Monthly Archives: May 2015
Morning Will Come
Filed under Encouraged Comfort, Hope For the Hopeless
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who DIED in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.
All gave some – Some gave all.
Filed under Uncategorized
Book Review – “Running in Heels” by Mary A. Perez
From another fan across the miles! Tina, you’re awesome and have captured my heart!
I just finished reading “Running in Heels” – a terrific memoir by one of my special Blog buddies, Mary A. Perez. I must admit that I was not prepared for the multi-faceted journey that I experienced as I read this book, finding myself vacillating between tears and laughter, fear and hope as I rooted for this courageous and tenacious young girl as she worked to make a life for herself and, eventually, her children. What struck me most about Mary was her determination to love and to be loved. She travailed through abandonment, neglect, lack, and a contorted view of love, only to evolve, against all odds, into a dedicated and determined mother, and endearing and graceful daughter, a faithful and loyal wife and, most importantly of all, a triumphant and powerful woman of God. As she tried to become embittered, Mary’s heart was somehow strangely open as she continually doled out forgiveness and second chances…
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Filed under Uncategorized
Book Review
A beautiful, heartfelt review of my book that brought me to tears. Testimonies from readers like these confirm that out of all my messes, I did something right! God bless you, Cate.
Let's Have Another Piece of Pie
A fellow blogger that crossed my path a while ago has published a book. It is full of truth and pain and her reality. Her memoir.
I purchased this book through amazon.com for my kindle. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. But I had to. I tend to feel the pain as I read and needed short breaks. That is a GOOD thing. Why? Because we all have come from dysfunctional backgrounds. But some faced harder things than we may have. Or perhaps I should say different things in our past.
I never went hungry or was physically abused. I had more of the verbal attacks and great loss and left to myself to heal.
As I read through Mary’s book, Running in Heels, I thought of people I have met over the years who had to endure great pain. Is it fair…
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Filed under Book Review, Houston Authors, Running in Heels
First Day on the Job – 1972
“Hold the pickles, Hold the lettuce, Special orders don’t upset us,
All we ask is you let us, Serve it your way.”
Our uniforms reminded me of ketchup and mustard. After riding the city bus to Miami Beach to my first paying job, I’d pasted on a smile, greeted customers, took their burger and drink orders and handled the cash register.

“Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace” page 101
#TBT – Yeah, I did that.
Filed under Memoir, Running in Heels
Book Review: Running In Heels- A Memoir of Grit and Grace
Just want to thank Teresa for this wonderful book review! She rocks!
Mary A. Perez is a WordPress Blogger and the author of her gripping memoir Running In Heels. This raw memoir begins with Mary Perez’s childhood and that mysterious resilience that children often have when life treats them harshly. We read how this little girl dug within herself to find her inner strength to survive even when it meant stealing cold cuts from stray cats. The journey takes us through her sad loss of her childhood where we are also seized by her experience of tragic loss.
At times the book reads like a journey through time as Mary grows up and recounts events in her life which coincide with historical events such as the assassination of Martin Luther King and the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan. There are some small fond memories of TV programs of the 60’s and 70’s and popular food labels of that time. We also…
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Filed under Uncategorized
If I Had Known …
If I had known then what I know now,
I would have stopped the clock and savor every precious moment.
Instead, I found myself encumbered with the daily task of trying to keep afloat in being a mother.
If I had know then what I know now,
I would have frozen time just to gaze upon your little chest, rising and falling with every heartbeat while you slept peacefully in your crib.
If I had known then what I know now,
I would have sung more lullabies while rocking you on my lap, nestled in my arms, given you more kisses, and chased away all nightmares.
I’d have tickled you harder, squeezed you tighter, laughed with you louder, played silly games with you longer.
I would have taken more walks in the park, built many sand castles, eaten more ice cream cones with sprinkles, dug for the best sea shells, rode on all the merry-go-rounds, climbed every rock, smelled every flower, played catch more, run through the rain puddles, taken more photos and captured every single moment with you!
I was needed when you were small; you relied upon me then. If I only could now, I would hold you closer still, wipe your every teardrop, chase your every fear, and never let you down.
But the tide has turned, I can only watch from a distant. The sun has set and hidden beyond the horizon. My silent tears serve as a constant reminder that the times are fleeting. With every hour. Every minute. Every second.
My heart swells with pride to see that you, my children, have blossomed and matured.
But if I had known then what I know now … I would have done things so much different. I would have hushed the madness with all the hustle and bustle sooner, and cherished those magic moments when you were small, to cradle you in my arms forever and never, ever let you go.
Me, qualified?
I am so glad that God doesn’t call the qualified but He qualifies the called! I am one that may feel like puking my guts up before an event. But then once the execution is over, I may bawl like a baby! As much as I am thankful for the grit in me to undertake a task, I am much more grateful for the grace of God that carries me through a task. I don’t take this lightly.
Be yourself, nobody else is better qualified than you.
This weekend, I had a wonderful opportunity in sharing my heart at Howard Partridge’s Round Table. I was blessed, not only by the warm reception, but especially by the men in the conference being so responsive. Many voiced to me how touched they were by my words, as they reflected on their own situations or someone dear to them.
Regardless of faith, status, education or race, we’ve all felt discouraged, rejected, abandoned or betrayed at one point or another. We’ve all had our dreams smashed, our dignity shot, our hearts torn, and our hope lost.
If my life of peril can become a life of promise, yours can too. I believe your yesterdays does not have to define your todays. Just remember: You may not be where you want to be today, but thank God you are not where you once were.
Filed under Inspiration