The Delmarva Peninsula is located on the east coast, made up of 14 counties which include the eastern shore portions of Maryland and Virginia, along with the state of Delaware.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
A Homegoing Celebration | Goodbye, Mr. Sanchez
It's difficult to put into words just what attending Mr. Sanchez's service was like yesterday. It was something I don't believe many of us have experienced but it was a beautiful ceremony for a man who was so loved. What people gathered to say about him; the words that his. friends and family reached for to tell his story; those are the things that speak to a life lived for others. I didn't think it was possible to hear the word kindness used so often while describing a person, but it was unarguably the most fitting.
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Sierra's Story
Sierra was born with a congenital heart defect, Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA), and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). She bravely battled two open heart surgeries before the age of one. Over the next few years Sierra led a happy, fun filled life, doing everything all children her age love to do.
Then on April 14, 2011 as she glided gracefully up and down the lacrosse field, her life changed forever. Without warning, Sierra had gone into cardiac arrest and had collapsed on the field. If not for a couple of off duty nurses who performed CPR, her life could have been cut tragically short. Sierra was rushed to the hospital, and over the next few weeks she was consumed by tests and studies to find out what was wrong. Doctors at AI DuPont Hospital determined that she had a compressed left main coronary artery, and a pulmonary valve insufficiency.
After recovering from
Sunday, October 25, 2015
The Hungarian Revolution 1956 | Coming to America
June 17th, 2015
My dad has been gone for twenty years now....and it takes my breath away to say that. I cannot believe it's been two decades since he left us. He passed one week after his 60th birthday; due in part I think to a difficult life and a sadness inside of him he could never heal. My father left a war-torn country at his parents urging; they had lost everything and knew their son was young enough to make a new life in a free land. He arrived here with almost nothing, possessing only the sponsorship from a distant relative in the US which made the journey possible.
Louis did the opposite of what so many these days do. He worked four jobs to put himself through college and then grad school. He studied hard, learned flawless English and was so very proud of becoming an American citizen. While in school in California he met my mother and they married, just as he was offered a job with the government in Washington, DC. For almost 30 years dad was an economist for the US Commerce Department, living in the suburbs of northern Virginia. It was everything that one may have thought "the American dream" was.
Dad spoke little of his past, hesitating to go back to that painful time when Communists overtook their country. His own father died in prison and although we returned to "the homeland" many times it was never easy for him to accept what had happened. Sadly, as an adult now I can see the effects that life had on him and realize that so much sadness and loss was buried inside someone who could rarely speak about it. Sixty years and one week is such a short life....I was only 22 when I had to say goodbye.
There are right ways and wrong ways of doing things and although I say little about it, it hurts to see the freedom of this country taken advantage of. My dad embraced what America stood for, placed lights in the windows during the Iran hostage crisis and cried like a baby when they were released. Despite not being born here he had more patriotic spirit than so many. To this day, to me, it is a slap in the face to see how people disrespect our flag and nation. When you come from nothing perhaps you appreciate things more....I learned so much from my father. I just wish there had been more time.
My dad has been gone for twenty years now....and it takes my breath away to say that. I cannot believe it's been two decades since he left us. He passed one week after his 60th birthday; due in part I think to a difficult life and a sadness inside of him he could never heal. My father left a war-torn country at his parents urging; they had lost everything and knew their son was young enough to make a new life in a free land. He arrived here with almost nothing, possessing only the sponsorship from a distant relative in the US which made the journey possible.
Louis did the opposite of what so many these days do. He worked four jobs to put himself through college and then grad school. He studied hard, learned flawless English and was so very proud of becoming an American citizen. While in school in California he met my mother and they married, just as he was offered a job with the government in Washington, DC. For almost 30 years dad was an economist for the US Commerce Department, living in the suburbs of northern Virginia. It was everything that one may have thought "the American dream" was.
Dad spoke little of his past, hesitating to go back to that painful time when Communists overtook their country. His own father died in prison and although we returned to "the homeland" many times it was never easy for him to accept what had happened. Sadly, as an adult now I can see the effects that life had on him and realize that so much sadness and loss was buried inside someone who could rarely speak about it. Sixty years and one week is such a short life....I was only 22 when I had to say goodbye.
There are right ways and wrong ways of doing things and although I say little about it, it hurts to see the freedom of this country taken advantage of. My dad embraced what America stood for, placed lights in the windows during the Iran hostage crisis and cried like a baby when they were released. Despite not being born here he had more patriotic spirit than so many. To this day, to me, it is a slap in the face to see how people disrespect our flag and nation. When you come from nothing perhaps you appreciate things more....I learned so much from my father. I just wish there had been more time.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
It's been a year
I've been lying on the floor with ice packs all day, trying to squash this headache that's draped across my brain and crawling down my neck. It's been a year since I said goodbye. Twelve months ago I was still struggling to let go - since then a lot has happened but not the things I was hoping for, or that I needed to begin again. Somehow, I seem to have lost my place in the world. I don't fit in anymore and I know so much more than I ever wanted to about people.
I know now that some people can lie - easily and convincingly, and that if you don't see it you might get sucked in. I did, fell for something that wasn't real and believed it "could be" the next step for me after closing those doors - but what I reassured myself was out there as a new adventure and fresh start was just smoke and mirrors.
I realize now that some people let you in their worlds with a clause. Should one thing disturb whatever friendship you may have it's possible for them to just walk, regardless of circumstances. We may all do and say stupid things - some of those actions might take the cake on the scale of inappropriate words - but I'd never cut someone out of my life without a word. Now I know that forgiveness isn't at the core of some hearts and that's been incredible to learn and is something I never saw it coming. Having the ability to screw up is human - to forgive apparently requires something else.
I see that some people stick by you regardless of if you can be of use or benefit to them. The people that you might have casually dismissed as "acquaintances" could be the ones reaching out the hand of kindness. I know that now and am incredibly grateful for so many who came through for me without expecting a thing in return - they turned out to be angels when I thought there was nothing. When you see the quotes about kindness and doing things for others without looking to see what's in it for you....well, that's how it is and should be. No false pretenses.
I'm different and unusual and don't fit in to the traditional norms for a wide variety of reasons. It means I'm still struggling to find my next steps or the new beginning I thought was right around the corner - because twelve months later it's no where to be seen. Despite the good in my life that doesn't fix everything, and I'm getting more desperate each day. Starting to panic and thinking that I may never find my place in this world.
My friend Judy told me a year ago - we discussed it the last time she came to see me - this.
I just can't find the sun right now.
How I'm still feeling - twelve months later......
I know now that some people can lie - easily and convincingly, and that if you don't see it you might get sucked in. I did, fell for something that wasn't real and believed it "could be" the next step for me after closing those doors - but what I reassured myself was out there as a new adventure and fresh start was just smoke and mirrors.
I realize now that some people let you in their worlds with a clause. Should one thing disturb whatever friendship you may have it's possible for them to just walk, regardless of circumstances. We may all do and say stupid things - some of those actions might take the cake on the scale of inappropriate words - but I'd never cut someone out of my life without a word. Now I know that forgiveness isn't at the core of some hearts and that's been incredible to learn and is something I never saw it coming. Having the ability to screw up is human - to forgive apparently requires something else.
I see that some people stick by you regardless of if you can be of use or benefit to them. The people that you might have casually dismissed as "acquaintances" could be the ones reaching out the hand of kindness. I know that now and am incredibly grateful for so many who came through for me without expecting a thing in return - they turned out to be angels when I thought there was nothing. When you see the quotes about kindness and doing things for others without looking to see what's in it for you....well, that's how it is and should be. No false pretenses.
I'm different and unusual and don't fit in to the traditional norms for a wide variety of reasons. It means I'm still struggling to find my next steps or the new beginning I thought was right around the corner - because twelve months later it's no where to be seen. Despite the good in my life that doesn't fix everything, and I'm getting more desperate each day. Starting to panic and thinking that I may never find my place in this world.
My friend Judy told me a year ago - we discussed it the last time she came to see me - this.
I just can't find the sun right now.
How I'm still feeling - twelve months later......
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Eastern Shore Fallen Officer Memorial
This memorial is located in Rhodesdale, Maryland and honors the memory and service of law enforcement from our local counties along the Eastern Shore. Those counties include: Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset, Dorchester, Cecil and also Maryland Natural Resources and Marine Police departments. It was dedicated May 22, 2009.
Names of the fallen officers http://www.mdle.net/espa/memorial.htm
LINKS
http://www.mdle.net/espa/
http://campespa.org/memorial_wall.html
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eastern-Shore-Police-Association/162559170437592
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