You Light Up My Life

So many nights I’d sit by my window
Waiting for someone to sing me his song
So many dreams I kept deep inside me
Alone in the dark, but now you’ve come along

And you light up my life
You give me hope to carry on
You light up my days
And fill my nights with song

Rollin’ at sea, adrift on the water
Could it be finally I’m turning for home?
Finally, a chance to say hey, I love you
Never again
To be all alone

‘Cause you light up my life
You give me hope to carry on
You light up my days
And fill my nights with song

‘Cause you, you light up my life
You give me hope to carry on
You light up my days
And fill my nights with song

It can’t be wrong
When it feels so right
‘Cause you, you light up my life

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Happy Twenty-First Wedding Anniversary to the one who continually lights up my life.

Here’s to twenty-one more years together. I love you, babe.

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April 6, 2015 · 12:00 AM

Reflecting on Easter

Found a beautiful poem written by Helen Steiner Rice titled

Easter Reflections

With OUR EYES we see
The beauty of Easter
as the earth awakens once more…

With OUR EARS we hear
The birds sing sweetly
to tell us Spring again is here…

With OUR HANDS we pick
the golden daffodils
and the fragrant hyacinths…

But only with OUR HEARTS
can we feel the MIRACLE of GOD’S LOVE
which redeems all men…

And only with OUR SOUL
can we make our ‘pilgrimage to God’
and inherit His Easter Gift of ETERNAL LIFE.

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Filed under Easter, poetry

Today’s Featured Author: Mary A. Perez

I got to do a guest blog today! Thank you Susan, I am honored to be here!

susanleighnoble's avatarInto Another World

Today author Mary A. Perez stops by my blog as part of her Running in Heels virtual book tour.

Interview

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am Puerto Rican descent, meaning both my maternal and paternal grandparents, as well as my father, were all born and raised in the Island of Puerto Rico, which by the way, I have yet to visit!

Where were you born and where do you call home?

I was born in the Bronx and raised in Miami. In the year ’77 we moved to Texas. Although Houston has been my home for the past 38 years, I am far from having a Southern country accent. I am told that I sound like I am from up North. Go figure.

What is the best thing about being a writer? The worst?

The best thing about being a writer is that writing can be therapeutic. It…

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Girls Night Out University

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A little update to continue this journey with you all. Last night was new territory for me, as I had the honor and the privilege of speaking 11119507_10206612723224616_4333682381497684401_nbefore several women at my church. I was asked to share my heart about overcoming some of the adversities mentioned in my book, Running in Heels. There were six of us speakers who were each given a classroom to hold two 25-minute discussions on different topics. Although this was out of my norm, I felt an unusual calmness while delivering my message. You can rest assured that this entire event was saturated with prayer!

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To be surrounded by precious ladies–many who had read my book, many who hadn’t–all attentive to my every word touched me in a special way. Many came up to me afterward to give me an encouraging word. But I couldn’t be more blessed than to have the honor of praying for others hurting as they walked through their own struggles.

We should never be ashamed of our pain. Whether you’re going through the valley, or over the mountaintop: WE NEED ONE ANOTHER.

© M.A. Pérez 2015, All Rights Reserved

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Filed under New Territory, Speaking Event

MenilFest

MenilFest
On April 18th, I’ll be joining many authors, artists, and musicians at Houston’s annual MenilFest! The festival goes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., so if you’re in town, be prepared for an ENTIRE day of entertainment.

MenilFest is an annual one-day festival of art, words, and noise bringing together the visual, literary, and performing arts organizations located on the Menil Collection campus.

Now in its 7th year, MenilFest! is a unique merger of literature, performance art, and words–both spoken and written.

This family-oriented outdoor festival is brimming with live performances, films, artists, food trucks, and wordsmiths and takes place on the beautifully austere 30-acre Menil campus.

Featuring nearly 100 independent authors, bookstores, magazines, presses, and literary arts organizations!

Check back often or follow me on Twitter (@MarysReflection) for more details as the book fair approaches.

LOCATION
   1533 Sul Ross St
   Houston, TX — 77006

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Filed under Book Promotion, MenilFest

My Two Year Anniversary with WordPress

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Time has flown by! WordPress sent me a message stating that it is my ‘Two-Year Anniversary’ with them. Amazing!

When I first started out, progress was a bit on the slow side of things, but steady. I thought, “Not too shabby for someone who has a 40-hour workweek, helps to care for a 104-year-old, and writes in between!” Well, let me tell you that things have picked up quite a bit since then! Matter of fact, I feel as if I’m on a roller coaster traveling faster and farther with my hair blowing in the wind and the sun shining on my face! It’s both scary and exhilarating at the same time.

I will share a few stats from the last 2 years:

100 original posts
1384 faithful followers – WordPress, Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin’, Tumblr
9,740 views to date (was 3,220) – U.S. being number one, followed by Brazil, China, United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Philippines, with France & Australia tied, India, Spain Netherlands, Mexico …
The most viewed post besides the About Me page is Running in Heels
The second most viewed post is News Flash
And the third most viewed posts is My Sister, If Only
Most commented was About Me Page & The Little Green Dress
Most popular topics were: determination, memoir, perseverance
My top commenter: Sandra DiGiovanni

My followers know that I have recently published my first book, “Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace.” The “experts” said that a newbie (yours truly) should have a writer’s platform. So, I started a Facebook writer’s fan page, and two years ago, I began blogging about past and current events.

I’ve been especially happy since signing up with WordPress.com, thanks to its user-friendliness, which makes it easy to navigate.

From time to time, I do include short excerpts from my book, and to my delight, you readers are wanting and asking for more. This is good! Since I started blogging, I have reconnected with friends, acquaintances, and yes, family members from across the miles. I have made many new friends and fellow bloggers who not only take the time to read but also leave positive comments and inspiring feedback. This is great!

Bottom line: I feel blessed beyond measure. And I appreciate each and every one of you for visiting my site–newcomers and old–and sticking with me throughout this journey to the finish line. My one regret? That I didn’t start blogging sooner.

Feel free to leave a comment about topics that interest you most.

Thank you again for your support and for following this blog – from my heart to yours.

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Filed under Blogging, Memoir, Wordpress Anniversary

The Sunday Show – Defining Moments – Mary Ann Pérez – Author, Blogger and Survivor

I wish to thank Sally Cronin for the honor of allowing me to be a guest on her wonderful blog, “The Sunday Show: Smorgasbord – Variety is the Spice of Life“. Her blog is indeed uplifting, filled with savor and spice in today’s world.

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Houston Authors Bash – 2015

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On this day, I had my first big book signing event, rubbing shoulders with over 100 other authors. A lot of work and labor of love went into it behind the scenes, spanning weeks, days, hours, and even minutes beforehand. Family and friends braved the cold and wet weather to stop by and share my special day with me. I was intoxicated with emotions as I ran around giggling, boohooing, and giggling again. This was one exhilarating day, an event that I will hold dear to my heart and cherish for a lifetime.

Do you have a passion? Is there a dream in your heart that motivates you to do something? With perseverance and determination, dreams do come true. Be a dream chaser. Dream big. Don’t quit. Every journey begins with a single step.

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Filed under Houston Authors Bash book signing event, Running in Heels

Guest Blogger: Mary A. Perez (This Thing Called Tears)

I wish to thank Faith Simone for the honor in allowing me to be a guest on her blog, “All Things Written…To Encourage & Inspire“. Her blog is indeed encouraging and inspiring as she unselfishly pays it forward.

Faith Simone's avatarFaith Simone

There are a few people walking the earth brave enough to wear their hearts on their sleeves; not because they’re careless or foolish, but because they’ve been through enough to know that each time they share their stories they celebrate their triumph. They’ve won. Mary Perez, of Reflections from the Heart, is one of those people.


This Thing Called Tears by Mary PerezMAry I consider myself a tough cookie. After all, aren’t I a survivor? I’ve survived some hard times: A broken home by age three, followed by poverty, hunger, homelessness, alcoholism, neglect, loss of a sibling at age nine, two near-drowning incidents, in a car wreck, juvenile detention home, taunting, brawls, racism, alternative schooling, marriage to a ruthless man twice my age, bearing four children by the time I was twenty-two—three  by cesarean—physical abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, betrayal, hopelessness, despair, rejection, abandonment, being shot at (he missed), divorce, single-parenting …

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Out of My Comfort Zone

Several years ago, the desire to write my memoirs was conceived. I didn’t know how far it would go or what the outcome would be. That didn’t matter to me because the more I wrote, the more the desire grew. The passion to complete the journey burned from within.

I never imagined the outcome. But I know now, God was in it.

After writing a couple of years on my own, I started mentioning what I was doing to some people and received some great advice and direction. Like a sponge, I soaked in all the info I could and soon realized that I needed to join others with the same passion. I started visiting writing groups and even joined a couple. Every week, I took notes, listened to critiques, shared ideas, and discussed scenes and sequels with my peers. I entered a few contests and some writing essays. I knew then that I had a story to share that would inspire others.

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I also learned that I needed a writer’s platform, so I started a Facebook fan page, a blog website, and finally, a Twitter account. Along this journey, I’ve met some incredibly talented people face-to-face, as well as through social media.

The time has come when I am definitely way out of my comfort zone. Matter of fact, as I timidly began this writing journey, wading into the water, it quickly went from ankle-deep to knee-deep. And the water continues to rise.

I am not perfect. I’m not some superwoman with superpowers able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. I am just like you. I am aware of my weaknesses and limitations. However, I am ready to take the next step, and I dare say I will not do it alone. God has given me resiliency. He has given me favor and is opening doors. As I rely on Him–more now than ever–He sends the right people at the right time. Each one holds a special place in my heart and has touched me in different ways. Some plant and some water, but God gives the increase. I don’t take this experience lightly or for granted.

I had a dream. I never dreamt it would go this far.

I am about to give birth to my dream. Soon, my first book, “Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace,” launches. In just a few days, I will hold the books that I call my babies in my hands. For starters, I will attend book signings, blog tours, radio interviews, conferences, and speaking engagements. I may not know where I’m going, but I remember where I once was. And that’s enough.

Do you have a dream? Does something take you out of your comfort zone? That means you are growing, stretching, and bettering yourself. Does it scare the hell out of you? Good.

Go for it. If I can, you can. Reach for the stars. The sky’s the limit.

© M.A. Pérez 2015, All Rights Reserved

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Filed under memoir book project, Writing Journey