Letters to Heaven: Thank You for The Kisses

"Pain and suffering have come to your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus-a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you." 

St. Teresa of Calcutta

May 21, 2016

Dear Jesus:

I was supposed to attend the Spiritual Exercises this weekend. Instead, I'm on retreat at the hospital. I guess this is where You needed me to be.

My dad's health has rapidly deteriorated in the past two months. The doctors have found a mass in his lower intestine. Yesterday, we made the decision to put him in hospice until You decide to take him to his heavenly home. Please, Jesus, don't let him suffer indefinitely. Thank You for placing Samantha in our path. I pray that she will be a good caretaker for my dad. And I pray that she in turn will be happy with him and my mom. And I pray that we also find someone good for the evenings and the weekends.

Rafi and Emily arrive in a week. Please allow Rafi to be able to see his grandfather alive. In ten days, we are supposed to go on a family vacation to New Orleans and Seaside for Phillip and Alex's wedding. I don't want to be selfish but You know how hard it is for us to coordinate a family vacation nowadays. It's just one week. Please Jesus, give us a little break and allow us to share this time together with the kids. So please, help me to resolve my dad's care so I can leave with just a little bit of worry.

On a different note, my parents received communion today for the first time in 50 years. Since their previous marriages were never annulled, they have not been allowed to receive your body and blood. Just between You and me, I think it's ridiculous. Father Gabriel deemed it fine that they could receive it today. What a beautiful gift to give them on this year of mercy.

Please give my mom the strength and the patience to handle what is ahead of her. Have mercy on my dad and grant him everlasting life. And give me the wisdom to make the right decisions for my dad. Have mercy on him. Have mercy on his soul.

Mother Teresa, pray for my dad.

I love You, Jesus!!! Thank You for the kisses!!!

June 14, 2017

Dear Jesus:

My dad left us a year ago today. I certainly hope that You have welcomed him into his heavenly home already and that he has been able to meet You face to face. If he's still in purgatory then we are all in deep trouble because that means that it takes a long time to be purified. Of course, You don't measure time the way we do, but I would like to think that he is already with You. He was such a good, gentle and humble man that if he's not with You yet, there's not much chance for the rest of us.

Thank You for taking him so fast and minimizing his suffering. His last weeks were very tough for him and for my mom. He was bedridden and we had to do everything for him. It broke my heart to see him in that shape. But thank You for sending us some good angels: Samantha, Graciela, and a few others that helped out on the weekends. They were a great help to my mom. And they allowed us to be able to keep him at home until the very end. He passed away at home and in peace. Thank You for that gift.

Before he passed away, You gave me the gift of allowing me to spend one week with all the kids and Rafe in NOLA and Seaside. We shared some wonderful adventures and some delicious meals, including the famous beignets. Philip and Alex's wedding was absolutely beautiful. It was great to be able to share such a joyous day with the Ingelmo's. We have known them for over 20 years and we share a great friendship.

Thank You for giving Rafi the opportunity to see his grandfather alive one last time. Since he got to see how bad he was doing, it made saying "good-bye" a little easier.

My mom has done pretty good this first year. She is one strong lady, even though I'm sure she's had her tough moments in private. As she says: "the nights are the hardest." Please be with her so she doesn't feel lonely.

My dad accepted your kisses of pain and suffering with love, dignity and without ever complaining. Help me to learn from him and whatever cross I must carry in the future, help me to accept it with a smile and to always be grateful for the kisses.

St. Teresa, pray for us!!!

I love You, Jesus!!! Thank You for the kisses!!!

Letters to Heaven: Buried under a Pile of Paper

"Then there's the joy of getting your desk clean, and knowing that all your letters are answered, and you can see the wood on it again." ~Lady Bird Johnson

June 12, 2014

Dear Jesus:

I have been going through piles and piles of papers, throwing away what is garbage, filing what is important and sorting them out. I made the commitment to myself that I would not stop until I sorted out a full pile. I have this tendency to start a project but not finish it. I made it through two full piles. But when I got to the third one, I just had to stop.

Is this normal? Does this happen to other people or does it happen only to me? I get overwhelmed by the mountains of paper. I feel like it never ends. When I think I'm done and everything is in it's place, it starts all over again.

Every day, the mail brings loads and loads of paper. It's mostly garbage, but it still requires that I take a look. Then there's the credit card receipts. And all the papers associated with the house. That's the pile that I just couldn't get through. I had to stop. I felt like I was drowning.

Sometimes I feel like I'm way over my head. Dealing with household issues has always been difficult for me. I see other women that it comes easy to them. They handle the plumber, the gardener, the handyman... without any problem. I get overwhelmed. I don't know if it's my "peacemaker" personality that doesn't deal well with conflicts and obstacles, but when things don't go smoothly, I suffocate. And they never go smoothly. Something is always bound to go wrong.

Breathe, Christy, breathe. You can do this. One day at a time. One paper at a time. One problem at a time.

Help me Jesus!!!

June 12, 2017

Dear Jesus:

I remember when receiving mail was a pleasure. I would actually look forward to it. As soon as the mail arrived, I would rush to the mailbox to see if it brought me a letter from my friends in Spain, or pictures of my family in Cuba, or an invitation to a party. Now, when the mail arrives, I don't even move. Once I finally pick it up, usually after it sits in the mailbox for a few hours, I glance at it and throw it in a basket. Right now, I have about two to three weeks of mail sitting in that basket. And every day, I look at it, and I put off going through it. I literally dread it. Ninety percent of its contents will end up in the recycling bin. And the other ten percent will be bad news: bills to pay, a warning that my credit card on file has expired, or a notice that I have to go to jury duty. The days of treasured mail are over. Today, we don't receive letters, we receive emails. We don't receive pictures by mail, we get them through Facebook. And invitations come through Evite or Facebook events. Well, except for weddings. At least for now, wedding invitations are still printed and cherished.

Eventually, the mail altogether will be obsolete. It will follow the same path as a paper map, the printed yellow pages and developed pictures. But for now, I better tackle that mountain of mail sitting in that basket, or else, I'm going to be buried under a pile of paper. Again!

I love You, Jesus!!!

Letters to Heaven: Sitting in the Waiting Room

"Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." 

Isaiah 40:31

June 10, 2014

Dear Jesus:

In the book I'm reading now, "You'll Get Through This," Max Lucado says that "this world is a waiting room." I like his analogy because I think it's so true.

What are we doing here? We are waiting. We are waiting until that moment when we get to see your face. How long will it take? We don't know. But while we wait, we are not alone. You sit with us. You wait with us.

Sometimes the waiting is pleasant. We are having a good time. Everything is going our way. But many times, the waiting is very unpleasant. And sometimes, it's very painful. But while we wait, You work. That is why we can never give up.

In the story of Joseph, which is what Mr. Lucado used as the backdrop for his book, Joseph waited for a very long time. First, he waited at the bottom of the cistern until his brothers decided what to do with him. Then he waited during the auction to see who would buy him. Then, while he was in prison, he waited, waited, waited. And while he waited, You were at work. You were putting all the players in place so that your plan could unfold.

So Jesus, help me to be patient because I tend to be very impatient. I know that You are working in each of my children's lives. You are working on Rafi and leading him on the right path. I know that one day he will find the courage to share his story with others. You are working on Chabeli and if her vocation is marriage, You will lead her to the man that You have already chosen for her. And Alex will find his true vocation and You will lead him towards that field of study.

I'm waiting, Jesus!!! Patiently sitting in the waiting room.

June 10, 2017

Dear Jesus:

Here I am!!! Waiting for Alex to arrive from Europe. Thank You for keeping him and his friends safe while they were over there.

Rafi is starting to open up. He's sharing his story at work, he's helping others that are walking in his same shoes, and he's attending a conference in August with other people that suffer from his same illness. It took eight years, but the waiting and the praying paid off. Thank You, Jesus. All in your time, not mine.

You led Chabeli to a wonderful young man that adores her, and she's truly happy with him. I prayed for him, and He was your choice for her. You knew exactly what she needed and You found the right young man for her. Thank You, Jesus, for making my girl happy.

And Alex found the right career. It took a few bumps and bruises, but he will be doing an internship this summer in his field of study, and if it's Your will, he will graduate in December with his bachelor's degree.

I know that I'm very impatient but I also know, that You know exactly what my children need. And while I wait in the waiting room, You are at work in their lives. Thank You for always having their best interest at heart.

I love You, Jesus!!! Please keep Alex and his friends safe as they return home from an amazing trip. Here I am, patiently sitting in the waiting room. 

Letters to Heaven: Give Thanks

"Give thanks in all circumstances." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

June 9, 2014

Dear Jesus:

Thank You for everything!!! I have so much to be thankful for.

My dad's surgery was a success. Thank You!!! I know it's a bit early to be celebrating victory, but I know in my heart that You are in control. He hasn't even felt pain. He felt more pain with the biopsies. Thank You for not allowing him to suffer more than necessary.

Thank You for this amazing world that You have given us. Here I am, sitting by the pool, looking at the beautiful ocean, listening to the waves crashing at the seashore. What more can I ask for?

Thank You for my wonderful, handsome husband of 30 years who works very hard to provide for all of us. He is an amazing father and husband.

Thank You for the gift of my children. Thank You for choosing me to be their mother.

Thank You for the gift of faith. I can't imagine my life without You in it.

Thank You for my community of faith. When I'm too overwhelmed to pray, they do the praying for me.

Thank You for people like Max Lucado who share their gift of writing by inspiring so many to follow You. His book "You'll Get Through This" has been a great help for me since I found out that my dad was diagnosed with a malignant angiosarcoma. And now, it turns out, that it's the book that Claire chose for our summer book club. I'm so excited.

Thank You, Jesus. You are amazing. I love You so much.

June 9, 2017

Dear Jesus:

Thank You for everything!!! I have so much to be thankful for.

Thank You for giving me two additional years with my dad after he was diagnosed with a malignant angiosarcoma.

Thank You for the beautiful and perfect world that You created for us.

Thank You for my hubby and my children. Thank You for my family.

Thank You for my faith and for my community. Thank You for the amazing group of women that You have placed in my life. They are the sisters that I never had.

Thank You for the Bible classes that have taught me so much about You, about our Blessed Mother, about the saints and about all the apostles.

Thank You for the tough times because they have made me stronger.

Thank You, Jesus, for always being by my side.

I love You, Jesus!!!

Letters to Heaven: Choose the Better Part

"In these two women, who were both well pleasing to the Lord... the two lives are symbolized: our present life, and the life to come; the life of labor, and the life of quiet; the life of sorrow, and the life of blessedness; the life of this world, and the life of eternity. These are the two lives we each have... In Martha is the image of things present, in Mary of things to come. What Martha is doing, we do now; what Mary is doing, we hope to do. Let us do the first life well, so that we may have the second life to the fullest." St. Augustine

June 8, 2010

Dear Jesus:

Today I attended a study of a book titled "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World." I used to be very much like Martha. Always doing things, running around, trying to do everything perfectly. Little by little, though, I have been shifting and now, there's a lot of Mary inside of me. I am finally learning to choose the better part, which is basically to sit at your feet and just enjoy your company.

I am more mellow, less frantic. I am more at peace. You lead my life so I don't need to worry so much, the way I used to worry about everything. Thank You for showing me the way.

I love You, Jesus!!!

June 27, 2010

Dear Jesus:

This weekend I have been a Martha and I am exhausted. Now I know that Mary definitely chose the better part. I much rather be a Mary but once in a while, I have no choice, I have to be a Martha.

Tomorrow, we are tenting the house because we have termites. We've had to take all the food, medicines, plants and perishables out of the house. We also have to leave the house. All weekend we've been packing and moving things to my office. And that is why I'm so tired. I am not a happy camper but I offer my tiredness for those that don't have a home. Life is not a piece of cake but with the right attitude, we can make the best of it.

After the tenting is done and the house is clean, we can enjoy ten days at the beach. We rented an apartment starting tomorrow at Hallandale Beach.

I'm tired, Jesus. Good night. I love You!!!

June 8, 2017

Dear Jesus:

I have been trying to find a balance between being a Mary and a Martha. But Martha keeps winning. It's hard to make time to sit at your feet, but at least I try to do it once a week. I enjoy my quiet times with You. I enjoy spending time with You. But as St. Augustine says, I won't be able to be a full time Mary until the life to come. So for now, I will try to be the best Martha I can be, so that eventually, I can choose the better part for all eternity.

I love You, Jesus!!!

Letters to Heaven: Yesterday I Cried

"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord." —Psalm 112:7

June 1, 2010

Dear Jesus:

I just finished reading a book titled "Yesterday I Cried." It's a very strong book but with a very powerful lesson. No matter what has happened in my life, no matter how hard the past has been, if I trust You and I place my life in your hands, I can look to the future and walk forward.

I have to stop worrying so much about others, especially my children. They also belong to You. You are the one in charge of their lives, not me. I have been the link between You and them. I have guided them, taught them, and protected them. Now, I must release them. Rafi will leave in a week, Chabeli in three months, and Alex in three years. You will take care of them because You have a plan for each of them.

So no more crying. No more worrying. Yesterday I cried. Yesterday I worried. Today, I trust in You.

I love You, Jesus!!!

June 7, 2017

Dear Jesus:

A good lesson. I need to apply it daily. You have taught me that You are in control. But I still worry. And I still cry. Please teach me to trust You, every single day.

Alex is in Europe with six friends. I try not to worry, but it's hard when the news are constantly bombarding us with all the terror attacks that are happening over there. But You are showing me daily that You are protecting them. They left London right before the attack this past weekend. They were in Notre Dame on Monday, not on Tuesday when there was another threat. I know the guardian angels are protecting all seven of them, and yet, I'm counting the days until they are safely back in Miami.

Rafi lives in New York, another target city. But I trust You. You are in control.

And Chabeli is constantly out and about in busy Miami, driving amidst the crazy drivers. But I trust You. You are in control.

So no more crying. No more worrying. Yesterday I cried. Yesterday I worried. Today, I trust in You.

I love You, Jesus!!!

LTH during the Easter Season: Holy Spirit, Thank You for my Fruit Salad

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." —Romans 15:13

June 8, 2014

Dear Jesus:

Thank You for this day. Thank You for all your blessings. Thank You for loving me so much that You died in the cross for me. Thank You for leaving us the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Thank You for the family that You chose for me. Thank You for Rafe. We've been married almost 30 years. Thank You for crossing our paths. He's been at my side through thick and thin.

Thank You for the gift of each of my children. Each one has brought a special flavor to our fruit salad. Rafi is the pineapple. I've tasted the most sour pineapples and the sweetest pineapples. It's the same with Rafi. He's brought me the sweetest moments and the greatest pains. Even though I don't know until I bite it if I'm going to enjoy a sweet pineapple or if my eyes will water from the sour taste, I still love pineapples. And I love my Rafi. I would not change him at all. I love him just the way he is. Thank You for choosing me to be his mom. It's been a privilege and an honor.

Chabeli is the apple. She's the apple of Rafe's eyes. But more than that, she's solid, she's consistent, she's strong and she's stable. She's brought balance and stability to our salad. She says it like it is. She speaks her heart out and she's solid at the core. I'm so proud of my Chabeli. She has blossomed into a beautiful apple. She's smart, a hard worker, caring... She has attitude and she is a strong woman. She has faith in You but her faith in the Catholic Church is wavering. We need to work on that. I love my girl. Thank You for the gift of her and for picking me to be her mama. Help me to be there for her always.

Alex is the banana of our salad. Always consistent. Always happy. Always tastes good. I'm never afraid to bite a banana because I always know it's going to taste delicious. It's comfort food. And it's the same with Alex. He's my simple, no nonsense child. Yes, he's given us a few small heart attacks, especially last summer, but all in all, he's brought us a lot of joy and peace. He's about to finish his first year of college and it's been good. Really good. No scary phone calls or health issues. The worst thing that happened was that his clothing got stolen from the laundry room. Big deal. Thank You, Jesus, for my sweet banana. I love him so much. He will forever be my most treasured Christmas gift. Thank You for sending him to us and for choosing me to be his mom.

Thank You for my parents and the rest of my family. I grew up as an only child. I always wanted a sibling. But I can't complain because You have blessed me with a very large and lovely extended family. I would like to pray for all of them. 

Please grant my Rafe good health and lots of patience. Please give my pineapple health of mind, body and spirit. I pray that my apple finds her soul mate. And I pray that my banana finds his true passion and vocation. And for my parents, I pray for health and acceptance of Your will. And for the rest of my family members, may they be at peace. And for myself, I pray that I can enjoy the simple things in life and that I don't get so overwhelmed with nonsense.

I pray for all those that are sick and in need of your mercy. I pray for all those that don't have anyone to pray for them. I pray for all the souls in purgatory. I pray for vocations. And I pray for the intentions of your Blessed Mother.

Holy Spirit, thank You for my fruit salad!! 

June 4, 2017

Dear Holy Spirit:

Thank You for guiding me all these years. Thank You for inspiring me to write. Thank You for giving me the courage to share the Good News. And thank You for my fruit salad.