Happy 40th Gabo!

Today I'm sharing my brother Paco's blog post regarding (what would have been) our kid-brother Gabo's (RIP) 40th birthday. See here: http://www.mfconsulting.com/blog/archives/000196.html

In the photos he posted, one shows Gabo and my nephew "Paquito" Francisco G. Martinez, who was also prematurely killed by a sniper in Ramadi, Iraq in 2005 at 20 yrs old. The other photo with my mother was taken 2 weeks prior to his death, while on procession at my wedding in 1990. See my previous post about Gabo here: http://spiritualityintheflesh.blogspot.com/2011/10/and-tree-grows-still.html

See this story about Paquito here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4571154

As you may well guess, New Year's Eve since 1990 has always been bittersweet. On one hand is a celebration of his life and the loving being that he was, on the other hand it's a melancholic day for me because of how much I miss him still.

In honor of both: Happy New Year 2013!!
Much Light & Love

Worthy Cause!

Ethiopia Child Sponsorship 

This program provides a child with an entire year of school, including school fees, supplies, uniform, and health care, while also assisting that child's family with a portion of the costs of food, lodging, and other basic necessities for that entire year. This vital program dramatically lessens the pressure for a child to drop out of school to help financially support their family.

These children and families need our support through 2013. This gift will provide lasting dignity, transformation and service to those who need it the most. Each gift will directly impact and improve nutrition, education, medical care, housing and clothing needs of 200 families in the Addis Ababa region of Ethiopia.

Please DONATE to this worthy cause:
http://www.stayclassy.org/events/ethiopia-child-sponsorship-2013/e22226

or to SQ-Foundation here:
https://www.sq-foundation.org/donation/

I thank you in advance!
Namaste

Barcelona Surprise Cruise

So here I am again after a long absence and introspective silence, writing while on board a plane on my way to Barcelona, for a much needed vacation, and in a couple of days also embarking on a cruise. I'll be connecting with the light-network on the 12/12/12 portal from the middle of the Mediterranean. (Yay!)

And what a year it has been for most of us! For me it has been a very challenging year full of peaks, valleys, and standing on the edge of a cliff. At the lowest point of this roller-coaster duality I got to that breaking point were you question everything that previously seemed so clear... and I had a big crisis of faith. But it's never just one tragic thing that triggers such despair. It is the escalation of a multitude of difficulties & hardships that get you to that “enough is enough” moment... the proverbial last straw that breaks the camel's back. Would you believe I even passed a kidney stone last month!? More purging of that which does not belong or serve me anymore. Wasn't I supposed to do this, not that, etc, etc.?? NOPE. There was another plan in the bigger picture for me. Serves me right! After all, didn't I ask to be of service to my fellow men??

“Please God, I cannot take any more of these hardships. Please, at least throw me a bone!”

So... a steak fell on my lap!! When I least expected it. Just when you surrender, and give up, and throw your arms up in the air, and you are left with no alternative but to take it breath by breath, day by day, just BE. There it is: lesson taken & learned! Suddenly it's my time to collect a little of good karma rewards. Enter a new generous and kind angel that is taking me on this idyllic vacation for the 1^st time to the land of my elders: Spain! My first time taking a cruise too! Funny how it all worked properly in perfect alignment and ease. As typical, God works in mysterious and unexpected ways...

My life is full of possibilities again... all in divine timing, even if we don't see it at first sight. I would have never imagined 6 months ago that I was going to have this wonderful trip to Europe at the end of 2012! I am bursting with gratitude....... Day by day!......

Namaste. Love & Thanks!