Letters to Heaven: You are Our Light in the Darkness

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” —John 8:12

December 31, 2009

Dear Jesus:

Today is the last day of the year. And I’m so glad it’s over because 2009 has been a pretty bad year. I don’t need to go over everything that happened with You because You already know. I have been whining and complaining all year long, so You must be pretty sick of it already. I’m just happy it’s over, and now, I’ll look forward to 2010.

I want to thank You, though, because as bad as this year has been, I must admit that it ended up pretty well. The most important thing is that Rafi is doing fine, and he will return to Princeton next month. He’s still on medication, but as he says, it is the “miracle drug” for him. Thank You, Jesus, for making him healthy again.

I am entering the New Year with a very positive outlook on life. No more whining or complaining. I am happy and full of gratitude for all the blessings in my life.

Happy New Year, Jesus!!!

December 31, 2017

Dear Jesus:

As You well know, 2009 was the toughest year of our life. When a family member gets diagnosed with a serious illness, like cancer, it’s as if a bomb was dropped in the middle of your home. Life, as you know it, stops. Your whole life gets turned upside down, and your whole purpose and focus becomes finding a cure for your loved one. In our case, it was not cancer, but it was just as serious. Life, as we knew it, stopped. Our life became a nightmare from which we thought we would never wake up.

When a year ends, we have the tendency to think that everything bad that happened that year will end as well. We have 365 new days ahead of us with new possibilities, and with new expectations. It’s as if we are ending a book and starting a new one. We make new resolutions and create new goals. Unfortunately, many times we carry into the new year both the good and the bad. There are certain things that are out of our control, but the one thing that we can control is our attitude. We can change our attitude of whining and complaining. We can change our attitude of seeing the negative in everything, and we can develop an attitude of gratitude. Even when we’ve had a pretty rough year, we can find the positive within the bad. We can find the light in the midst of the darkness. We can be thankful for the good things, but also be thankful for the bad things. Even in the midst of tragedy, we can find something good to be thankful for. It could be a person that helped us through it. It may be what we learned from it. In our case, we became more united as a family, we met wonderful people that became angels in our life, and we are now committed to helping other families that are experiencing the same hardships that we did.

I know, Jesus, that for many, 2017 has been a pretty tough year. Please give them the strength and hope that You gave us in 2009. You were our light in the darkness. Be the light for all those families that are going through difficult times. As we say good-bye to 2017, may we not forget to dream, to hope, to love, and to forgive. Give us the strength to develop an attitude of gratitude no matter what difficulties we may encounter in our journey.

May 2018 be a year full of blessings for all. May You always be our light in the darkness.

Happy New Year, Jesus!!! 

Letters to Heaven: You Always Hold our Hand

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” —Proverbs 16:3

December 30, 2010

Dear Jesus:

Where do I begin? So much has happened in this month of December: Christmas, Alex’s 16th birthday, Rafi came home, Chabeli returned from England... I guess this last one is a good place to start.

Bringing Chabeli home from England was a nightmare. I don’t know how we would have survived those three horrible days if You had not been by our side. Thank You for sending us your blessed Mother to keep us company. Thank You for surrounding Chabeli with angels during the minutes, hours and days that she found herself alone and stranded in London.

Your Hand was present in every aspect of her ordeal. Even losing her luggage turned out to be a blessing. She would not have been able to haul over one hundred pounds of luggage all by herself from hotel to hotel. Finding her a hotel where she could recharge her phone was all thanks to You. Thank You for sending angels to protect her when she had to walk from the airport to the hotel by herself in the middle of the night. Thank You for allowing her to get out on the last flight that we were able to book, and for upgrading her to first class. And thank You for delaying the flight from New York to Miami to make sure that she would not miss her connection. Your hand print was visible all over. Thank You, Jesus. In spite of the agony that we felt during those three days when we did not know if she would make it home for Christmas, You held our hand and helped us through it.

I pray that everyone that was stranded made it home already. If there is anyone still out there stuck in limbo, please Jesus, help them get home for New Year’s. It was so nice to have all my babies home for Christmas. Alex turned sixteen on Christmas Eve so truly, I don’t have babies anymore. But to me, they will always be my babies.

Rafe got really sick on Christmas Eve. I think all the stress from Chabeli being stuck in the middle of that snowstorm on the other side of the world, and the fact that we only slept six hours in that entire weekend, finally caught up with him. He woke up with a fever of 104. And we were hosting Nochebuena. But the kids were very helpful with all the preparations. Rafi and Alex helped me to set up outside, Chabeli helped me with the food, and we were able to pull it off. Rafe stayed in his room all day and night. On Christmas Day, Chabeli and I went to mass by ourselves. We then went to Yordys and Melissa’s house. By nighttime, I was the one with the fever. I felt miserable for the next couple of days, but I’m doing better now, even though I’m still not 100%. Rafe is doing better too, even though he still has a cough.

Thank You, Jesus, for sticking with us through thick and thin. No matter how bad things may get, we can always count on You to hold our hand.

I love You, Jesus!!!

December 30, 2017

Dear Jesus:

Things took a turn for the worst after I wrote You that letter seven years ago. I ended up in the hospital with pneumonia, and all the kids got sick with the cold. We ended 2010 on a very bad note. But even when some years are not as good as we would like them to be, You are always by our side, and that is what truly matters. You always hold our hand, no matter what.

This year, on the other hand, is ending on a very good note. This has been a wonderful year for us in more ways than one. It has truly been a year filled with many blessings. We got to spend a lot of time with family and friends. Overall, it has been a very healthy year. Our kids are all happy and doing fine. The icing on the cake was Alex’s graduation from college and finding an amazing job in Dallas. I have been praying to You to lead him and guide him in the right direction. Even though, as a mom I would have loved for him to have found a job in Miami, I admit that this company in Dallas was handpicked by You. You placed it right on his lap. And You closed all the other doors. So Dallas it is. Thank You, Jesus, for handing him this opportunity on a silver platter. We are super happy and excited for Alex. We will start 2018 by visiting Dallas and helping Alex find a good apartment in the right neighborhood. Please guide us like You have always done in the past.

Please, Jesus, take care of my family and protect them always. Please always guide us down the right paths. Thank You for all the blessings that You have bestowed upon us during this past year. May 2018 be just as wonderful. Among other things, we have a wedding to plan. And I know, that no matter what the New Year will bring, You will always hold our hand.

I love You, Jesus!!!

Letters to Heaven during Christmas: Happy Birthday Jesus

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7

December 25, 2008

Dear Jesus:

Happy Birthday!!! All I can think today is how humbly and simple You arrived to this world. God chose to send You as poor and as humble as we could possibly imagine.

Sometimes I think that I can only find You in greatness. Only great people become saints. Only great people can do extraordinary things. But that is not the case. You came to us in the most ordinary way. You always choose ordinary people to do extraordinary things. They become great after their ordinary lives become the focus of the world because of the extraordinary things that they do.

Please, Jesus, help me to recognize the extraordinary in all the little things in my life.

I love You, Jesus!!! Have a Merry Birthday!!!

December 25, 2009

Happy Birthday Jesus:

Today, we celebrate your birthday. I hope that You are happy with the place that I prepared in my heart for You, even though I know that I could have done a better job. I allowed the stress of the season to overcome me. All the shopping, the parties, the “compromisos” overwhelmed me to the point that I forget to make room in my heart for You.

Today, however, I made room for You. I went to mass and I paid attention. I meditated on your birth. Yes, we also had gifts, we enjoyed opening them, but it’s all part of the ritual. I truly do enjoy giving. I love seeing the kids’ faces when they open their gifts. I just have to be careful not to allow the excitement of it all to overshadow your birth. You are the reason for the season and I must not forget.
Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

December 25, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!!

Oh, how Mama Mary must have felt when She held You in her arms for the first time. It must have been a combination of incredible love, awe, fear, and a sense of responsibility that She had to take care of You and protect You.

Those are the feelings that I experienced when I held each of my children for the very first time. The youngest, Alex, celebrated his 21st birthday yesterday. He almost shares a birthday with You. What an honor. He doesn’t realize it now but I hope that he does one day. It is an honor to share this day with You.

Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

December 25, 2017

Dear Jesus:

Today is Christmas. Today we celebrate your birth. I have spent four weeks preparing a place in my heart for You. I wanted to make sure that there would be room in my inn for You. Many years, I have allowed the stress of the season to occupy every room in my inn. But not this year. This Advent, I have made time to prepare my inn to receive You. And it’s been the most peaceful Advent that I’ve had in years.

Thank You, Jesus, for coming down to earth to live among us. Thank You for teaching us what truly matters. Thank You for giving us the gift of You. You are Christmas. You are the reason for the season.

I love You, Jesus!!! Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday!!!

Letters to Heaven during Advent: My Christmas Eve Baby

“Hope today starts and ends with joy. Hope today gives every reason to praise the Lord. Hope today makes you smile forever. Happy Birthday to my Christmas Eve baby.”

December 24, 2009

Dear Jesus:

My Christmas Eve baby is 15 years old. I can’t believe that soon he’s going to be driving. He had a getty last Sunday for his birthday, and I would look at him, having a good time with his friends, both boys and girls, and I kept thinking, “when did he grow up so fast?” It felt like “déjà vous.” I was going through these same things with Rafi and Chabeli just a few years ago.

Thank You for sending him into our lives fifteen years ago. Please, take care of him and protect him always. May he always choose his friends carefully and wisely. Place the right ones in his path.

I love You, Jesus!!!

December 24, 2017

Dear Jesus:

Today, Alex is turning 23 years old. Wow!!! Happy Birthday, my Christmas Eve baby.

He just finished college. He got an amazing job offer in Dallas, so he will be moving there in less than three weeks, and I just can’t keep up with all these changes in his life. It seems like it was just a few weeks ago when I brought him home for the first time on Christmas Day. He came early. He wanted to make sure that he would not miss out on the most wonderful time of the year. So even though he was due to arrive with the Three Kings, he asked Santa to drop him off on Christmas Eve.

I had an easy delivery so I asked the doctor if I could take him home within 24 hours. The hospital was deserted so I figured I would be better off at home surrounded by my family. So on Christmas Day, dressed in red pajamas, I took him home. And he was the best Christmas gift for Chabeli. That year, she completely ignored her toys. Her new baby brother was all she cared about. Rafi was too much into his Power Rangers to pay much attention to a crying baby. But Chabeli became my shadow. She wanted to help out with everything.

Thank You, Jesus, for surprising us with Alex. He is the best gift that You could have ever sent us. He came to complete our family. He has always been like a jingle bell. He brings joy, laughter and noise wherever he goes. Please protect him as he starts a new chapter in his life. Keep him safe in Dallas, and allow this experience to open great doors for his future. And continue to surround him with great friends.

I love You, Jesus!!! 

Letters to Heaven during Advent: The Best Christmas Gift

“We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give.”-Winston Churchill

December 23, 2016

Dear Jesus:

When did we turn your birth into such chaos? Your birth celebration should be just like your birth was: humble, peaceful, quiet and joyful. Instead, it has become extravagant, noisy, chaotic and stressful. Somewhere along the way, we forgot the true meaning of your birth. We have turned your celebration into a competition to see who gives the most extravagant gifts, or who receives the most quantity. We are over stressed with too much entertaining, attending too many events, eating too much and trying to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Even the decorations, sometimes, are way over the top when all You would like is a humble manger scene in a central spot in our homes.

Jesus, You came to bring us life. And my life, if it was truly centered on You, it would be peaceful. This means that You are not at the center because it’s anything but peaceful. It’s chaotic. I’m always stressed out. I always thought that when the kids became adults, I would have so much more time for myself. Instead, I feel like I have less time. Why is that? What am I doing wrong? Please, teach me how to simplify my life.

Jesus, You came to bring us joy. And my joy, if it was truly centered on You, it would be everlasting. Instead, my joy is fleeting. It’s based on the circumstances that surround me. If I truly trusted You, I would feel joy no matter what. It’s difficult, though, because our humanity gets in the way. How could I feel joy when my dad passed away? Well, in a way, I felt joy because he was no longer suffering, and I know that because he had such a good soul, he is enjoying heaven now. He better be because otherwise getting to heaven must be very, very hard. I still miss him every day, and when I realize that I’m never going to see him again here on earth, I feel sadness, not joy. Please, teach me to trust You so that no matter what happens, I can feel joy in the knowledge that You are in charge and You have a plan.

Jesus, You came to teach us how to be humble. If I was truly centered on You, I would be humble. But many times, pride gets in the way. Please, Jesus, teach me to be humble like your Mama Mary was humble. She never took credit for anything. She was the gate to You. Help me also to be a gate that takes others to You.

Jesus, help me to keep my eyes focused on You. I do not need to attend every celebration. The gifts that I give do not need to be extravagant. They should be simple and humble. The most important thing is the love I put in the giving, not the gift itself. As long as they come from the heart, that’s all that matters. And honestly, the best gift that I can receive is to be surrounded by my family. They are the greatest gift that You have given me. So, as long as I have a full house, messy and noisy, I’ll be happy and I will rejoice because once again, You will be born in our midst.

I love You, Jesus!!!

December 23, 2017

Dear Jesus:

The other day, Alex asked me: “Mom, what do you want for Christmas?” My answer was, “I already have everything I need.” He said: “But mom, this year for the first time I have money to spend. I can buy gifts for all of you.” I told him: “Alex, the best gift that you can give me is to be with me and to go to mass with me on Christmas Day.”

The older I get, the less material things I want. I prefer experiences. I cherish more the time that I get to spend with my family than the things that I possess. As a matter of fact, I am trying to declutter because I have always been a “pack rat.” 

On the other hand, I have always loved to give gifts. Rafael always accused me of getting too much for the kids. He still does. He won’t be happy when he finds out that each of them are getting six or seven items. But I can’t control myself. I just love to surprise them. 

I can’t help but think that You also love to surprise us. You love to give us gifts. You don’t give us material things, but You give us plenty of blessings. And You also provide us with magnificent experiences. Right now, I’m sitting by the window and if I look outside, everything that I see is a gift from You. We are blessed with the most beautiful blue sky. Painters have tried to copy that blue but they just can’t quite get that mix that goes from very light blue, almost white, to a deeper shade in the horizon. Thank You, Jesus, for the gift of this gorgeous blue sky.  

I am also surrounded by trees. Different types of trees. Rafi, who arrived last night, was telling me that he can’t relate palm trees to Christmas. He has definitely turned into a New Yorker. But here in Miami, palm trees are our reality. We don’t have many pine trees. Unless we want to decorate our palm trees, we must get our Christmas trees from out of state. This year, Father Robert Ayala, in St. Matthew, decided to decorate the church Christmas trees with lemons. He said that in South Florida, our reality is not pine cones, our reality is citrus fruits. Some people feel that unless it’s cold it doesn’t feel like Christmas. I felt that way when I moved here from Spain, but after living 43 years in Miami, my Christmas is going to be in warm weather most of the time. And I am thankful for the gift of living in this amazing city. Yes, it may be getting a little crowded. It may have too much traffic. But unless I move to a little town in the middle of nowhere, all cosmopolitan cities are overcrowded and filled with lots and lots of cars. So I am not complaining because whenever I travel, I am very thankful to return to my warm Miami, where I can see greenery wherever I look, and I do love my palm trees. Thank You, Jesus, for the gift of all the trees that I can see from where I’m sitting. 

As I’m writing this, Rafi is in the kitchen having breakfast. Alex and dad are still sleeping. Chabeli is in St. Augustine at a wedding. Tomorrow, my house will be full with about twenty persons. Family and friends. Definitely, for me, that is the best Christmas gift. Family and friends. To have my house filled with noise, laughter, the occasional squabble, the women sitting around chatting, the men and the kids playing dominoes, setting a beautiful table, having lots and lots of food, drinking wine... just being together is by far the best gift that anyone could ever gift me. Thank You, Jesus, for the gift of family and friends. 

And last but not least, thank You for the gift of faith. My life would not be what it is if You were not at the center. In two days, we will celebrate your birthday. Thank You for making yourself as little as a child to be born in our midst. Thank You for teaching us that to be big we have to make ourselves small. Thank You for teaching us that the best king is not the one that lives in a luxurious palace and feels superior to everyone else. The best King is the one who serves His people with love and humility. Thank You, Jesus, for being our King. Thank You for giving Your life so we could be free. Thank You, Jesus. You are by far the best Christmas gift because without You, we would not have Christmas. 

I love You, Jesus!!!

Letters to Heaven during Advent: Helping “Elizabeth”

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to Your Word.” Luke 1:38

December 21, 2016

Dear Mama Mary:

You have been here for a week and I have paid such little attention to You. I know it’s only a statue, a symbol of You. But regardless, You are the traveling Lady Seat of Wisdom from my Bible class, and You have brought such comfort to so many of us through the years. You visit all our houses. You know what goes on in each household. And You keep all our secrets.

Six years ago, You came to visit us too. While You were with us, Chabeli got stuck in England in the middle of a snowstorm. Flight after flight got cancelled. I remember falling on my knees, and crying out to You. I pleaded to You to help my girl get home in time for Christmas. And You didn’t let me down. Chabeli made it home right on time. Afterwards, we all got sick, but she was home and that was all that mattered.

This year, we are all getting sick too. Today, Rafe was diagnosed with pneumonia. Alex has a sore throat, and he’s not feeling well. I’m not 100% either. Even the dog was sneezing this morning. But we are all home, and that’s what matters. Rafi arrived tonight. Please, keep him from getting sick. Chabeli doesn’t live here any longer but she’s nearby and she’ll be home for Nochebuena and Christmas.

Today, we decided to cancel the big gathering of eighteen people that we were planning for Nochebuena. I just can’t handle such a big party on my own like I did six years ago. Rafe was sick, and I ended up in the hospital with pneumonia. So this year, it will be a small gathering, just six of us.

Changing the subject, I have been pondering this whole week how You must have felt from the Annunciation to the Nativity. The scripture readings this week have been all about You. When the angel appeared to You, he greeted You with these words: “Hail, favored one.” (Luke 1:28). This showed that God had picked You as His favorite one. The readings don’t say whether You were afraid or not. But I imagine that a visit from an angel was not a daily occurrence so You must have been scared. The angel even tells You, “do not be afraid, Mary.” (Luke 1:30). And then, he basically tells You that all the plans you’ve had for your life and your future are about to change. I complain and get upset when I have to change something as insignificant as my Nochebuena plans. And when God literally turns your life upside down, all You do is ask: “How can this be since I have no relations with a man?” (Luke 1:34). Once the angel explains it to You, You reply with the most beautiful words that I have ever heard: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to Your Word.” (Luke 1:38). No wonder He picked You. If it had been me, I would have asked a thousand questions. I would have said, “let me think about it” or “let me talk it over with my parents” or “let me ask Joseph for his opinion.” But not You. Your faith and obedience were out of this world.

Once You gave your consent, the angel left without giving You further instructions. He didn’t tell You how to approach Joseph. He didn’t explain when and how all this would take place. Nothing. He gave You such an amazing message and then, he just vanished. But your trust in God was so huge, that You knew He would take care of everything. So instead of worrying about all the “what-ifs,” what did You do? You ran to your cousin Elizabeth’s house. The scripture says that You went in “haste.” You didn’t take any time for yourself. You hurried to your cousin’s side because You felt that she probably needed You. You placed her needs ahead of your own.

Oh, Mama Mary, how I wish that I could be more like You. There are many “Elizabeth’s” in my life, but I certainly don’t run to them to help them out. On the contrary, I look the other way. I place my needs ahead of theirs. There are so many “Elizabeth’s” out there who feel lonely or forgotten by God. Teach me to see them, notice them and love them.

I love You, Mama Mary!!!

December 21, 2017

Dear Mama Mary:

Thank You for opening my eyes to the “Elizabeth’s” around me. I know that I cannot take care of them all, but if I help one “Elizabeth,” then I am bringing your Son to that one person.

This week, I have been a little overwhelmed. Help me to relax, and to place my priorities in order. Help me not to forget the real reason for the season. Help me to place Your Son at the center of all the celebrations.

Today, in the midst of everything that I still have to do, I will make time for one of the “Elizabeth’s” in my life.

I love You, Mama Mary!!!

Letters to Heaven during Advent: You are Christmas

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air."- W.T. Ellis

December 19, 2014

Dear Jesus:

A friend of mine sent me an email with some words from Pope Francis that I want to share with You:

"Christmas tends to be a noisy holiday. It wouldn't hurt to celebrate it in silence, that way we could hear Love's whisper.

You are Christmas when you decide to be born again each day and you allow God to penetrate your soul.

You are the Christmas tree when you stand strong against the storms and difficulties of life.

You are the Christmas ornaments when your virtues are colors that adorn your life.

You are the Christmas bell when you call, congregate and unite.

You are the Christmas light when with your life you light the way for others using patience, happiness and generosity.

You are the Christmas angels when you sing to the world a message of peace, justice and love.

You are the Christmas star when you lead someone to an encounter with God.

You are the Three Kings when you give the best you have without mattering to whom.

You are the Christmas music when you conquer the harmony within you.

You are the Christmas gift when you are a true friend and brother to all humans.

You are the Christmas card when kindness is written in your hands.

You are the Christmas greeting when you forgive and enforce peace, even when you are suffering.

You are the Christmas dinner when you feed with bread and hope the poor that is next to you.

You are the Christmas night, when humbly and consciously, you receive in the silence of the night the Savior of the world, without noise and without huge celebrations.

You are the smile of trust and kindness, the interior peace of a Christmas that lives forever within you.

A very Merry Christmas to all those that resemble Christmas. And don't allow Santa Claus to take the place of Baby Jesus at Christmas."

I love You Baby Jesus!!!

December 19, 2017

Dear Baby Jesus:

I just finished reading the words from Pope Francis that I read three years ago. It wouldn't hurt me to  read them every Christmas. I will try to be Christmas this year to all those that I encounter.

I love You Baby Jesus!!!