Photo 234 - Bella TB '04

Almost 10 years ago…. look at this beauty!

Photo 229 - Ronan TB Easter Birthday '06

Today is Ronan's 14th Birthday!!!

This was eight years ago, almost to the day….

Happy Birthday, Dear Nephew!

Photo 228 - Good Friday - TB '05

Happy Good Friday!

Taken in Rincon, PR '05

Photo 141 - A Gift From My Mommy.

My mother would have been 68 years old today. She celebrated her last birthday 25 years ago this day (just six days before she passed away). A life taken way too early.

She also celebrated her 18th birthday the day MLK delivered his speech 50 years ago today. So many moments in history that have so much meaning.

So many questions flood my head about my mother, especially what it would be like, if she were still here. "I bet she'd still be so beautiful" my grandmother (her mother) says. "She would be traveling all over the world taking care of her kids!" my sister says.

I agree with them both - she'd keep being the beautiful person inside and out that she was. Always a genuine, grateful, caring and giving person…. she'd be doing something good. I'm sure of it.

Below is one of the only photos I personally ever took of my mom. I remember this moment so vividly…. having saved up to buy her the alarm clock she had mentioned she wanted for Christmas, I was so excited to give it to her and see her reaction. My heart filled with joy as she expressed gratitude for the gift that I had given her.

It was then that I also realized that giving was better than receiving. Something my mother lived by - giving so much for her children and family all-day, every day that she lived on this earth.

This lesson was the biggest gift she ever gave to me.

Christmas Eve - 1986(?)