New Beginnings

I stepped away from my computer yesterday, and decided instead to enjoy myself. As someone wrote to me yesterday, stop digging. So I did, and I thank you. My celebrating had already started early, and even I knew better than to continue on my present course, especially after a couple of pitchers of sangria. An intoxicated me would not have been excellent in any imaginable way, as my last comment shows all too clearly. loose lips sink ships, so I zipped it, and had some fun.

Since it was my birthday, I turned off my computer for a while, and I spent my time in the company of friends, family and even shared good times online later in the evening with a few new friends that I’ve made here at DD. But more than just a good time, though it definitely was, it was time spent reflecting on what’s really important in my life, focusing on those closest to me, and thinking about how best to move forward … to become better than I was yesterday, and to try and be better tomorrow.

When I woke up early this morning, I was greeted by a beautiful horizon, and I made the decision to simply enjoy it. Instead of my regular morning routine, if I was going to make a change, then I’d best get on with it. I grabbed my camera, decided the animals could wait a bit for just one morning, and I repeated my determinations made yesterday with the new dawn.

Though I’m neither a photographer nor a poet, what follows is just what came out of my decision to make each new day count, starting with today. One year and one day older, and so much left to do.

Many of you here have been on my mind, and I thank you for even the harshest criticisms. And no matter how much I tried to avoid it, you forced me to take a good hard look at myself and make the determination to do better, be a better person. I can’t imagine a better birthday gift. This essay is my thank you.

It’s always darkest before the dawn,

    but dawn will always appear on the horizon…

Glowing with the promise of new beginnings…

Until a new day is born…

With a wondrous gift of a majectic universe…

A gift that cannot be hidden, it’s warm light guiding the way …

And even with the splendor of new beginnings, new challenges await…

But with determination, even the fiercest storms will dissipate…

And paint the victory of life on expansive skies

Shining with the brilliance of the sun.

Seek the blue skies, and challenges of each new day through esperanza in a better tomorrow…

And may the blossoms of esperanza fill each new day,

    with new beginnings…

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since my “kids” were with me, I kept on taking a few more pictures. sure do wish that most of them didn’t turn out as blurry as my vision was yesterday, but I’ll share the ones that aren’t too bad. someday I’ll learn how to use this dang camera a little better. 🙁

hey, you’re late! now where’s my breakfast? calm down dolores…

master splinter says to just have a little patience…

and some fun with sara messin’ up the bed

al pacino could care less…

but papo is definitely hungry…always! cora and daisy too…

and hector as well…

maddie just thinks she’s a goat

and pumba thinks he’s so smart finding the hole in the fence

frodo just likes esperanzas

abi says I’m nuts…outside? with all those hooves?

papi’s with abi…put ’em in the barn…then we’ll talk

molly’s not skeered of no stinkin goats!

mileidy doesn’t agree…

osito’s just wonderin’ what’s going on

capitán says it’s still too early…go away

dolores is just a little shy… not!

lourdes and baby ana say it’s still too early

but where’s my breakfast?

lourdes says…bye guys! can I eat now?