WISHES

I WISH YOU SUNSHINE THROUGH THE RAIN
I WISH YOU STRENGTH THROUGH YOUR PAIN
I WISH YOU ENDURANCE WHEN YOUR SPIRITS ARE LOW
I WISH YOU FRIENDSHIP WHEN YOU FEEL ALONE
I WISH YOU CALM WATERS AFTER THE STORMS

I WISH YOU SELFLESSNESS TO GIVE OTHER'S A HELPING HAND
MAY YOU SEE THAT LIFE IS A GIFT
MAY YOUR SELF AWARENESS ABOUND
I WISH YOU BEAUTY  AND EASE
I  WISH YOU FREEDOM FROM ALL SELF DOUBT

LIFE IS TO BE CELEBRATED...
GRATITUDE IS THE PATH
SO SING AND DANCE, LET THE MUSIC PLAY, REJOICE!
GIVE YOUR TIME ON EARTH A PURPOSE,  A VOICE

I WISH YOU A RADIANT AND GIVING HEART
I WISH  YOU A KIND SPIRIT THAT SOARS
I WISH YOU LAUGHTER AND SMILES
IN WISH YOU EYES TO SEE BEAUTY IN OTHERS AND YOURSELF
ABOVE ALL ELSE, I WISH YOU LOVE

LOVE IS GIVEN FREELY
BUT WE MUST ALL EARN TO KEEP
I WISH YOU GRACE
AND THE GLOW IN A CHILD'S FACE

THE ANGELS ARE WATCHING YOU

CLOSE  YOUR EYES,  MY BABY

CLOSE YOUR EYES,  MY SWEET

THE SUN WILL WAIT  'TIL YOU AWAKE

THE ANGELS ARE GUARDING YOU

THE SUN WILL WAIT 'TIL YOU AWAKE

THE ANGELS ARE GUARDING YOU

CLOSE YOUR EYES,  MY BABY

CLOSE YOUR EYES,  MY SWEET

THE ANGELS ARE SMILING  TOO 

THE STARS ARE SHINNING

THE ANGELS ARE SIGHING TOO

THE ANGELS ARE SIGHING

CLOSE YOUR EYES,   MY BABY

CLOSE YOUR EYES,  MY PETE!

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND SLEEP

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND SLEEP

THE SUN WILL WAIT 'TIL YOU AWAKE

THE SUN WILL  WAIT  FOR YOU

THE SUN WILL WAIT 'TIL YOU AWAKE

THE SUN WILL WAIT FOR YOU

CLOSE YOUR EYES, MY BABY
CLOSE YOUR EYES, MY SWEET
CLOSE YOUR EYES, MY BABY
CLOSE YOUR EYES, MY PETE...

CHERISH THE NOW

THE NOW IS ALL WE HAVE
YESTERDAY WAS YESTERDAY'S DREAM
AND TOMORROW IS HOLLOWED GROUND
ONLY TODAY'S LOVE COUNTS

MAY I LOVE YOU FOR THIS MOMENT?
FOR THIS MOMENT CAN YOU BE MINE?
FOR THIS MOMENT
I CAN PROMISE, IT WILL BE THE BEST OF TIMES

LET'S FORGET ABOUT THE PAST
LET'S FORGET WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN
HOLD ME CLOSE AND THIS WILL BE OUR CHERISHED NOW
PERHAPS, AS SWEET AS IT HAS EVER BEEN.

WHAT HAS BEEN, HAS BEEN
WHAT WILL COME TOMORROW ONLY A FOOL WILL TELL
TODAY  AND TODAY'S EMBRACE
FOR TODAY LET ME CARESS YOUR FACE

FEELING IS THE LIVING PASSION
TODAY AND TODAY'S KISSES AND GENTLE TOUCH
IS THE TODAY WE MUST HAVE
ENDURING LOVE IS WHAT WE ALL LONG FOR SO MUCH

SO LET TODAY BE THE MOMENT
ENGRAVED IN OUR HEARTS
LE T TODAY BE THE MOMENT
WE CHERISHED THE NOW...


..

REBIRTH FROM THE ASHES

MY TEARS HAVE SUBSIDED
YET, I AM LEFT WITH THE PAIN
I HEAR MYSELF LAUGHING
YET,  ONLY HEAR MY MOURNFUL CRY
I AM LIVING, BUT SLOWLY DYING INSIDE


DARLIN', I CAN'T FORGET YOU'RE GONE
I AM SURROUNDED BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS
I HEAR THEIR VOICES AND LAUGHTER
IT SHOULD BE AS MUSIC TO MY EARS
YET, IT ONLY BRINGS ME EMPTINESS AND TEARS


LIFE IS JUST NOT THE SAME, YOU ARE NOT HERE
WHEN WILL IT LEAVE ME, THIS UNBEARABLE PAIN?
MUST EVERY DAY OF SUNSHINE
BE ANOTHER  DAY OF ENDLESS, DEAFENING RAIN?


MY TEARS HAVE SUBSIDED
YET, I AM LEFT WITH THE PAIN
I AM SLOWLY CRAWLING OUT OF THE VALLEY OF DARKNESS
MY TEARS ARE SUBSIDING
YET, I AM LEFT WITH THE VOID


FROM THE ASHES I MUST GIVE BIRTH TO JOY
FROM THE ASHES I MUST GIVE MY LIFE NEW MEANING
I NOW AWAKEN WITH ONLY ONE PURPOSE
TO LIVE  WITH AN ABUNDANT HEART
FOR IT IS ONLY THEN I CAN GIVE YOUR MEMORY A VOICE


FROM THE ASHES I SAW THE LIGHT
THE TEARS WERE MY SALVATION
I WALKED THROUGH THE STORM
AND GAIN, I KNOW, LOVE IS SUBLIME!


REBIRTH FROM THE ASHES
AGAIN, I REJOICE!
IT TOOK A LONG , LONG TIME
BUT NOW I KNOW...YOU HAVE NEVER LEFT ME
AND NOW I KNOW, YOU NEVER WILL...

YOU WERE; YOU ARE STILL  MINE!

LOVE FOR THE MOMENT

ONCE I WAS ASKED BY MY SON, PETER , LIKE A LOT OF CHILDREN MUST HAVE ASKED OTHER PARENTS, WHICH ONE OF US DID I LOVE THE MOST. I THOUGHT ABOUT IT FOR A FEW MOMENTS WANTING TO GIVE A GOOD ANSWER AND AN HONEST ONE.

"WELL, SON, I GUESS IT IS THE ONE THAT IS WITH ME AT THE MOMENT BECAUSE HE NEEDS ME AND WANTS ANSWERS FROM ME; ANSWERS ONLY I CAN GIVE YOU. BUT WHEN I HAVE ANOTHER BROTHER OR SISTER IN FRONT OF ME TALKING AND SHARING; IT IS THAT ONE". HE UNDERSTOOD AND WAS SATISFIED. HE SMILED, KNOWING THAT AT THAT MOMENT I LOVED HIM THE MOST .
HE SCURRIED OUT TO PLAY, SMILING AS HE ALWAYS DID. IT WAS THE BEST ANSWER I COULD GIVE. AND OVER THE YEARS I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT WITH FRIENDS OR LOVERS, THE SAME HOLDS TRUE. WE LOVE THOSE WHO ARE WITH US AT THAT MOMENT; OTHERS CERTAINLY DISAGREE, BUT I DO NOT THINK HUMAN BEINGS ARE CAPABLE OF MORE. IF WE GIVE ONE OUR FULL ATTENTION WE REALLY CAN LOVE FOR THAT PRESENT MOMENT...NOW WHEN A MOTHER , LIKE MYSELF, THAT WAS LUCKY  TO HAVE SIX CHILDREN AND WE GATHER FOR OUR FAMILY OUTINGS, I JUST GLOW; IT CAN BE OVERWHELMING AND I OFTEN GO TO ANOTHER ROOM WHERE I CAN BE ALONE AND I HAVE A SIMPLE PRAYER: "THANK YOU GOD, FOR THIS MOMENT"

The Madonna in My Life

I remember her white nightgown, the typical campo style worn in Mexico, her long flowing black  hair on both sides of her face. I was in awe of this Mexican beauty, my beautiful mother, Alexandria. Everything was white in her room, the light was brilliant almost  as if there were an aura around her. She was lovingly holding a baby. Later I learned he was my brother, little Andrew. She smiled and stroked his his head gently and with the back of her hand she touched his face. It was surreal, magical and confusing.
I felt like an intruder, maybe that was the word, I don't know for sure; I was just a little girl. I thought she looked like a Madonna, holding the Christ child. I remember those images from church. She looked so sad.
It frightened me to see her cry, tears falling down her face and she sobbed quietly and held the baby tight to her chest.  I had never seen mother cry before.I felt frozen;I wanted to help my mother, but I could not. I prayed she would not see me.This was a grown up thing. I did not understand. But I just wanted her to smile again.
 I had witnessed a sacred moment; Andrew died a few days later...

MY NAME IS FRED / LYRICS

WHEN I WAS A YOUNG GIRL, I HEARD FATHER SAY
CHASE BUTTERFLIES AND PLAY WITH YOUR FRIENDS
REMEMBER THE ROSES IN OUR BACK YARD
'CAUSE THE COSMOS, THE COSMOS, STILL WILL BE THERE

LET THE MEN FLY, FLY HIGH
LET THE MEN HUNT AND GO TO WAR
LET THE MEN SEARCH FOR RICHES AND FAME
YOU, MY DAUGHTER, JUST HONOR OUR NAME!

FOLLOW THE RAINBOWS WHERE EVER YOU GO
FOLLOW THE RAINBOWS WHERE EVER YOU GO
AND YOU'LL ALWAYS, YOU'LL ALWAYS,  BE RIGHT AT HOME
'CAUSE THE COSMOS, THE COSMOS, STILL WILL BE THERE

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS, WHERE EVER YOU GO
DAUGHTER, MY DARLIN', DON'T FORGET WHAT I'VE SAID
I AM YOUR FATHER, YOUR DADDY, YOUR DAD
MY NAME IS FRED

DON'T  FORGET ME
AND THE THINGS I HAVE SAID
I AM YOUR FATHER, I AM YOUR FRIEND
AND I'VE LOVED YOU
MY NAME IS FRED!

YOU KEEP ON SINGING AND WRITING YOUR SONGS
JUST REMEMBER TO HONOR HIS NAME!
JUST REMEMBER TO HONOR HIS NAME!
'CAUSE THE COSMOS, THE COSMOS, STILL WILL BE THERE!

NEVER FORGET ME AND THE THINGS THAT I'VE SAID
I AM YOUR FATHER, MY NAME IS FRED
I AM YOUR FATHER, MY NAME IS FRED!

Dear John, My Soldier John/ lyrcs

DEAR JOHN, DEAR JOHN,  MY SOLDIER JOHN
WILL YOU BE THERE WAITING FOR ME
AS YOU PROMISED ME?
WILL YOU BE THERE  BENT ON YOUR KNEES
AS YOU PROMISED ME?

WILL YOU BE THERE TO GENTLY CLOSE MY EYES
WILL YOU BE THERE TO HOLD MY HAND
AS YOU DID BACK THEN,
AS YOU DID FOR YOUR MEN?
WILL YOU SHED A TEAR FOR ME?

WILL YOU BE THERE AS YOU PROMISED ME?
WILL YOU BE THERE , AS YOU DID THEN
AS YOU DID IN FOREIGN LANDS?
AS YOU DID IN VIET NAM?

DEAR JOHN, DEAR JOHN, MY SOLDIER JOHN
WILL YOU BE THERE WAITING FOR ME?
AS YOU PROMISED ME?
WILL YOU GIVE ME MY LAST FAREWELL?
WILL YOU GENTLY CLOSE MY EYES?

WILL YOU BE THERE HOLDING MY HAND
WILL YOU SMILE ONCE MORE FOR ME?
AND WALK ME TO THE PROMISED LAND?
AND WALK ME TO THE PROMISED LAND...?

I Am Home Again / I Am Found!

In the early mornings, with a cup of coffee in hand, I write. I suspect that loving life is my greatest asset. It has not always been so. Many years after losing a very wonderful and amazing son, Peter. He died saving his friend.  All our lives changed that afternoon... I was so much in the state of pure hate and confusion. I felt I had played by the rules, tried my best to raise thoughtful and caring children and become the best wife possible, then Peter dies so unexpectedly. He has been the rock and my foundation to my present and liberating faith.
 The time finally came when I realized that my family could not heal, unless I healed. They could not accept our horrible reality if  I did not, especially my husband. He had witnessed the worst in humanity and the most honorable acts of love and courage in his career as a soldier. But the sudden death of his son was more than he could bear. After I seemed to get stronger, he fell into the darkest time, seldom speaking to anyone for almost two agonizing years. He seemed devoid of any feeling. I struggled and endured. I felt  I  was holding us all back: the thought came to mind that if God was good enough for my dear parents, well, He was more than good enough for me! Then one amazing day I fell to the ground and pleaded to God to forgive me. And it was like other's have written, I felt bathed in warmth and sunlight. I felt forgiven and I was home again. I soon saw that all the times I was hating God, I was thinking more of Him than during my  years of complete adoration and acceptance of  my Catholic faith, the faith of my family and my youth.  I was again at home with the Christ child, home to walk in His light. My children are still on their own path, still denying God. I pray and wait. Greater still is my personal belief that God will touch them and also welcome them home.
Life of the unbeliever is fine for them. It is where they are comfortable. But I no longer reach for the easy way out. I know, now, that only through my own agony that I have been welcomed to His embracing and forgiving arms. They, for the most part , are lost in their own intellect, in their thirst for understanding, and they are content with their own conclusions. They choose their own way through the maze of their own thoughts. But thoughts change, growth and enlightenment eventually  takes over. I have great hope. They too will find themselves on their knees. We are too frail and they rely on our human frailty to give them strength.  They read and study and work their way through life and life's events. Besides, they are too busy for life's secrets, too busy to notice God's whispers, God's healing  touch.  Someday,  they too will walk with Him and experience the Omnipresence. For it is God's plan that all children come back to Him.  He is Patience beyond comprehension . I could not have been more in denial . My mind could not have been more rigid and closed.  I could not have been more lost, but now I am found!

ANGEL OF MERCY

ANGEL OF MERCY, HAVE MERCY ON US
ANGEL OF MERCY, HAVE MERCY ON ME
ANGEL OF MERCY SET US FREE

ANGEL OF MERCY, REMIND ME THAT FORGIVING IS DIVINE
ANGEL OF MERCY, BLESS ME AND MINE
ANGEL OF MERCY, PROTECT AND GUIDE MY FRIENDS , MY FAMILY

REMIND US THAT LOVE IS GIVEN FREELY
YET, STILL  MUST BE EARNED TO KEEP
GRANT FORGIVENESS AND MERCY IN OUR HEARTS
ANGEL OF MERCY, SET US FREE

MAY WE ALL   BECOME WORTHY OF THEE
THE ONLY PERFECT LOVE WHICH EXISTS
WHICH IS YOURS TO GIVE
FOR PERFECTION IS ONLY THINE!

ANGEL OF MERCY, BLESS OUR GATHERINGS
BLESS OUR FRIENDS AT OUR TABLE
OUR LOVED ONES WHOM HAVE PASSED
FOR IN SPIRIT AND WITH OUR LOVE
THEIR PRESENCE LASTS...

ANGEL OF MERCY, BLESS THIS BREAD
ANGEL OF MERCY, BLESS THIS MEAL
REMIND US THAT IN CALLING YOUR NAME
THIS BECOMES OUR TIME SHARED, OUR SACRED TIME
OUR JOYOUS CELEBRATION OF LIFE
 WE COME TO REJOICE AND TO HEAL...

"BLESSED IS HE, WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD"
ANGEL OF MERCY, YOUR BLESSING IS OUR REWARD...
IN THE STILL OF OUR MINDS WE LOVE
WITH  PEACE IN OUR HEARTS WE REJOICE
ANGEL OF MERCY, MAY WE ALWAYS BE BOUND TO THEE!

Everywhere I go, I'm Remembering You

                     EVERYWHERE I GO, I'M REMEMBERING YOU

EVERYWHERE I GO, I'M REMEMBERING YOU
EVERYWHERE I GO, I'M REMEMBERING YOU
I TURN AROUND, KNOWING YOU WON'T BE THERE
I TURN AROUND, KNOWING YOU WON'T BE THERE
STILL, I TURN AROUND , I TURN AROUND HOPING TO FIND A GLIMPSE OF YOU

EVERYWHERE I GO, I'M REMEMBERING HOW IT USED TO BE...
WHEN YOU WERE YOU AND YOU AND I WERE WE
EVERYWHERE I GO, I'M REMEMBERING HOW IT USED TO BE...
WHEN YOU WERE YOU AND YOU AND I WERE WE

EVERYWHERE I GO, I TURN AROUND HOPING TO FIND A GLIMPSE OF YOU
I TURN AROUND KNOWING YOU WON'T BE THERE
I TURN AROUND KNOWING YOU WON'T BE THERE
STILL, I TURN AROUND , I TURN ROUND, KNOWING YOU WON'T BE THERE
EVERYWHERE I GO, I'M REMEMBERING YOU
EVERYWHERE I GO, I'M REMEMBERING YOU

EVERYWHERE I GO, I STILL FEEL LOVED BY YOU
EVERYWHERE I GO, I STILL FEEL LOVED BY YOU
EVERYWHERE I GO, I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU
EVERYWHERE I GO, I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU!

EVERYWHERE I GO, I M REMEMBERING YOU
EVERYWHERE I GO, I'M REMEMBERING HOW IT USED TO BE...
WHEN YOU WERE YOU AND YOU AND I WERE WE
WHEN YOU WERE YOU AND YOU AND I WERE WE
WHEN YOU WERE YOU AND YOU AND I WERE WE!