Kindness without judgement

The only person who can know the absolute truth about you is you. Be kind even if you are judged for it. It doesn't matter what "people" think of you. If you are kind to someone, they will always try to put you down, their unhappy minds will always think the worst of you. Don't let that get you down. You know who you are!

I miss my little man.

Hey little dude, I miss you so much! I hope you are having a

great time in NY and that you can come and

visit really soon. Love you lots!!!!

Fun day in Troutdale

Me and my best friend having a great afternoon in Troutdale, OR.

"No dogs in Heaven"

 

An old man and his dog were walking down a hot, dusty road lined with a beautiful white fence on both sides. As they walked along, the old man and his dog became very thirsty and tired.

Soon, they came to a gate in the fence where, on the other side, they saw a nice grassy, wooded area surrounding a cool clear pool of fresh water. "Just where a thirsty 'huntin' dog and a man would like to rest!" thought the old man. But there was a sign over the gate that read "No Dogs" so they walked on.

Further on, they came upon a man in flowing white robes standing just inside a strong iron gate across a path that led to a beautiful, sunny meadow with a cool clear stream running through it.

"'Scuse me Sir," said the old man, "My dog and I have been on this road all day. Mind if we come in and sit in the shade for awhile?" "Of course!" The man said. "Come on in and rest. You look thirsty and tired." The old man said, "We sure are!" and started through the gate with his dog.

The gatekeeper stopped him. "Sorry, you can come in but your dog can't come with you. "You see, this is Heaven, and dogs aren't allowed here. He has to stay out here on the road." "What kind of Heaven won't allow dogs?" said the old man. "Well, if he can't come in, then I'll stay out here on the road with him. He's been my faithful companion all his life and I won't desert him now."

"Suit yourself," said the gatekeeper, "but I have to warn you, the Devil's on this road and he'll try to sweet talk you into his place. He'll promise you anything, but dogs can't go there either. If you won't leave that dog on the road, you'll spend all Eternity on the road with him. Better if you stay here."

"Well, I'm stayin' with my dog," replied the man and he and the dog walked on. Gradually, the fence became more and more faded and rundown until they finally reached a spot where the boards fell away completely leaving a gap. Another man dressed in old, ragged clothes sat just inside the broken fence under a shady tree.

"'Scuse me Sir," said the old man, "My dog and I have been on this road all day. Mind if we come in and sit in the shade for awhile?" "Of course!" The man said. "Come on in and rest. There's some cold water here under the tree. Make yourself comfortable."

The old man paused, "but what about my dog? Can he can come in, too? The man up the road said dogs weren't allowed here, and they had to stay on the road." The other man answered, "Well, you look pretty tired and thirsty. Would you come in here and rest if you had to leave that dog?"

"No sir!" the old man replied, "A glass of cold water and some shade would be mighty fine right about now but I won't come in if my buddy here can't come too. I didn't go to Heaven because my dog couldn't come with me, so I sure as how ain't about to go to Hell without him neither."

The man smiled and said, "Welcome to Heaven, and bring your dog!" The old man exclaimed, "You mean this is Heaven? And my dog can come with me? Then why did that fellow down the road say they weren't allowed in Heaven?" The man replied, "That was the Devil and he gets all the souls who are willing to give up a life-long companion for small comfort because they think it will make their lives a little easier."

The man continued, "They soon find out their mistake, but, then it's too late. The dogs come here, the fickle people stay there. God wouldn't allow dogs to be banned from Heaven. After all, He created them to be man's companions in life, why would he separate them in death?"

- Story is based on an episode of The Twilight Zone by Rod Serling-

That's how I roll now...

Gratitude

It's been a long time...but I'm here. Just wanted to express some gratitude. I have so many things to be thankful for. First of all, I'm so thankful for this wonderful place which I live in. Everyday I wake up and look outside and I'm speechless. The smell of trees, the green, the sound of birds chirping...I love it here so much!  I'm thankful for my husband who works hard so I don't have to and also for all the things he does for me. I'm thankful for my son Danny for thanking me after every single meal I prepare for him. He comes and kisses me on the cheek and says Mae, thank you for this food. I'm also thankful for my son Andre who watches movies with me, who goes to the supermarket with me to carry all the heavy stuff that I can't carry. My kids teach me so much. I'm incredibly grateful for my two wonderful pets who make my life so full and made me realize how important animals are in our lives. They stood by me in difficult times, they showed me love when I was despaired, in return I volunteered countless hours in my local shelter and soon I'll foster pets in need. It was in my time of need that I painfully realized who my real friends are. It was then that I saw the true nature of people.  Now I'm grateful for seeing things in a different way for having my eyes wide opened. I'm grateful for my health even though I have some back issues ,overall I'm ok. I can take my dog to the dog park and go on long walks, and to me this is therapy. Tomorrow, I'll start the day cooking a marvelous meal for my family, I'll go on a wonderful walk with my loyal and loving dog and I'll thank God for my life. My inner happiness is coming back.

At the farmer's market

I love this place!

I'm at the weekly farmer's market where i buy tons of fresh and organic fruits and veggies.

This is so amazing to me.

New life

I'm so relieved to be here in this new place! A well deserved beginning. Time to rethink my life , my beliefs and who I really am. I feel like I was in a bubble and couldn't get out... It's when you go through really hard times in your life that you find out who really matters and who are the people who love you. People reveal themselves. You see the real and the fake. I'm very disappointed at a lot of people but it's all part of life. Masks fell off. Life is hard and we're here to grow. I'm growing. I'm grateful for this new opportunity. God is looking out for my family and I can see his hand on my life. I hope I can make a difference here, that my life means something. I have a purpose and I know why I'm here. I'm awake!

Tia Neuza em Utah

Mes passado eu tive o prazer de receber a Tia Neuza na minha casa, foi bom ter a visita dela. Nos passeamos, conversamos muito, demos muitas risadas. Aqui estao umas fotos dos nossos passeios pelo supermercado e tambem nosso almoco no Red Lobster. Beijos Tia!

My son Danny

This is my genius son Danny, he teaches me lessons everyday.

He is so far ahead from where I was at his age. 

It amazes me how his generation is different.

They will not tolerate prejudice, they fight for what's right.

They won't tolerate arrogance or self righteousness.

I'm thankful for my wonderful son, for opening my eyes about so many things.

I am a better person because of him. Love you son!

Even with all the grumpiness of your teenage years.