Reflections From the Heart

May 23, 2015 · 5:07 PM

Book Review – “Running in Heels” by Mary A. Perez

From another fan across the miles! Tina, you’re awesome and have captured my heart!

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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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May 22, 2015 · 11:55 AM

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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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 paste 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.

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Filed under Memoir, Running in Heels

Tagged as Burger King, fastfood, memoir, Running in Heels, work

May 14, 2015 · 6:50 PM

Get to Know Me ~ From A to Z

Book Review: Running In Heels- A Memoir of Grit and Grace

Just want to thank Teresa for this wonderful book review! She rocks!

Home And Spirit

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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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If I Had Known …

If I had known then what I know now,

I would have stopped the clock and savored every precious moment.

Instead, I was encumbered with the daily task of trying to stay afloat as a mother.

If I had known 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, and played silly games with you longer.

I would have taken more walks in the park, built many sand castles, eat 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 only I 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, and I can only watch from a distance. The sun has set and is hidden beyond the horizon. My silent tears serve as a constant reminder that times are fleeting, with every hour, every minute, and 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 differently. I would have hushed the madness with all the hustle and bustle sooner, cherished those magic moments when you were small, cradled you in my arms forever, and never let you go.

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May 6, 2015 · 9:39 PM

May 2, 2015 · 10:03 PM

Me, qualified?

I am so glad that God doesn’t call the qualified, but He qualifies the called! I am one who 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 to share my heart at Howard Partridge’s Round Table. I was blessed, not only by the warm reception but especially by the men at 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 yesterday does not have to define your today. Just remember: You may not be where you want to be today, but thank God you are not where you once were.

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Tagged as Author, Howard Partridge Round Table, motivation, public speaking, qualified, rejection

April 27, 2015 · 7:12 PM

Five Star Treatment – Running in Heels by Mary Ann Pérez

Thank you Sally for this fabulous Five Star Treatment – I am honored to be featured on your wonderful blog!

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Tagged as Five Star Treatment Book Review, Mary A. Perez, Running in Heels

April 21, 2015 · 7:47 PM

Joy Comes in the Morning

My heart is heavy, Lord. I can’t go another day.

The sun is hiding its face from me. Dreams are shattered. My heart is torn. Sleep escapes me. My eyes are swollen from the never-ending tears. My head hangs low. My shoulders slumped over. My feet feel like they’re walking in concrete.

Yet You say: Trust Me.

I don’t know if I can hold on longer. I’m not sure I can take another step – another hour, another minute, another second. I can’t today, Lord. I feel like a failure. I have nothing left to give. This darkness doesn’t lift. There’s trouble on every side, darkness all around. The burden is too heavy. The valley is too long. The ocean too wide. The pit too deep. God, please don’t leave me like this! Don’t forsake me now! Whom do I have besides You, Lord?

Please, God. Help. Me. To live.

Yes, child, He whispers. I am here.

Maybe … just maybe, I’ll try again tomorrow.

Personal Note: I felt compelled to jot these words down. I don’t know who this is for, but you know who you are. May hope arise within your spirit, and may you sense the Father’s peace as only He can grant in the midst of the storm. May He fill the void from within and heal the pain in your heart. Yes, He loves you just the way you are, but too much to leave you that way.

Love,
Mary A. ~

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Tagged as burden, hope, inspiration, Prayer, troubled, weariness

April 13, 2015 · 9:33 PM

A Bigger Picture

Worth repeating!

A message I heard in church a few years ago was about three kinds of enemies. I’d like to share this insight with you, trusting that it’ll help you the way it did me.

HOLDERS – Those that want to hold you back.
PULLERS – Those that will pull you away.
CLINGERS – Those that keep you behind with them.

We probably all know someone in either category. We may have an idea, a vision, a dream, a desire, or feel passionate about something that we may share with somebody, but then that person does not share in our enthusiasm but merely seeks to crush our spirit. Before we know it, we are pulled back, stifled, crushed, and beaten down. I’m not saying there won’t be times when we are to make ourselves available in helping others. I am saying there will be times when we need to be around those who care enough to pour something back into us.

I need to be refilled. You need to be refilled.

MEDIOCRITY HATES VISION.

See the bigger picture of something greater and something better.

If we don’t grow, we die. This was me about four years ago. I wanted to grow, move forward, and better myself but only felt squashed and discouraged by those around me. Yet, they were moving forward. So in my prayer time, I sought guidance and courage. And when I heard my pastor’s message a few days later, it hit me.

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I took a leap of faith and moved on. Why? Because I knew God had something better for me.

I had to make a choice and yes, it was frightening. It took a few months, but it was the best decision I made for me. Still today I am in a much better place and in a much better job position. I am challenged, fulfilled, and continue to grow. I am encouraged for doing my best and appreciated all that I do. I work for a phenomenal boss and some pretty phenomenal people.

Sometimes you have to give up something good to gain something better.