Tag Archives: Florida

August 25, 2023 · 11:52 PM

Daddy’s 90th B/day Celebration/Family Reunion/ Florida Vacation

Some of you know we had to say goodbye to my 88-year-old mama, a little over three months ago. Her memory continues to linger. She was loved beyond words. Missed beyond measure. At times, whenever I enter her room, sadness still floods my soul. I’ve given my grief over to the Lord time and time again, and every day I am strengthened. We did our best to care for Mama during the few years she lived with us. When she went through major surgery, we sought outside professional help.

If you have read my memoir, you know my parents divorced when I was very young. Daddy still lives in Florida with my stepmother. Since their marriage, my dear sister has taken excellent care of them both. I was anxious about visiting Daddy this year for his 90th birthday. Needless to say, it was important to me that I be there.

The day finally arrived when we flew to Orlando for Daddy’s milestone birthday party. However, due to illnesses, etc., this big event almost didn’t happen. I am so thankful the special day came to fruition. We were there to help celebrate this grand occasion.

We enjoyed spending precious time with Daddy, Mama Gloria, siblings, aunts, uncles, and several cousins. Fourteen of us stayed overnight at a lovely 2-story Airbnb. My sister had reserved it, providing more than ample room with a swimming pool. More family members arrived the next day to celebrate Daddy’s birthday bash. We gathered around and ate to our heart’s content. The catered meal included Puerto Rican and Cuban dishes. The dishes were pernil (roasted pork roast) and arroz con gandules (yellow rice and pigeon peas). They also included Congri (Cuban rice mixed with black beans). We had maduros (sweet plantains) and Cuban-style yuca with garlic mojo. Photos were taken with the birthday boy, with cake and balloons.

Mornings consisted of indulging in delicious home-cooked breakfasts with café con leche. We exchanged stories, laughter, great conversations, singing, and prayers. Wonderful memories were made to last a lifetime. Daddy’s party was a wonderful event.

After our stay in the Airbnb, we continued with our vacation plans. We attended a dinner and tournament show at the Medieval Times Dinner Theater in Orlando. The entertainment was fantastic with beautiful horses, jousting, and cool sword fighting. During the performance, a tasty four-course meal was served. You had to eat with your hands, just like in medieval times. Other outings that week included a one-hour ride at Wild Willy’s Airboat Tour through Florida’s Everglades. We experienced some of Florida’s wildlife. We saw blue herons. There were also gators and their nests. We spotted small, beautiful, orange-looking birds. We even saw a bald eagle! One evening, we visited Old Town in Kissimmee with our cousins. We enjoyed a 30-year-old tradition of classic hot rods and muscle cars in a parade. On another day, the chances of rain did not stop us. We headed towards the lovely Anna Maria Beach. It has warm, clear turquoise water and white sand. The scenery did not disappoint. This was a little bit of heaven for me. It was hard to leave! Finally, we stopped and visited my stepson in Tampa. Surprisingly, he treated us to his mouth-watering specialty: reverse-seared ribeyes, and tomahawk steaks!

Looking back now, I am thankful for all that transpired during our week in Florida. My main takeaway: Daddy remembered me. He remembered all of us. He was present, engaging, and loving. He even said a prayer over us. It felt good to feel his love while hugging him tightly. It was special to see my nieces and nephew and see how they have grown. I reconnected with some cousins whom I hadn’t seen in a minute. It was nice to get to know them.

Remember: family time is essential. Embrace all that God has blessed you with; weed out the pettiness and all that is cumbersome. Life is short and fleeting. You blink and you miss a moment. Count your blessings and focus on the bigger picture on this side of heaven called life’s journeys. It is a gift.

(I especially want to thank Titi Sonia and Tio Manny for graciously putting us up in their lovely home.)

Please enjoy some photos taken of our vacation week.

3 Comments

Filed under Daddy's 90th, Florida vacation

Tagged as 90th birthday, boricuas, familia, Florida, memoirs, personal, Puerto Rican pride, reunion, thankfulness, travels, vacation

December 15, 2016 · 12:22 PM

Part II ~ On a Wing and a Prayer

In counting my blessings this Thanksgiving holiday, I can’t help but think about all of the challenges (See Part One) we’ve experienced these past few months. It’s been refreshing for me to enjoy some quality time with my long-distance familia, especially being with Daddy again. Those who’ve read my memoir know how grateful I am that my maternal grandmother kept in contact with my dad after he and my mother divorced. I was only three when my parents separated and five when their divorce was finalized. I am happy to report that in my adult years, I’ve come to know the love of my heavenly Father, and I am equally delighted to report that I’ve come to know the love of my earthly father as well. I know many don’t have this luxury. Even though miles separate us, I am thankful that Daddy is still around and full of life. I wouldn’t change anything about him; I love him just as he is – young at heart!

Within a few days, we had the pleasure of visiting two of Daddy’s cariñosas sisters who exude warm, big, and loving hearts. Titi Blanca and Titi Viviana were gracious during our visits. The other can surely cook up a storm without being outdone by the other. Their specialties were arroz con pollo, a delicious one-pot meal closely related to paella, and ropa vieja, which is shreds of meat, peppers, and onions resembling a mess of colorful rags. We helped ourselves to seconds … or thirds and chased it down with a warm cup of cafe con leche. Unfortunately, we missed seeing another aunt on this trip, but promised Titi Edie that she would be the first stop on our next visit to Florida.

My hubby’s busted ribs from his 20 fall are still healing. He is such a trooper. Although needing to do a lot of sitting, even taking naps when allowed, he still wanted to participate in all our mini-vacation festivities. We spent half a day lounging under the sunny Florida skies at Bayside, Downtown Miami’s shopping, dining, and entertainment center. We enjoyed the live music and watching couples dancing to the merengue. We skipped the booze and ordered shots of espresso Cuban coffee (but I like mine with plenty of warm milk), and we ate pastelitos de guayaba, mmmmm.

Our oldest, Anna Marie, joined us on this trip, flying in before we did. The last time she visited la familia was on her 18th birthday — 22 years ago! We celebrated her birthday again in Miami, which was pretty special.

On our last evening, the hardest part is always saying goodbye. You cannot keep the tears at bay as they start to fall. I still hate goodbyes, especially with long-distance loved ones. After Mark’s accident and in preparation for this getaway, many prayers had gone forth. There were numerous times when I wasn’t sure we would make this trip for the holidays. But I am so thankful to the Lord that together we made it and are stronger than before. When you’re in the midst of a crisis, things come into focus, and the pettiness of yesterday takes a back seat. We dare not take one another for granted. Look around you. Life is worth living when you begin to count your blessings.

But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31

5 Comments

Filed under Florida, Vacation

Tagged as Bayside, Downtown Miami, familia, Family, Florida, Ft. Lauderdale, personal, Prayer, Puerto Rican pride, reunion, thankfulness

December 8, 2016 · 11:02 PM

On a Wing and a Prayer

Challenges, unexpected events, escalating frustrations—do you ever have them? It’s called life. I’ve titled this vacation “On a wing and a prayer, ” and plenty of prayers have gone forth.

Reservations were made three months early. But after my husband sustained a 20-foot fall, which resulted in 13 fractured ribs, punctured lungs, and an extended hospital stay weeks before our scheduled flight, we weren’t sure we would even make this trip. And wouldn’t you know it, the day before we were to head out, I had a fender-bender right after leaving the office. I had just crossed over to the opposite lane when BAM, there she was! After talking to the police and exchanging pertinent information, I proceeded home with the wind knocked out of my sails, not to mention that I threw out my back and barely slept that night.

My encouraging husband, although still in great pain and discomfort from his fall, was determined to make the flight to sunny Florida to join my relatives for the Thanksgiving holidays. 15416112_10211984949486915_1434960611_n

Southwest Airlines treated us like royalty. They were very accommodating and provided the necessary assistance for the entire trip. Funny thing, though, was that one of the stewards for our flight out was running late. All passengers standing in line did not board the aircraft until he arrived. My husband and I had another plane to catch and worried we would miss that flight. Finally, in the distance, we noticed someone running toward us. It was none other than our tardy steward. Not long after he ran inside the plane, we began boarding. An attendant helped Mark get out of his wheelchair onto the plane and to our seats.

Once we landed in New Orleans, an airport assistant waited with my husband’s chariot at the doorway. He hurriedly wheeled him down the corridor with me in tow to our next flight. All passengers on that aircraft were already seated and ready for take-off. Two front-row seats were reserved just for us. Talk about feeling like instant celebrities!

We sat by Patricia, a missionary from Thailand. 348s Once we landed, it was she who became our guardian angel. While I retrieved our luggage, she stayed behind and waited patiently with Mark. When I returned, she volunteered to accompany me in fetching our rental car, even praying for a blessing over the remainder of our vacation. She walked with me back to where Mark was waiting, helped me load everything into the car, and politely waved goodbye to us. I truly felt she was an angel sent by God.

At last, in the wee hours of the morning, our tired and aching bodies arrived at the hotel room. It was good to finally sleep in.

After breakfast, we drove straight to my daddy’s house. 15424520_10211984949766922_105603279_n We were flooded with hugs, tears, and joy, and our bellies were full of my stepmother’s delicious Fricase de Pollo in no time. Due to all the medication my husband was on, he hadn’t had much of an appetite, but I was certain it would return with all the anticipated Puerto Rican cuisine.

15424494_10211984950326936_2039532884_n The next day after a warm breakfast, we drove into Ft. Lauderdale to visit Big Brother, his wife, and their three strapping sons. While the 15356116_10211984949966927_1995059090_n big boys played a game of chess, we gals went grocery shopping. When we returned, Mark was ready to call it a day. The pain from his ribs was causing him misery.

Thanksgiving Day: We never had a late Thanksgiving dinner before, but I guess when you have a lot of Puerto Ricans around to cook for, this is the norm. Soon we were surrounded by love and laughter and picture-taking. 15424682_10211984951606968_1021959210_n The anticipated meal did not disappoint. 15355900_10211984952206983_1020059264_n Although quite tasty, the star entree wasn’t the pavo but the pernil, the traditional Puerto Rican pork shoulder. Not to be outdone, there were a couple of large pans of my stepmother’s delicious arroz con gandules. This was a Thanksgiving feast at its best! I believe we ate until we couldn’t eat another bite; hardly any room for dessert.

15192643_10211865731106530_4141959989824498690_n

To be continued …

6 Comments

Filed under Florida, Vacation

Tagged as familia, Family, Florida, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, personal, Prayer, Puerto Rican pride, reunion, Southwest Airlines, thankfulness, Thanksgiving Day

Image

Mi Boricuan Familia

I just returned from an accelerating week’s vacation, which was also a surprise visit to my family in Florida. Other than planning everything with my younger brother, I didn’t want any beans spilled, so I gave no clues and left no hints. My ten-year-old grandson accompanied me; it was his first time on a plane. He was so excited that he never ran out of words the entire flight.

The trip and the family time together were awesome!

My first stop was at my older brother’s. The shock on his face and the familiar choice words that he uttered upon seeing me were priceless. His entire household welcomed me warmly. My three tall nephews are strapping young lads. We all talked at once and managed to hear every word. Soon, my sister-in-law and I enjoyed some overdue and much-needed girl talk alone (after kicking out all the boys).

Then we drove to my dad’s home, where I was greeted with more hugs, tears, and kisses. (Click on the link to a video and listen to my daddy’s exclamation phrases over and over: “¡Ay, mi madre!” as well as “¡Ay, Dios mio!”)

Before too long, savory food wafted from the kitchen, calling my name. I couldn’t wait to sample my stepmother’s Puerto Rican cuisine. She did not disappoint and prepared a delicioso feast of pollo frito (fried chicken), plátanos fritos (fried plantains), and arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas).

Mmm hmm, good! ¡Que rico la comida!

My sister later drove into town (also surprising our daddy – yes, it’s in our blood) and soon we were catching up with the latest news over family, food, and fashion. I got to exchange stories with her fine son, amazed by his sharp wit, then observed him and my grandson enjoying one another’s company with the latest video game. Finally, Daddy announced it was time to play dominoes, beating everyone in the game just as I had always remembered.

In the days that followed, we shopped, ate to our heart’s content, spent the day at the beach and the pool, and shared pictures on Facebook (a vast difference from having to pull out dusty album books like the old days). Lastly, we enjoyed taking Daddy to Mai Kai Polynesian Dinner and Show.

I wanted — and needed — to be present to help celebrate my daddy’s 80th birthday that Sunday, and I was grateful to be able to escape my hectic schedule to attend the grand event. If not, I would have been filled with regrets. Now I have wonderful additional memories to hold onto for a lifetime.

With every visit, conversation, and reminiscing, we simply picked up where we left off so long ago. It felt good to be “home” again and reunite with my boricuan familia.

And now you know where I have been this past week.