On Saturday, May 7, 2011, family and friends gathered at home to celebrate my graduation. I had accomplished one of my longest dreams --- to complete my bachelors’ degree. I graduated from the University of Central Florida. It was overwhelming to see so many people dear to my heart celebrating this special moment with me. My father and mother had not seen each other for over 10 years, my aunt Flor, (who never leaves Miami), was there too, brothers in law, family from Ohio, Michigan, Puerto Rico and Miami and dear friends all together cheering my achievement.
Another of my life dreams had been to visit Europe. The first time the opportunity emerged was in 1973 when my sister Noemy decided to wait for the following year so that we could travel together to Europe as our parents “Quinceaneros” birthday gift but, she fell in love and I entered college and we never talked about the trip again. 15 years later, my father invited me to go to Spain in October 1998. In September, a hurricane hit the island of Puerto Rico and he fell, breaking his ankle, to what we had to cancel the trip. Now 13 years later, as a graduation gift, my 4 children had come together to send me to Spain for 2 weeks, leaving from Miami on Friday, May 13th.
Sunday, May 8th we celebrated Mothers Day together. Everyone was happy. At one point during the lunch, David read the most beautiful letter celebrating my motherhood. The outpouring of love from and to one another was overpowering. I remember telling my mother that God’s presence was so evident amongst us. I also told her that this great joy and love I felt in my heart and soul was bigger than I had ever felt before, that it was not just for me. It was so overwhelmingly wonderful I couldn’t express the experience. She responded that she understood for she was feeling the same way. She also mentioned that David had invited her to go with him to visit Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. We celebrated, we laughed together, and ate all Saturday and Sunday. On Monday May 9th, everyone drove to Miami for a day or two before returning to their home state. I stayed home with my father who was now living permanently with me in Central Florida, which had also been my dream from the time he and my mother had separated 2 decades ago.
God is an awesome God… he surrounded and filled us with the joy and strength that love can produce to give us the fortitude and hope we would need in the days ahead.
(Romans 12:5; Phil: 2:1-2)
Another of my life dreams had been to visit Europe. The first time the opportunity emerged was in 1973 when my sister Noemy decided to wait for the following year so that we could travel together to Europe as our parents “Quinceaneros” birthday gift but, she fell in love and I entered college and we never talked about the trip again. 15 years later, my father invited me to go to Spain in October 1998. In September, a hurricane hit the island of Puerto Rico and he fell, breaking his ankle, to what we had to cancel the trip. Now 13 years later, as a graduation gift, my 4 children had come together to send me to Spain for 2 weeks, leaving from Miami on Friday, May 13th.
Sunday, May 8th we celebrated Mothers Day together. Everyone was happy. At one point during the lunch, David read the most beautiful letter celebrating my motherhood. The outpouring of love from and to one another was overpowering. I remember telling my mother that God’s presence was so evident amongst us. I also told her that this great joy and love I felt in my heart and soul was bigger than I had ever felt before, that it was not just for me. It was so overwhelmingly wonderful I couldn’t express the experience. She responded that she understood for she was feeling the same way. She also mentioned that David had invited her to go with him to visit Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. We celebrated, we laughed together, and ate all Saturday and Sunday. On Monday May 9th, everyone drove to Miami for a day or two before returning to their home state. I stayed home with my father who was now living permanently with me in Central Florida, which had also been my dream from the time he and my mother had separated 2 decades ago.
God is an awesome God… he surrounded and filled us with the joy and strength that love can produce to give us the fortitude and hope we would need in the days ahead.
(Romans 12:5; Phil: 2:1-2)
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