My Voice, My Heart, My Life

Today my little brothers turn 30. It's hard to believe that so much time has passed. Being the oldest gives me the opportunity to look back at all 30 years. The good, the bad and the ugly. Being the older sister of twins is no easy task. Brothers in general are tough, but being out maned 2 to1 is something else. Since the beginning they have had a special bond. Having been together 9 months prior allowed them to form a relationship that I have always envied. Being twins has served them well. They always had someone to talk to, to confide in, to fight with, to plan mad scheme to torture their sister with and to love. It's a beautiful thing. God blessed them from the beginning. He blessed them with a best friend from day 1. People have always commented on their closeness. They're in awe of two people who could have such a marvelous link. I'm prone to agree with them. Their bond is so intricate and so precious. If they didn't have each other, I believe that ther...

Life has been full of a few good, some stressful and others just plain crazy moments.  I have been so spent and worn down that I've felt that I've had nothing good to write about. I've had no inspiration. I couldn't think of anything. I just couldn't gather my thoughts and put pen to paper, so to speak. Ultimately, I had no desire to write. A grey cloud of doubt, fear, worry, anxiety and stress have followed me where I go. It penetrated all areas of life. I was searching for peace amongst the chaos, to no avail. I moved one way, the chaos followed.  I moved another way the grey cloud meet me there. Peace and rest were no where to be found. The mental drain affected my everyday activities. Everything just felt more overwhelming. I was extremely tried and restless. I was at my whit's end.  I knew what I had to do, but I just didn't have the energy or will. I knew the hole of misery was deep when I stopped posting scripture. I know that sounds like a simpl...

I've been putting off writing this particular post for weeks now. I knew that once I started writing,  reality would set in and I would have to accept the fact that one of my closest friends would be moving. I can't avoid it any longer. For the past 10 years I've had the pleasure of knowing Gloria Johanna Castillo, or as I call her Joha. We met at work, she was teaching art and I was teaching kindergarten. Her daughter, Abby was in my class. Joha is one of those people that draws other people. She is vibrant, passionate and loving. I could see her passion in her art, her love in the children and her vibrancy in her personality. Throughout these past 10 years I have gotten to know a very special woman. I have seen her through good times and bad times. I have seen her grow in her faith and inspire others. I have seen her be an advocate for those without a voice. I have seen her speak her mind without apologies. I have seen her become Fearless in Christ. The fact that...

As long as I can remember there have been double standards. In all areas of life double standards exist. It's unavoidable. It's the dirty little secret that no one thinks they have. I recently learned about a double standard that shocked and upset me.  A girl living in Davis, California (will call her Jane) was being harassed and at one point beat up by 2 Hispanic girls. She suffered major injuries that required surgery and had to be hospitalized for ten days. The attack was reported to the police and the girl's mother wanted to file it as a hate crime. The attackers yelled slurs and hateful words regarding her race. They hurt her because of the color of her skin. In any definition that would be a hate crime. The Davies police said that they couldn't file it as a hate crime because her daughter is white. That's right you read that correctly. It's not a hate crime if the victim is White. I can't believe it. Had the colors been turned around, 2 White...

  Fifty years ago, people from far and wide marched their way to Washington D.C. to hear a preacher whose words promoted love, peace and unity. Thousands of people filled the National Mall. Hope, joy, pride and honor was in the heart of these souls. In front of the Lincoln Memorial stood the man who had brought them together; strong in his faith and purpose. He knew this movement he lead was God's purpose for his life. Little did he know that the words he would speak that day would be the most powerful and influential in the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr spoke from his heart. He had a dream. He had a vision for this great nation and he was going to do everything in his power to see it accomplished. His words evoked passion and truth. He demanded more of his country.   "We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gra...

A couple of days ago we learned that Lee Thompson Young, 29, took his own life. If you're not familiar with him he was a Disney kid star in Jett Jackson and more recently played Lt. Frost on Rizzoli and Isles. He was handsome, good at his craft, got paid well, wore the designer labels and was very charismatic. In the world of Hollywood he was on track to hit it big. By the world's standard he had no reason to take his life. In the eyes of the world he seem to have it all. A month ago, one of the stars from Glee, Cory Monteith, 31, passed from an overdose. He had recognition, talent, money and an aspiring career. Outwardly he seemed to have everything, yet he felt empty. There are countless stories of these young stars dying by their own hand intentionally or not. Amy Winehouse (28), Kurt Cobain (27), Heath Ledger (29) , Gia Allemand (29) just to name a few. Each was at the height of their trade yet felt empty. Why? With everything they had why did they need an escape? ...

The silence has been broken. The sound of children has graced these quiet halls. The first day of school has arrived. The first day is always an exciting and stressful day for both student and teacher alike. Beginning anew is refreshing. The actions and words of the past are just that, in the past. It's a new chance to start over. The board is wiped clean and is ready to write a new story. It's exciting! A new chapter will be written. A chapter full of adventure, learning, joy, mystery, sadness, joy, laughter and all the emotions in between. Yes, a new school year brings much hope! With that hope there are dreams that one has for their students. You want them to succeed in this life. You want to provide the necessary skills and common sense to venture into this life with wisdom and discernment. You want them to take caution but not at the expense of adventure. You want them to think outside the box and yet not to abandon those things that are tried and true. Yes, as a teac...