maperezstuff

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Finding Strength in Joy Amid Life's Trials

What exactly is joy? I’ve heard it said, “The world didn’t give it to you and the world can’t take it away.” Joy: a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. At least that’s what I read online. Sounds good to me, but I know from experience that pleasure and happiness don’t last. Let’s face it, most of us look to others to please us. We often look to others to make us happy. We also look to…

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"To the world, you are a dad. But to our family, you are the world."

“A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow.”

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Dad: A son’s first hero. A daughter’s first love.

The fathers in my family are affectionately referred to as Dad, Daddy, and Papi. Newsflash: None are perfect! But each one signifies love, courage, provision, and strength. Their eyes glow with purpose. Their smiles melt hearts. Their chest swells with pride. Their callous hands protect. They stand tall with dignity. And their embraces offer comfort and assurance. Yes, they are the pillars of our…

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Beyond the Rubble: Embracing Hope and Healing

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes,the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;that they might be called trees of righteousness,the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3(Photo Credit: forashes.org) How do you find beauty in difficult times? My devotion today is found in Isaiah 61:3. This…

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A Breech Birth Experience

AT 19 YEARS OLD, MY MIND REELING, I tossed and turned and kicked off the covers. I struggled to get out of bed; for the fifth time that night, I floundered toward the bathroom. “Where are you going now?” Donny demanded. ��  I turned the bathroom light on. “Need to go again, Donny.”    “Didn’t you just go?”    “I’m feeling a lot of pressure in my bladder.” How I wished to erase the sneer from his…

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The Shadow Box

At a friend’s suggestion, my husband and I went to see a live performance of The Shadow Box. We were unfamiliar with this Pulitzer Prize-winning 1977 play by Michael Cristofer. In a compelling, 24-hour dramatic triptych, three terminally cancer patients dwell in separate hospice cottages on a hospital’s grounds. They focus on raw emotional struggles in the face of mortality and family…

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Mama

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A Thorn in the Flesh

Recently, I had the opportunity to get away and fly to Miami to visit with loved ones. I met up with my daddy, step-mother, and sister, and stayed with them at a hotel. We enjoyed a wonderful meal at a popular Cuban restaurant. The next day, we planned a fun outing. We met up with one of my brothers, his lovely girlfriend, and my beautiful nieces. While driving there, we heard a thumping noise…

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It's Friday

It did not end at the cross!

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Boy, Oh Boy

February 23, 1982 My consciousness slowly swam up through the wooziness of the anesthesia. “Wake up. You have a healthy, bouncing boy.” Oh boy! A son. His hair was fine—golden brown—eyelashes long, lips full, and he had a slight dimple in his chin. Yep, he definitely was all boy. One look at his privates confirmed the obvious. After having three girls, I didn’t know what “he” was supposed to…

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Times Like This

Any believers out here? Some of you know my story that I published a while back titled, “Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace”. I invite you all to please consider a recent blog post write-up I did about one of the instrumental characters of my journey: https://wp.me/p3iDKm-3yS This dear one knew how to put feet to her prayers! And she touched many, many lives, pointing them to Jesus. I…

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Daggers in the Heart

Loneliness ate away at me. Insecurities consumed my mind. He came home whenever he wanted to. He expected me to ask zero questions. The more I clung to him, the more he shrugged me off like a neglected child. On one dreary evening, in the foyer of our second-story apartment, I leaned on the window wall, glaring down at him sauntering out to another conquest. I felt like my heart had split in…

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Happy Birthday, Mama! 10/10/34 - 5/14/23

#missingmymama

Dear Mama, Just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday in heaven today. I hope you know you are sorely missed. It’s no secret we’ve been through some hard times together. Although you weren’t the perfect mother, I wasn’t the perfect daughter. But perhaps, we were perfect for each other. I pretty much miss everything about you. Never thought I’d say, even your bickering over something or about…

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¡Viva México! 

My baby girl did it again! In honor of my birthday, she made reservations to fly us first class to an all-inclusive Playa del Carmen resort in Cancun! This would be an unforgettable adventure, a perfect celebration of my special day. After we landed, we went through customs; retrieved our luggage, and in no time, our shuttle bus arrived and our five-day mini-vacation commenced – just she and…

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I Miss My Baby Sister

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Embracing the Seasons

I rarely think about my age but the body reminds me whenever I throw my back out or my knee pops. And yes, in the mirror I sometimes notice an extra line here, another wrinkle there, and as I gaze upon certain areas of my physique I find myself wondering, where did “it” go and when did “that” change? From time to time I muse about my early years, having to grow up so fast, and then in my teens…

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Carolyn & Ronnie

I have learned that there are seasons for everything. Emotions are up and down. Friends, relationships, and even marriages may come and go. But God remains constant. I previously blogged an insert out of my book, “Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace”, mentioning Susie’s husband who became my former husband’s uncommon German buddy; a friendship that lasted a lifetime. I witnessed a feat…