FUERZA VALPARAISO

And so disaster strikes again in Chile, but the human spirit never ceases to amaze me.  The fire that broke out in Valparaiso on Saturday has affected some of the poorest people in society, who built their houses where they could in the hills of Valparaiso, often in the places at the mercy of mother nature, and with the cheapest of materials.  But this was their home, and so many have lost everything, only being left with the clothes on their back.  And what is their response?  You can recover the material, but life you cannot.

The strength and resolve of the Chilean is something so inspiring, to get up every single time you are knocked down.  I have seen it time and time again with other fires, earthquakes, floods.  Through tear stained eyes, they vow to fight on.  Tomorrow is another day. 

People have come to assist straight away, to bring clothes and food, and to also help the animals who have lost their homes.  My sister in law and her family are an example of this, they come from one of the poorest sectors in Santiago, but set off on Sunday with items for the victims.  They have so little, but have no second thought in helping those even less unfortunate than themselves.

And so we can learn many things from this terrible tragedy that hurts my heart so much.    We should be so grateful for what we have, whether little or much; our houses, our clothes, our food, our lives, our family.  Life is so unpredictable, you never know what is going to happen.  So live for the moment like it´s your last.  Do what you want to do, but always with a kind heart.  Aspire to be like those Chileans who are helping their neighbours.  Adapting my favourite quote of all time: “My fellow people, ask not what others can do for you, ask what you can do for others.”

¡¡¡FUERZA VALPARAÍSO, FUERZA CHILE!!!

Where are they?

With a tear stained face and heavy heart,
I remember through the memory of those present,
So that they live on and not be forgotten.

Through photos, videos and stories imprinted in their hearts and minds,
Layers of memory unfolding like the feathers of a peacock,
waiting to be spread open and freed into the light.

Yet some memory shields itself, too painful to be exposed,
The excrutiating torment and open wounds,

They will never heal.

They will never heal.

The not knowing of where thier loved ones are,
In this breathtakingly beautiful but bone ridden country.
The contrasts of the sun setting over the Andes to the deathly cold desert at night,
The moon illuminating the horrors of what is still unknown.

Where are they?

Where are they?

Siento

Ya se fue la paloma dos veces, me ha dejado un vacío grande en el alma.

Aun siento el aleteo de sus alas delicadas en mi corazón y su luz blanca que intenta iluminar mi cuerpo.

Ay! que difícil es ser mujer, un recuerdo todos los meses de lo que he perdido.

Las preguntas sin respuestas y la búsqueda eterna, para intentar remediar lo que siento he fallado.

La ausencia de mi propósito, de todo lo que quiero, mi espíritu en pedazos porque no veo mi vida en colores sino como retrato en sepia. Y viene la lluvia, y me ahoga en la tristeza.

The beautiful dogs of Chile

I don´t think you could ever say you are alone in Chile.  There are so many stray dogs who are just waiting for some love and affection, and much needed food.  In San Pablo there is a homeless man, complete with three dogs who lay right by his side, through the cold and rain, and blistering sun.  In Chile, dogs are everywhere, in the midst of student protests, running through the tear gas and being soaked by the guanacos.  Barking at the passing cars, fixated by the moving wheels.  They rule the streets and can be found in the parks and squares, a mixture of mongrols with Labrador heads and Whippet bodies highlights the problem of the increasing homeless dog population.

I am normally a cat person, but now having six canine companions I have to say it is true what they say, dogs are so loyal, and know just the right time to comfort you in times of sadness, be your guardian and never ever judge you.  Through times of grief I have had a much needed snuggle with Segundo and Clara and they instinctively knew I was upset and needed some healing.

Recently on holiday in the north of Chile, the beach was full of stray dogs.  One in particular came back to our beach hut looking for food, and from the moment we shared our lunch he never left our side.  He accompanied us to the beach and back, protecting us at night and waiting for us in the mornings.  He was never agressive, always waiting patiently for food and attention. He stayed with us right to the end of our visit, and knew when we were to return to Santiago, saying his goodbyes at the gate with some cries.  It was heartbreaking to leave him.

 It really pains me to think of so many dogs who are uncared for and rely on locals and strangers for food and attention.  I would just like to ask you to take a second to be conscious about the situation of animals, and maybe you can spread some love and affection their way, a friendly pat or food and water and I will guarantee that in return you will have a companion for life.

Para Mauricio

A Mauricio Escobar Fernández, esposo, amor de mi vida, mi media naranja, contigo estoy completo, mi vida tiene sentido.  Te esperé tantos años, ahí estuviste en mis sueños, lejos, pero sabía que ibas a llegar.  Antes de ti sentía  una soledad tan profunda, mis días de color gris, mi alma empapada con la lluvia.

Cuando llegaste me trajiste el sol, llenaste mi día con colores bonitos.  Por la primera vez sentí amada, y sabía lo que era el amor, y todavía lo siento, aún mas fuerte con cada amanecer.  Quiero darte la gracia, porque he tenido tiempos oscuros, una tormenta en mi corazón, pero tomaste mi mano, y de nuevo me trajiste el sol, y nació el arco iris, y estoy saliendo de mi pesadilla, pero de a poco, con tu amor, es tu amor que me da la vida, nunca dejes de amarme, es lo que necesito, lo único que quiero, tu amor....

TE AMO xxx 

To Mauricio Escobar Fernández, husband, love of my life, my soulmate, with you I am complete, my life has meaning.  I waited for you so many years, there you were in my dreams, far away, but I knew you would arrive.  Before you I felt a deep loneliness, my days were grey, my soul sodden with the rain.

When you arrived you brought me the sun, you filled my day with beautiful colours.  For the first time I felt loved, and I knew what love was, and I still feel it, even stronger with every sunrise.  I want to thank you, because I have had some dark times, a storm in my heart, but you took my hand, and you brought me the sun again, and a rainbow appeared, and the nightmare is ending, but little by little, with your love, it is your love that keeps me alive, never stop loving me, it´s what I need, the only thing I want, your love....

I LOVE YOU xxx

Signs and affirmations

I haven´t had the best of times of late, so on Tuesday I went to the church of San Francisco to pray.  The Virgin Mary caught my attention and pulled me near, so I sat down in front of her to release all my thoughts and fears.  

Recently before I had seen on the clocks 3.33 and 5.55 on various occasions, I hadn´t yet made the correlations.

Yesterday, while I was sitting at my desk in the library, I noticed a ladybird on my shoulder.  Which I found to be quite strange, wondering how it got inside and was quite unusual for this time of year in winter.  So I decided to look at the internet for the meanings.

Well, the ladybird is the beetle of the Virgin Mary, and the angel number 333 means that the Ascended Masters are near you. The Virgin Mary is one of the Ascended Masters.  You may not believe in such coincidences, but it really has been a comfort for me, and since I was not actively looking for signs I believe in this even more.  The number 555 talks about a major life change.  I am not quite sure what that is yet.

If your mind is open, you may notice signs.  These can be number sequences on clocks or car registrations, butterflies, white feathers and rainbows as some examples.  During difficult times we are not alone.  There are angels all around us to let us know that everything is going to be fine.  Even if we are on the dark side of the storm, the rainbow will always shine through in the end.

Love and light to you all.

Thinking of Frank

There´s not really a day that goes by without me thinking about you.  It seems weird to not send you a card this year.  It took a long while to allow myself to get to know the real you and I am glad I did.  I still sometimes hear you in my head, or think of you when the lights flicker.  I remember all your sayings, your habits, your mischievous behaviour.  I say this with tears down my face and with a heavy heart because it still hurts that you are gone.  It is true the saying that you don´t know how much you love someone until they are gone.  I regret not saying it enough.  Happy Father´s day Frank.  Thank you for being part of my life.  I love you.  So many people loved you and always will.