When I look in the mirror my heart

stops, I can hear my soul weeping.

I am confused, that is not the image I

expected, certainly not what my brain

anticipated. So many miles I put

between us,

I called, but my subconscious would

change the frequency of the calls with

each passing year. Over a decade and

a half I prevented myself from letting

sand gently tickle my feet, waves relax

my soul, and sea breeze whispers in

my ears. Not able to reflect and re-live

times filled with music, dancing,

learning to love, and learning to enjoy

a colorful culture that despite pitfalls,

obstacles, and oppression, manages to

rise above all and shine, to light up

our path to greatness and show the

sacrifices our ancestors made

so we don’t forget where we come

from and where we have to go.

I look in the mirror once more,

nothing has changed, same image,

now it is staring… I blinked, it is gone.

my dream quickly becomes a

nightmare, the image jumps out of the

mirror and gives chase, I’m not fast

enough.

I am him—He is me, I am cursed!

I am flying, no destination, no horizon,


visibility is very low, I grow tired.

another dream turning nightmare.

same mirror, same image, I ‘m not

running, not scared, never really was.

I turned around to see the image

turning into a beast.

I am no longer him—He is no longer

me. He tries to reach me, tries to talk

to me, he seems to be paralyzed,

frustrated, mute, impotent. I feel sorry

for the beast as he is now powerless,

sad, and alone.

I am flying, I see the horizon, I have a

destination.

I am tired no more… I have a purpose.

BIRTHDAY by Jules

A few years ago, on this date (March 10), there was a birth that, unbeknownst to me would change my life forever. I met her in high school and thought she was stuck up, then ran into her around the neighborhood by chance. We dated a while and decided to get married. We survived the Army, Air Force, temporary assignents as well as remote ones, wars, accidents, etc. She gave me three beautiful, well behaved, down to earth boys. Words cannot describe how proud I am of my wife Anette Maldonado, and how fortunate I am to still be able to be by her side. Happy Birthday Loving Wife, can't imagine my life without you...and don't want to. Love you to the moon and back!

Darkness conquers the light, at least that's what they want us to believe.

Engage the fury you must... It will give you strength, power to generate positive illumination, guidance through the dark paths laid out in front of you.

A stranger is watching, waiting for a chance... Will she help? Will she harm? Time will tell...What a cliche.

Time is not a friend, it is a current we must fight to avoid being pulled into a whirlpool. The harder we try, the deeper we feel. Learn to use the current to get out, learn its rhythm to pull out.

Out in the desert I met a man, he

looked familiar yet it escaped me he

seems friendly but I was cautious, he

didn't say a word still I understood

him...and there was peace. I continued

on my voyage, an atmosphere of the

unknown enveloped the path, where

did it come from? where is it going? I

saw a figure, another man, trees

growing out of the bare sand,

surrounding  us, they blocked the

path. What is going on? I asked the

man,  he shrugged his  shoulders. Rain

is coming I cannot see the man is

fading but I feel reassured that

everything will be alright. He winked,

dissapeared... I feel calm relaxed --

message acknowledged. I was

transported to the city, a true concrete

jungle. I feel close to home although I

don't recognize any of the streets,

buildings, sidewalks. No one around

for directions except for a friendly

face, a soothing smile, a passionate

voice. This time a storm approaches, it

is unescapable, I'm completely blind

and growing desperate. His touch

startles me but I feel comfort, care,

and a promise. My sight returning the

name is gone. Looking around I see all

three together, I joined, where are we

going? We are there...!

Far away in time and place someone remembers a smile on your face, tears running down, sadness - joy - full of emotions.

Far away in time and place someone awaits but does not expect. Keeping eyes and ears open, even after laying down to rest.

Far away in time and place I met my Angels once again. Nothing prepared me for this, not sure if I ever would've been. Emotionally overwhelmed but able to save face, for my Angels are worth it, they are as real as they come appearing in body and soul.

I am forever in their debt,
Love, Loyalty, Respect to real friends who never change.
Real friends, as they never expect anything in return.
Real friends untainted, unadulterated, despite trials and tribulations.

Real Guardian Angels now and forever they are.

Solo naci solo vivo solo morire.

No hay compania, nadie reconoce, a nadie le Importa.

El tempo condena, el tempo no
Explica...no tiene por que.

Todo te acecha, como un tigre esperando pacientemente, es inevitable, ciertamente confuso, que lo mas seguro en la Vida es la Muerte!

Evadela lo mas que quieras, lo mas
Que puedas... Siempre llegara, con certeza y Perfeccion. Con dolor con serenidad sin aliento.

Como vendra?
De veras quieres saber?

No ofendas tu destino, es paciente y tu lo seras...

Siempre llegara por mas que no lo creas.

eres Luz en mi camino siempre alumbrando hacia el frente para no desviarme o perderme.

eres Unica en tu forma de amar, de cultivar paz, serenidad, y fe.    

eres Consejera, identificas mis deficiencias, y me demuestras los pasos debidos para superarme, ser positivo, y salir adelante.

Yo siempre te extranare, pero cada vez que piense en ti, sera con una sonrisa, por que siento tu mirada protegiendonos y te oigo diciendome "acuerdate de lo que te dije..."

This day, (Nov 3) 27 years and 8 months ago (approximately), we got the surprise of a lifetime. We were on the pill but got pregnant regardless. Four and a half months later we get stunned once more although we didn't think that possible, TWINS? I yelled. On November 3, 1991, Homestead AFB, FL, at 4:58 pm Julian blessed our family and at 5:02 pm Dennis completed the blessing and made our family whole. They were a month early, Julian weighed 5lbs 10oz while Dennis weighed only 5lbs, they only spent an extra day in the hospital and came home with us sooner and stronger than we expected. They were born fighters, beating odds and obstacles and exceeding expectations and goals in education, career, and life that continue to make their parents extremely proud and happy...beyond belief!!! Happy Birthday Julian Maldonado and Dennis (Linuz) Maldonado, the best sons anyone can have, I feel really honored to be your father!

I see the butterfly and realize I am morphing.

Essential for its development yet one step closer to its final flight.

A rather short life cycle but plenty of time to fulfill...something not written, something not taught, but something passed on from one generation to another.

The unknown becomes the beautiful, a promise of future beauty above and future beauty below.