A Prayer for Remembrance~

Help me, O God,

To understand that when objects in the rearview mirror appear larger than they are, they appear that way not to intimidate me but to get my attention.

Help me to understand that those images looming in my memory are just trying to get me to stop, turn around, and go back to my past, to pick up something that's back there, something that is essential for the journey I am on, something I need if I am to go on any farther.

Help me to remember the love I have received along the way, and to be remembered for the love I have given.

Help me to understand how short that journey is, and slow me down so I don't have to pass any of it by.

And if you grant me the grace of a long life, grant me the greater grace to always remember who I am and who it is that loves me.

by Ken Gire

Ode to a Boy of 7~

JT turned seven,
His eyes all aglow,
Happy to be surrounded by family and toys.

How sweet and beloved,
How handsome and kind,
This little boy is growing up,
Right before my eyes.

You are my inspiration,
You keep me all afloat,
Every time you speak, I listen for every note.

Thoughtful and giving,
Talented and Bright,
Jesus’ darling angel,
Right by my side.

Stay as precious as you are,
Stay as happy as can be,
A wonderful destiny, my child, you will definitely see.

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Happy, blessed birthday to my Sugar Pie Nephew and Godson JT, oh how you make my heart sing, always. I love you! - Masi~

Rakhi: A Thread of Love & Protection~

Eversince I was a little girl, Raksha Bandhan was one of my favorite Indian festivals. Set on a full moon evening, usually in the month of August, all of us girl cousins would go through the process of tying a sacred, intricate, thread around the wrists of our "cousin-brothers", say a blessing/prayer of long life for them while holding up a lamp or candle and moving it in counter-clockwise motion and then putting some rice and powdered red ink on their foreheads. Afterwards, we feed each other sweets and our brothers give us gifts as a token of their commitment to protect us and to love us forever.

The token gifts were usually in the form of cash, which we call karchi. But I would also receive gifts of clothes or jewelry. It's a tradition that has been carried on in our family for years and since then I've introduced some of my closest guy friends to it and they've taken to it quite naturally and seriously.

Today was one of the few times I missed our yearly Rakhi get-together at my aunt's house. My cousin called me up to remind me to go and I was touched by his invitation...He was my childhood buddy and despite our family's ups and downs over the years, we've kept in touch. It reminds me of this quote that says, " A brother shares childhood memories & grown up dreams."

I am grateful for my brothers, all of them, from all walks of life, and various cultures and religions, who have shown me their love, respect and support all these years. I salute you and I pray God's abundance, anointing and wisdom be yours now and always. :)

A Prayer for Awareness~

Thank you, O God,

For seeing beyond the surface of my life
to the child sitting in the mirror.
Thank you for sitting down beside me,
putting your arm around me,
and speaking to me with such tenderness,
such compassion, and such understanding.
Help me to be aware of the pictures in my life
that are everywhere around me and at all times
showing me something I need to see,
telling me something I need to hear,
offering me something I need to receive.
Help me look beyond the surface of those pictures to see windows.
Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to receive
what you are offering me through those windows,
that I might sense what is dear to You
so that it might become what is dear to me. . .

by Ken Gire

For Mama Rosie on her 80th birthday~

I still have to tell your story, Mama.
About your life of adventure, challenges and risks…
Your wit and brilliance, your strength and power, your charm and beauty…
Stories of war and peace, fear and love, losses and triumphs…
Of fighting for love and winning…of remembering so as not to forget…
Summers spent sitting by the sofa listening to you take me back to times past…
Sharing herstories I will carry with me as your legacy…

I see them in black and white, painted photos, glam shots of the 50’s and the golden years of cinema…with your enchanting voice in the background, Soprano, singing usahay…

Te quiero, mi Abuela...I want our memories together to be forever preserved...you said earlier you still feel like your young self, you always were a child at heart and that's why it was always fun hanging out with you, you're game for anything and we'd always have a good laugh. Practically every suitor I had had to go through your enchanting spell...those were interesting times...you made sure I knew how to carry myself from head to foot, we'd swap make-up ideas and dressing tips, and talk about classic movies [and some pretty avant-garde ones] we love, music, and lots of coffee and hot chocolate, sharing tales of love, culture, tradition and life...of women and daughters, of sons, of mothers and fathers, of sisters, of land and of identity...I miss those times...and I long for more...Thank you Mama for choosing me to be your scribe...I will always be your biggest fan. Happy 80th birthday! May God keep you healthy and joyful always! Salut!