst to you she showed-up on site and scared the hell out of you as you heard unfamiliar footsteps and sounds... after a few minutes of the mysterious steps coming out of the dark, calling out your name she put you at ease, you composed yourself and were once again able to do your job at securing the grounds.

Now I look back on those years of my own unrest and uncertainty.  I was desperate to find answers to questions I did not even know how or what to ask, until the Holy Spirit tapped me on my sad shoulders and rescued me from myself. I was reassured that it was OK not to learn all the answers and mysteries would unravel over the course of my life.  It was a quiet yet spectacular, life changing epiphany when God's amazing grace would shine a light on a dimly lit lost world and rescue and revive a weary and restless heart. 

 

I moved forward mindful of the personal spiritual connection available with the Holiest of Holies, Sacred Heart, Healer, Comforter, Port in life's storms forevermore aware of blessings and my capacity to be a blessing, these endless miracles would see me through the journey. I was issued keys to what I thought was a locked door in order to obtain peace of mind and healthy perspectives. The keys as it turns out were in my possession all along and included but were and are not limited to; Love and the inherent power to cultivate a climate of kindness, to strive for patience, to forgive, grow in faith and joy would be available to me as long as I sought the presence and guidance of the author and finisher of life.

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19 years

	Obituary for IPIOTIS
Published in the Albuquerque Journal on Thursday June 06, 2013
IPIOTIS, MARK ALLEN JOSEPH In Loving Memory of Mark Allen Joseph Ipiotis September 23, 1957 - June 6, 1994 We get on with our lives minus the ones we miss. Mark's absence is like that missing sparkling diamond on the ring, the ship and precious cargo lost at sea, the spectacular eclipse shrouded by the clouds, the blowout party that ended too soon, the favorite Greatest Hits album without a record player to play it on. HS graduation in early June 1975, a landmark time for us like the night Mark died our lives changed, we would never be the same. The curtains were drawn, the concert was cancelled, the game called because of rain. What a great guy and great Spirit who had nice penmanship.

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Element of Life

Survivor's, sojourners, souls connect, the spirit fades then shines a dazzling light, a perpetual quiet and constant flicker, it is a holy light a force of which I do not know the words to adequately describe. It is an essential element of life. It plays out like an endless ride, big waves gush through our consciousness Mark's love prevails, his memory, his way's, his look, his walk, talk, a regular guy but way beyond.

 

The essence of Mark remains because we say so.  Life we shared Fahgetabout, it's locked in, to think about growing up together, the love, hate thing sometimes made us growl at the sight of each other but at the end of the day it is the loyalty that never went away. Even if we couldn't or were told; not to even look at each other. The care and need to protect and watch out for one another- just a way of life.

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As The World Turns

As if it were always here and always will be, as if there were no pain, no strain, no cruelty, no hate nor turmoil. It's crazy, incredible, inconceivable, completely insane and fantastic. Planet earth, as fragile as it is mighty, as vulnerable as it is resilient but not indestructible as billions of other celestial elements graze on and share the same immense cosmic pasture.

Planets play with the stars and one wonders how it is all organized and maintained while life and light, death and darkness jockey for position. Perhaps we are lost in space crashing recklessly into spaces already occupied or floundering about like graceful koi fish in a heavenly pond. The ever present challenge to find our place our joy our peace our purpose. Here I am, here we are with our slight yet important presence in the middle of it all at the center of the mysterious vastness.

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THANK YOU!

Mom, Thank you for all the years of love and care, for worrying about me, wondering if I am alright, and waiting for the call to let you know we made it home OK. You taught us to understand the importance of respect and the difference between right and wrong and kept us out of trouble.
Thank you for seeing to it that I had enough and appreciated everything I had. I stay in your heart just as you remain in my soul.
Thank you for being there.

To the Mother of my children, Thank you Nancy, for being such a good mother and now grandmother. Thank you for loving our children and being there for my mother now and remaining part of the family. I am eternally grateful to you for your presence in my life, for helping me to become the man you will always love and the good father I prayed to be for our children.

Happy Mothers Day to the ones who loved and cared for me, for your kindness and nurturing ways, for keeping me alive in your memory and remembering me as a very important part of your life. I do what I can in quiet, gentle ways to remind you of your preciousness and special place in the world. What a blessing you were to me and continue to be to the one's I love.

I love you more than ever and hope Mother's Day finds you happy and healthy and satisfied that you are living life with grace and goodness and making life more livable because you are in it.

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Never On Sunday

After mass Mom prepared a nice Sunday meal that might include meatloaf or fried chicken with all the fixings and strawberry jello & bananas for dessert. Most stores and business' never opened on Sundays.  Everything seemed to quiet down for the day, the pace slowed and people adapted to the day of rest accordingly. We piled in the black and white Ford to visit Tia Erlinda and sometimes picked her up to join us for a ride out to the country and an ice cream cone from the Diary Queen or a mug of root beer from A&W's. Simple, sweet stuff, every one in good spirits as we squeezed out every drop of the weekend we could.

A nice Sunday or Saturday matinee was the most, I can still imagine the smell of the lobby in the Kimo, State, Sunshine and Highland theaters. We were treated to great afternoons filled with Hollywood or Disneyland's kid-friendly movies of the day (circa 1960's) that always translated into a few hours of quiet time for Mom and meant an exciting escape into the big screen full of fun, adventure in technicolor and music in high fidelity plus fresh popcorn, a cold drink and some sweets. Life was good!

On occasion big sisters, Marcie and Sophie escorted us to the circus with the larger than life, heart pounding, wide-eyed, jaw-dropping spectacular sights and sounds.  The ringmaster directing the greatest show onearth appeared noble with perfect posture along with the amazingly enthusiastic booming voice and top hat made everything magical and somewhat overwhelming to take it all in. We watched the choreographed processions in awe as the lions, elephants, monkeys, clowns, the pretty ladies in their shiny outfits and beautiful faces so daring and graceful preformed dangerous aerial acts and thrilling perfectly timed acrobatics. It made for an afternoon of thrills and chills, we were all smiles, excited and happy to enjoy all the fantastic fun under the big top! It was like heaven especially when Marcie pulled-out and passed around a big bag of candy she had packed for the occasion!

Late Sunday night could be challenging if a nap was taken earlier. It's a tough one when you're wide awake and must get-up early for school or work the next day. Certain people, places and activities fit so perfectly with Sunday and define what will take place, how, where, when... hopefully at an easy going pace. Some things are simply not done on Sunday like work or school and some things are reserved only for Sunday after church and chores around the house, having fun, enjoying the day, lounging around, playing cards or shooting hoops. It is a good day to recharge your batteries for the new week ahead.

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Play Ball!

The players have practiced, trained, scrimmaged and warmed-up over and over again. The necessary players and coaches are in place, the field, equipment and uniforms are on, the season opens.

The smell of  baseball includes fresh air, freshly cut grass and wet dirt. The ball smacks the leather of the glove, the bat cracks with the swat, the competitors mean business, focused and ready to roll. Who will hit the hardest, run the fastest, yell the loudest, catch the line drive and fly ball, time the play just right, according to what might happen next?  Who might steal a base, strike-out or hit a home run out of the ballpark? Who will earn the most hits, runs, errors and sacrafices? Who will trot off the field happier after all the innings have been played out and line-up to exchange high-five's and a mention of the "Good game!" with the opposing team? 

 

Another season begins and is as fresh as the budding tree's surrounding the field, the bleachers and chair backs await their rightful occupants. Everyone is excited to hunker into a brand new season of several games of skill, strength, speed, overall athleticism, the great outdoors, fun competition and experiences that will be remembered for a lifetime, perhaps even thought of as the glory days for a lot of people, young and old, fans of the sport in the dug-out, on the field and out in the stands.  ☼  Batter up!

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New

Who doesn't like new things? A new garment, pair of shoes, a car, house, job, baby, relationship, trip, pet, you name it, even a new attitude can be nice. Funny thing about this time of year, it seems new like waking-up from hibernation for several months. This part of the globe thaws from a chilly winter, people perk-up and continue on, renewed and good to go.

There is a sense of refreshment as we welcome the familiar season. Once again hope springs eternal, possibilities are dusted off. We move forward marching to the sound of our own drum amidst the familiar and predictable yet there is always a chance of something good, surprises and disappointments, something no one saw coming, something to marvel at or mourn or revel in, to experience at least once in a lifetime, something you wish everyone could learn or no one would ever have to endure. Yes, there is new hope for goodness to prevail, for joy to ride on the shoulders of sadness and exhaustion to be extinguished by rejuvenation.

There is an air of wonder, excitement as well as uncertainty and mystery. We find it is necessary to simply enjoy the natural beauty of Spring when the ground stirs, flowers bloom and trees sprout with their quiet and comforting presence. The earth comes alive as birds sing their sweet song early in the morning eager to embrace the sunlight.

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May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

And rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

 

author, unknown

               

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Start Over

 

When a month winds down we look back on the last several weeks with mixed reviews. There is the satisfaction that things went mostly well or the knowledge that the wear and tear, dissapointments and surprises made you stronger perhaps more sensitive and smarter. Sometimes we reflect with regret, eager to be done with those days we thought would never end. We look forward to fresh starts, yet more opportunities to begin again, your own wonderous evolution continues. It is well within our scope and necessary to grow, begin anew over and over again to improve upon to enhance, lift-up and bring about the appropriate changes necessary to be happy and healthy, better equipped to be a blessing to others.

To realize what a waste of time and energy is involved with fretting, losing yourself to despair and doubt and feelings of inadequacy, is to be assured that better things are ahead, new ways of doing things important lessons have taught us and feel good about who you are, how you are doing and where you are going.

At the end of the day, the week the month we find that life is so much more doable when one's attitude is in a positive place, when we are encouraged by our own thoughts, efforts and resolve to make our time and place in the world a good thing and better because we are here.

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Four Letter Word

LOVE... and MARK, but Mark is a name, a name that comes-up often, as if you were just across town. You actually seem closer to us than ever, about as close as our own heartbeat. We do miss your physical presence terribly, of course we knew the moment God called you to be where you are- we knew where you were going and where you will be.

Mark's exists in Heaven which transcends time and space, in a state of perfection, peace, privilege, power. I keep you near and still feel connected to you. It's quite something, the dimensions stretch far beyond what I can describe adequately. Never the less I am blessed with love in my life, precious family and friends in addition to good doggie dogs who keep my heart full, my faith comforts me indeed.Yes, my faith works full time blessing me even in the middle of uncertainties and insecurities, flaws and frailties.

I walk and talk and carry-on with the presence of the Holy Spirit. I am reassured of the grace available over and under the big top of LIFE, another four-letter word found in every molecule, every cell, every drop, drip, drama, trauma, tremendous triumphant moment of life. I have been bestowed the knowledge and awareness of love, the pure essential nature of it, the gift of love be it in giving or receiving is sacred and always necessary.
                                
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2013

Right out of the gates this year begins with big challenges for a humanity that craves compassion but expresses it's restlessness in cruel and hateful ways. Politics, religion, spirtuality, economics, our precious planet... struggles to find the balance, to rediscover our way through the harshness, sadness, the cold climate of life gets to be a bit much when the quality let alone dignity of life is compromised.

If we are fortunate enough we are blessed with eachother, someone, people who give a damn. We hope for a kind world, a good life, happy, healthy, peaceful and safe. We pray that somewhere in the middle of the chaos, the warmth of the Holy Spirit awaits at the center,  always there, the alpha and the omega, the light in the darkness, the love that is stronger than hate, the broken heart that heals quietly and emerges better, beyond recognition to heights never imagined, to places of wonder, simple wisdom and impassioned desire to be blessed and a blessing.

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Goodbye, Hello

So long 2012, it's been a nice year, good things happening, simple, quiet times, news of catastrophe, devastation and humanity at it's worst and best. Life is quite something to behold, death even more unsettling in all it's mysteries.

 

I hold on to hope for a happy new year, continued blessings, the comforts I've known should be bestowed upon everyone, love and care, a warm bed, people are fed, blessed and a blessing, assured that tomorrow will be full of everything good. I pray for peace in a world full of storms and uncertainty, for comfort and joy for the ones who need it the most.

 

Let's take a deep breath and plunge into next year. God bless you 2013!

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Christmas 2012

Prayed the Our Father, Hail Mary, sang Silent Night, shed some cold tears, warm laughs and held on to each other as we remembered you many times enjoying this time of year surrounded by your family and friends. We love you and hold on to your joy, your love, your grace and goodness.

I recall simple years, mom hovering over us with her love. She baked biscochito's, those red & green log cookies and let us go nuts decorating the various shaped cookies, there was a bell, star, Santa Claus, loved the chile relleno balls, the chicharones she made from the left over chops for the pasole.

 It's A Wonderful Life on TV, or Miracle On 63rd St, White Christmas or The Bells of St Mary's. Midnight Mass, the excitement, wonder and love, always priceless, magic of a miraculous nature. It happened that we shared many sweet, simple, life changing and heart warming moments. I hold on to a lot of it, the day in  day out stuff,  the extra special experiences we shared are still a part of me ☼ 

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New Day

It is a new way to live, to enjoy blessings, be a better person, share your love, joy, everything good and good for you, me, them, us. We look for answers our questions will never know, we look for comfort from discontent, we crave a soft, safe, forgiving place to land at the end of the day.

In the middle of it all, are heart stopping, mind expanding, jaw dropping moments that only tears can address, a hardy laugh can complete and a good sweat can satisfy. Among the absurdities, tragedies, triumphs and day in day out experiences our heart strings are pulled and trigger any number of emotional responses however appropriate or irrational as it can be. Experiences do define the world to us in such a way that everything might seem hopeless, beyond understanding while other times seem to simply melt into the next.

The day flies by or simply seems suspended in time while the night moves about quickly or in slow motion depending on what's going on. It is out of our hands, yes, much of it, yet very much within our scope and capacity to bring about all the love, peace, joy and comfort in and outside the world, universe, cosmos, existence.

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Yes ~ LOVE Lift Us Up ♫

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Time Traveler

Time rolls on like a long winding road,  at night car lights line the road one after the other like a string of pearls unraveling down the hill. The sky is clear as the stratosphere shines a spotlight on the moon. The glow is dramatic and powerful, the purest form of art, comforting and sweet.  Creatures stir, stars fall, the traveler waits and watches for moments of brilliance to flash across the horizon like a wonderful surprise.

Daylight captures the landscape, it is a diverse terrain draped in hills, peaks and plateau's. The trip includes risks and challenges with intermittent overcast skies,  quiet precedes the storm, it pounds the pavement and dances across the dashboard as the sun waits patiently to dry it out and illuminate the sky with it's radiance. The journey melts into miles of unpaved and rocky places, relief awaits just around the next corner.

The path may be perilous, mysterious, uncharted and requires safety precautions, good directions, perhaps a map. Move toward the way of least resistance to the area's that best suite you and your mode of transportation. Move forward with faith, follow what speaks to you, calls out your name and feels right, comfortable and makes you glad you took the route you did.

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Peaceful Place

To find a place where only love and peace reside is to immerse oneself into a calm state of mind, it is accessible at all times and can be found at the center of our consciousness in our heart and soul. Peace of mind comes with resolve to settle into a quiet condition, it becomes more important and necessary when a pressurized, stress-filled world would rather steal our attention.

The effort to control negative reaction presents more of a challenge than one might have the power and presence of the mind to cultivate. Our willingness to simply be aware of a moment of frustration or confusion, determines the outcome of the moment even if the best reaction is to do nothing more than breathe, calm down and keep in check emotionally. Easier said than done perhaps but a worthwhile practice, as the pace of life quickens more with each passing day, it is essential to the quality of life and each individuals own responsibility to promote peace. To maintain with deliberate intention, in as much as we are capable of doing, to go forth bearing a positive mind set.

If in our way of proceeding in and processing life, everything becomes negative based and we become carelessly reactive we tend to be unhappy, inpatient people. If our attitude is more a blending of good intentions, respect, kindness, compassion, patience, then we become the person we wish everyone were. At the end of the day we receive what we give. We, as vulnerable fragile individuals become strong in our own awareness of what is truly necessary and fundamentally right and aligned with a perfect, powerful place of privilege. We become stronger and more stoic in our pursuit of peace and happiness. We are a blessing and not a burden unto ourselves nor those we encounter by happenstance or nearest to us.

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The Miracle of Life

Arlo and big sister, Maleah 10.24.12

WOW!!! and I mean WOW! Had the great privilege of witnessing the birth of your third grandchild last night! Naturally baby Arlo is about as precious and perfectly wonderful as can be. Maria Elena and Arlo are blessed with one another and Modi's first born, Maleah. She has that same bear cub quality to her that your own three lil bears possess. Nancy is beaming and was almost ready to pull baby Arlo out herself, to say she was eager to see her hito is an understatement! Uncle Marky and Auntie Sophia are all about the love and affection for sister.

Love is at the forefront of this occasion, we miss you more than words can say yet we are happy to acknowledge your spiritual presence. Here is how our lives carry-on, in spirit, mind and body, we connect, we share the past, the present and the future. We are people brought together by divine appointment to love one another, to experience the times of our lives.

Blessings abound.

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Compassion

One suffers another one celebrates.
One goes missing, taken from the comfort of their own familiar place,
fear and isolation ensues and suddenly becomes a scathing reality.

No one even knows where to look,
while another one shows-up in grand fashion, fabulous and fulfilled. 

Eye's twinkle like stars, shine with light and love, eager to take on the next exciting, mind expanding image. Eyes go blank, blurred with despair,
doubt consumes a clear vision and distorts the view, desperation and disappointment
take hold as the eyes have seen too much for the heart and soul to bear.

 

We wonder how life can be so wonderful, smooth, sweet,
glorious, breathtaking and triumphant

when the harsh realities of others are profoundly rough and unfair,
fraught with misery like an out of control wild fire wrecks havoc,
leaving only the remnants of what was once a peaceful and comfortable existence.

 

To find your place in the world, to belong, go and come and do as you please with little to no regard for your safety, your freedom, your overall well being and security-
what everyone desires, wishes and hopes for.
But not everyone can obtain even the simplest conveniences without a struggle.

It is wise and recommended then to appreciate the comforts of life, the resources available with access to people we love and who love and care for us.

 

Humankind's presence on this earthly plane is magnificent, mysterious, merciless, meager and mighty. At once fragile, resilient, precious, precarious and puny
as anything known or unknown unto itself. 

 

Does compassion matter? Who will consider and understand anothers pain? 

To be better people in the name of surviving a hurting, hateful world, one attempts through action, prayer, humility and sensitivity to understand the urgent need for respect and kindness toward one another and others who do not even know what it is to be loved and cherished, acknowledged and take part in everything good, happy and healthy.
We must come and go in peace.

 

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Happy Birthday!

This candle has been lit all day in remembrance of you.

Happy Birthday to you dear Mark, Happy Birthday to you!

We remember you with love, with longing, but mostly with a good feeling about the great memories of birthday celebrations whether low key or of the hell raising variety where we laughed like there was no tomorrow.

 

We hold on to what we can, to each other, your great spirit, the joy and heart tugging, mind blowing moments, twin times meant for only Mark and Mary and those let in on the malarkey and locked in our memory banks and will be remembered endearingly forever.

 

Here's to life, here's to Mark,  the goodness that remains and is still thought of with much love.

 

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The Whole World

No where to run, no where to hide, the whole world is exposed and vulnerable to hate, injustice, tyranny, the abuse and hostility of others. We can only hope for love, peace and justice to prevail. We can only hope for our safety and for freedom to endure, for safety from those who would rather see others suffer than to live in peace and seek the preservation of goodness and respect for precious life.

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Love Remembers

Pretty simple song actually, it speaks of the staying power of love, from the cradle to the grave & beyond. This 1993 George Benson song became a personel anthem during the time of Mark's death in June, 1994. It is still reassuring to know that "Love Remembers what we forget, love remembers, every little thing".

Love Remembers People come and people go
They touch our lives and never know...
~
But all you can be sure
While you're regretting (you can be sure)
What you're forgetting
~
Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
~
Love remembers
What you forget
(love remembers)
Love remembers
(love remembers)
What you forget
(love remembers)

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Summer Olympics 2012

The 2012 Summer Olympics are on which means several sports competitions are showcased as athletes from all around the world, in their finest form compete to determine who is the best of the best. The nail biting, heart stopping, jaw dropping display of determination, focus, athleticism, will and passion are brought to the forefront of the world. Kids are motivated to follow in the fleet footed steps of the Olympic athletes, adults watch with excitement and pride as their countrymen and women represent their respective countries.

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Simple Summer Fun

During the long hot day's of summer, Mark and I devised different way's of competing with one another to test our agility and our fine and gross motor skills. Fist-a-cuff's sometimes ensued when we got carried away and too competitive.  We enjoyed turning anything into a contest; who could drink a glass of water without taking a breath, who could stand on one leg the longest, who could go the longest without blinking. We were always attempting to better our personal records in such things as tossing the baseball, mush ball, football, birdie, Frisbee or whatever, without dropping it. An easy toss often turned into a hard throw at close range, to make it more of a challenge, back and forth, volleying the object in the air. We were typically disgusted with the one who dropped the ball but quickly started another round again to see how many times we could keep it alive and in the air.
Many a summer we set-up an obstacle course in the backyard. The mostly harmless friendly matches of stamina, agility, strength, balance, hand to eye coordination and over all athleticism kept us occupied for good little chunks of time and if anyone else wanted in on the action, we would turn the  games of speed and endurance into tournaments, with brackets for elimination rounds and all.
Those were the dog day's of summer which also included tremendous fun at Johnson Gym, The YMCA or some other public or private swimming pool, a few season tickets to watch Albuquerque Dukes Baseball was a treat and if the game was a sleeper, we could usually count on some knuckle head(s) in the crowd to provide us with fodder for our colorful commentary and mocking purposes, not insulting to their face or looking for trouble in anyway, merely material if you will, for our own inside amusement and entertainment.

We hung around the house foot loose and fancy free enjoying the summer's off from school, happy to create our own activities after doing chores, maybe get lost in playing cards or board games if it was too hot outside. Whatever we did, it usually included plenty of malarkey, sass and good laughs. We tried to squeeze out every drop of summer vacation we could during those long day's of summer, simple stuff, goofing off, thinking of fun things to do until the days seemed to close-in on us, the minute the advertisements for school supplies began surfacing.
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The 4th of July represents America's Declaration of Independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. It is a national holiday and a time to celebrate our freedom, a human right which comes with a high price tag and too often costs the lives of those whose only intention was and is; to maintain our freedom and Independence from tyranny.

The history of the United States is as fascinating as it is sad, it is as exciting as it is painful. Tumultuous times as well as triumphant moments have created this great nation and still now, more than ever this land and it's people struggle to maintain certain civil liberties, justice and the pursuit of happiness for all.
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Mark My Words

People remembering you today Mark, Marky, Mark of Mark & The Markers, brother, brudder, fart face, mom's monkey-faced son, friend, foe, faithful and loyal beyond any doubt- twin brother.

I figured you would remain a prominent figure in my life based on being from the same family and being each other's twin.. of course it was a must from the get go, it had to be.

Rheumatoid arthritis wrecked havoc on your once athletic, strong, healthy body, your mind was always in tact as your great spirit lives on, with all the strength of the mightiest of warriors.

Your physical body could only take so many underhanded blows, it was a tough fight, knock down drag-out, get-up again and again, noble and gallant. It was a match of epic proportions, all out warfare and you were a formidable contender, to the bitter end. You duked it out like an undisputed world champion and still hold a world title for being the person you were and will be remembered for.

May you rest peacefully, powerfully, perfectly for all eternity and always remain part of us.

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Memorial Day

Memories rush upon us on day's like this,
it is right and necessary that we remember those who sacraficed their own lives
so that other's could live peacefully.

It is a day where memories of the past make us who we are today.

Memorial Day is taken to heart by the one's who know the pain of grief and loss. 

With love and memories of our dearly departed,
we carry on and never forget the important,

priceless things that really matter,
 and remain locked in our hearts and souls forever.

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Contact

Want to say; You are the best of people,  you are light, love, everything good. I pray, you are in a blessed and sacred place of a pure and holy spirit. You are free and will remain somewhere beyond the dawn of time and nearer than my own heartbeat, places only the depth of our souls fathom. I connect with you in such a way that can not adaquately be described. Your mother, wife, children, other brothers and sisters, other people past and present, who love you... would say; they connect with you in wonderful special ways, and share important history with you too.

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LIFE

It's been an interesting ride April, actually smooth as butter compared to much rougher rides going on out there. Thank you, for every day and night of it. Many reports of death, through illness, accidental, physical complications of life, people sick and tired or simply life that has run it's course  ~ Conversely, word of new birth and celebrations of life are brought to light. Right in front of our eyes, in the epicenter of our heart, at the core of our being; it is life's entrance and exit that stirs our soul the most, powerful emotions surface. The introduction can be as dramatic as the roar of a lion or as quiet as the purr of a kitten. 

Life and death, the beginning and the end remain mysterious, magnificant, miraculous, prompts one to consider again from whence we came and our own departure from this earthly plain.

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Sometimes life seems overwhelming, when the triumph's prompt elation and you feel like your heart could burst as it swells with joy, tears well-up and all you can do is let your eye's release the overflow.  When pain, grief and despair surface, we feel overcome as if it is simply too much to bare. Try as we may to be strong, brave, forge-on, it is worth considering the path of least resistance and let yourself go through it, take on times of upheaval, uncomfortable change, internal or external negativity. If need be;  cry it out, laugh it out, sweat it out, hug it out, try tho' to make it right, write about it and ride it out. Do for yourself whatever it takes to get past, through, up and around the blows and woe's of life.

All things pass, this too, whether it is life at it's best or at it's worst, whether our hearts are full of love, delight,  fire, desire, darkness, passion, profound sadness, music, merriment, moments of madness or complete chaos... it passes into the next moment, the next experience and emotion which make us who we are and creates the memories- good or bad, the miracles, wonder and times of our lives. 
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SPRING

People seem to walk with a little extra bounce in their step during the Spring. The promise of  good things to come taps the shoulder of Winter, wanting to take the reigns and replace the biting cold days with temperatures more conducive to creating good moods. The great outdoors hearkens after strong blowing winds stormed and settled in like a bull in a china shop.

Life changes with a subtle sweetness or with obnoxious abandon. Humankind continues to evolve, some take to changes smoothly while others struggle to find their rhythm, recalibrate then synchronize with the natural ebb and flow of this wild, wonderful world.  All the day in, day out, goings on, make us who we are, what and where we are meant to be and when. Time and space transition into the next phase to complete the cycle in accordance with our place and purpose in the heavens.

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"... however measured, or far away."

"If a man loses pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured, or far away. "  ~ Henry David Thoreau (American essayist, poet and practical philosopher) 7.12.1817 - 5.6.1862 
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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.

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♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

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.

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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.  

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