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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