Life

... goes by way too fast. It would be so wonderful if all of us lived each minute of the day with excitment and spend our time in a wise maner,... as if today was the last day of our life.

Life is good; life is hard; life is laughs and cries; life is a roalercoaster, with it's typical ups and downs. And life is fragile... so live it the best way you possibly can.

April 25th, 1974

If you're portuguese, this date means a lot to you, as it does to me.

This was the day that the people, tired of years of dictarorship, flooded the streets with determination, strenght, titles of freedom and red carnations. A revolution had taken place, and no one was to stop these mighty man and women to accomplish what they had been working for for so long: freedom. This day changed the history of our country, because of those brave, unforgetable people, that fought for the most tresured gift on on Earth: the gift of choosing for themselves.

My father was among those men.

I wish I could be there when he came home that night; to see his smile, the feeling of accomplishment; to see them hug my mom and my brother and sisters; to watch them weep of happiness.

The next morning everyone welcomed the new spirit of the land. We were now a free country, and the portuguese people could choose their leaders; they could talk without fear, they could go where they pleased, they could worship God however they wished. They welcomed new ideas, new religions, new perspectives. All this was such a blessing to my father! He couldn't be happier.... but still, there was something else we welcomed even more that day.

On this very first day of new begginings, he welcomed me in his arms.

And that, I wish I could remember too. The way he held me, the way he probably told me all the events of the day before. Oh, how I wish I had a memory of that!

Every year on this day, the 26th, my heart aches a bit. I always want to hug him and celebrate freedom with him; I want to thank him for being such a big political influence in that marvelous revolution. I want to look at him and tell him how I love him.

My father only got to celebrate April 25th one year. On May of 1975, he died on a tragic car accident. And even though I don't have a single memory of him, I get to share this legacy... and my heart has a place that belongs just to him.

I love you dad.

Home.

when words fail... pics.

My valentine

If you know me for over a year, you know I get all mushy gushy on velentine's day.

I knew she was special the moment I found out I was pregnant. I don't know; just a feeling you get that tells you you're carrying someone extra special inside you. When she was born, after 22 hours of labor, almost 4 hours of pushing, a handfull of doctors and even more nurses, the hospital's head surgeon coming in, grabbing the forceps and getting her out of there asap, everyone clapped. I didn't really realize that we had both been in danger until much later.

She's nine today. Nine. Where did eight go?

She has grown into a beautiful, smart young girl; we've had our share of trials and still deal with asthma and Tourette's syndrome. But everyday I look in her eyes and see heaven. She is kind, gentle, considerate, and everyone that meets her gets a glimpse of her enchantment and falls in love with her.

Happy birthday Valentine!

Some pics

Portugal

First off, Hi Corey! :)
Thanks for your concern. I apologize it has taken me so long!

We are all doing well. It has been a busy 6 months. I know I need to sit down and tell you guys all the details, but yeah, you guessed, it won't be today. :p

I still don't have a computer (oddly enough, you can survive without one), so it becomes hard to find a quiet place to sit and settle ideas and thoughts to give you the whole scoop. I just wanted you to know that I haven't forgotten you.

The kids are doing great. They just blossomed so much these past months! Nicolas (5) came out of his shell and is going to preschool in the mornings. We keep reminding him that we need to speak english at home; this is a true miracle, lol. He always knew portuguese but was stubborn in the US and would not speak it. Now he won't stop. It reminds me of the donkey in "Shreck", when the princess discovers he can talk, and Shreck tells her that that's not a big deal, hard is to make him stop talking. Oh boy, I'm comparing my son to a donkey. Forgive my line of thinking. I'm so proud of him, he just beams everytime he accomplishes something new, and I stand in awe watching him grow!

Suzana will be 9 on the 14th. Oh my sweet valentine! Where has the time gone? She is a joy; she is loved by everyone that meets her. Her energy and enthusiasm for life is contagious, and one can't help but being happy when she's around. She's in 3rd grade; loves school, her teacher and friends, complains only about homework; but then again, who likes homework?

It's hard to me to pic a topic and write, since so much has happened. So, what about you choose the topic for my next blog entry? It will be easier for me that way.

I miss you guys, my cyberfriends. I hope I can get going again and catch up on your lives too!

Love to all!

Bela