Tag Archives: memoir

July 26, 2026 · 8:00 AM

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Grandma

Today I celebrate the life of a woman whose love, faith, and quiet strength left a lasting imprint on my heart.

On July 26, my grandma would have celebrated another birthday.

She was born in 1898 and passed away in 1986, but not a year goes by that I don’t think of her.

Both of my grandparents lived through so much: two World Wars, the Great Depression, the 1918 influenza pandemic, and the hardships of tuberculosis. They saw the world change in ways most of us can hardly imagine, yet Grandma never lost her gentle spirit.

Whenever I look at her picture, I smile. I can almost see her waving hello, with the same warm smile that made everyone around her feel welcome.

As a little girl, I never thought much about everything she had lived through. I simply knew her as Grandma with her unmistakable thick Spanish accent, gentle voice, and warm hugs. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I began to understand the strength it must have taken to raise a family through some of history’s hardest years.

I wish I had asked her more questions. I wish I had listened a little longer.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Dear Grandma!

Thank you for your love, your example, and the quiet moments you shaped our family. Your life still matters because your love still lives in us.

I miss you every day.

With all my love,

Your granddaughter, Mary.

Dear Reader: If you would like to meet more of the remarkable woman who shaped my life, I share more of her story in the chapter “To Abuela’s House We Go” from my book Running In Heels. Here is a short excerpt from that chapter. You’ll meet the woman who quietly taught me faith, hard work, kindness, and the importance of serving others, lessons that continue to shape my life today:

👉 Grandma’s Chapter

Her hands may no longer hold mine, but the love, faith, and wisdom she passed down remain a part of me forever.

Feliz Cumpleaños Celestial, Abuela

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July 10, 2026 · 8:00 AM

The Quiet In-Between

There is a version of my life I don’t often put into words. It is not a dramatic struggle. It is something quieter than that, and harder to explain.

Not the one people can easily describe: roles, routines, responsibilities, all the visible things that make sense on the surface. But the version that lives underneath it all. The one that never really introduces itself but is always there.

It starts early, sometimes before the day has even fully begun. My mind is already moving through what needs to get done, what time I need to leave, what I might forget on the counter, what still isn’t finished from yesterday, and what’s waiting for me later in the day.

Some days it feels like I’m holding too many threads at once. Appointments, conversations I still need to respond to, things I promised I’d take care of—none of them fully set down long enough to rest.

And maybe you know that feeling too. When nothing is wrong exactly, but everything is already mentally “in motion” before you’ve even had a chance to settle into the day.

For a long time, I thought that meant something was wrong with me. That I should be able to quiet my mind more easily. That I should be able to hold life with more ease than this.

But I don’t see it that way anymore.

This is just how I move through the world.

And I’m learning not to fight it in the same way I used to. Instead, I’m learning to bring it to God exactly as it is. Not the organized version. Not the cleaned-up version. But the unfinished middle of it all.

The thoughts I haven’t sorted yet.

The questions I haven’t answered.

The things I can’t quite name yet, but still feel.

Sometimes I don’t even have the right words when I pray. It is not polished or structured. It is more like a quiet surrender in the middle of everything.

God, You see this even when I don’t fully understand it.

There’s a verse that keeps meeting me in that place:

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” — Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)

I used to think I had to understand everything before I brought it to God. As if clarity came first and surrender came after.

But I am learning it does not work that way.

Awareness is not the same as control.

And carrying things internally does not mean I was ever meant to carry them alone.

This quiet in-between space no one sees is real in the small pauses of everyday life, in moments when something simple reminds me how quickly my mind can outpace me. It is like standing in a room and not remembering why I walked in, because my mind has already moved somewhere else.

It is where I am still becoming. Where things are still forming. Where I am still being shaped in ways I do not always recognize in real time.

Quietly. Honestly. Not alone.

And maybe that is where I meet God most truthfully, not in what I can fully explain, but in what I am still learning to understand.

What we carry quietly has a way of shaping how we see everything else. So maybe tending to the inner life matters more than I once realized.

Not everything has to be resolved before I bring it to His hands.
Some things are meant to rest there while He unfolds them in His time.

El Silencio Intermedio

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April 14, 2026 · 4:09 AM

Reflections From My Heart

From my heart to yours:

For more than ten years, I’ve been pouring out pieces of my life right here. Some posts came from deep pain, others from quiet gratitude or hard-won lessons. To my humble surprise, a few of them have kept drawing readers year after year, long after I first hit “publish.”

These are the posts that have touched the most hearts over time. They talk about real struggles—loss, brokenness, family wounds, verbal abuse, and the battles we fight inside—but they also point to the hope and healing that only God’s grace can bring. Many of them echo the same journey I share in my memoir, Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace.

If you’re walking through a hard season and feeling unseen or hopeless, I pray one of these reflections meets you right where you are and reminds you that you are not alone.

Here are my Top 12 Most-Viewed Posts

  1. I’ll Never Forget 9/11: A personal reflection on that heartbreaking day and how it still echoes in our lives.
  2. About Me: My story, where I came from, the struggles I faced, and how God can transform despair into hope. This page alone has welcomed over 80 heartfelt comments from readers who shared their own journeys.
  3. The Battle Within: The struggle didn’t disappear, but through God’s grace, I learned I no longer have to fight it alone.
  4. Beauty For Ashes: An honest wrestling with the idea of beauty in the middle of real-life devastation.
  5. Verbal Abuse: I wrote this from a place I know all too well—the silent pain of feeling broken, invisible, and trapped. But it’s also a reminder that we are not meant to stay there.
  6. I Dreamed a Dream: I’ve walked through seasons where the dreams I once held began to fade, pushed aside by life, responsibilities, and discouraging words. But I’ve come to see that what feels like the end may not be the end at all… just the beginning of a new dream.
  7. This Thing Called Tears: Tears don’t only come in sorrow; they show up in joy, frustration, and even gratitude. In these everyday moments, I’m reminded that God meets us in every emotion, and every tear has a purpose.
  8. Damaged Goods: I once believed the lies that I was broken, unworthy, and beyond repair. But I’ve learned that we are not defined by what we’ve been through. God doesn’t see damaged goods… He sees something worth restoring.
  9. Stick-to-Itiveness: Persistence isn’t easy—but it’s powerful!
  10. Ode to a Mother’s Heart – Part II: A mother’s love & the unimaginable pain of losing a child. My heart grieves with those who carry this kind of sorrow, and I lift them up in prayer.
  11. The Shadow of My Baby Sister’s Death: Love, loss, longing… and the ache of what could have been.
  12. Shark Bait: This is my dear husband’s story, and a reminder of how faithful God is, even in the most unexpected moments.

Each story carries a piece of my heart. Some made me cry as I wrote them. Others reminded me of God’s faithfulness even when life felt unbearable. Readers have told me they saw parts of their own stories in these words, and that blesses me more than I can say. I’m continually humbled by how far these stories are traveling.

WordPress recently shared that this blog has now reached readers in 174 countries, the newest being Gabon. That’s something only God could do, and I don’t take a single reader for granted.

If these reflections speak to you, I believe you’ll find even deeper encouragement in the pages of Running in Heels. It’s the fuller story behind so many of these posts—the raw truth of growing up in pain, surviving abuse and abandonment, and learning to walk in grit and grace. The book is available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook. And I’m thrilled that a Spanish edition, Corriendo en Tacones, Memorias de valentía y gracia, is on the way for my Latino friends and family.

We’re prayerfully hoping to reach 500 honest reviews on Amazon so this message can reach more women who feel broken or stuck. If any of these posts (or the book) touches your heart, I would be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review.

Thank you for stopping by and for being part of this journey with me. Whether you’ve been reading for years or this is your first time here, my prayer is that I lift you up with love and faith.

From my heart to yours, Mary A. Pérez, Author of Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit & Grace, Houston, Texas 2026

Curved stone pathway through lush garden with sunrise in background
A colorful stepping stone path winds through a vibrant garden at sunrise.

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October 10, 2025 · 10:06 AM

Joyful Gathering at Bruno & George Winery

What a gorgeous, sunny day it was in Sour Lake Texas, a historic town in Hardin County, southwest of Beaumont! My recent book signing at Bruno & George Winery was a heartwarming success, filled with wonderment, meaningful conversations, and shared excitement. Stories were shared, books were sold, and my eldest daughter accompanied me showcasing her own talented artwork.

I wish to express my deepest thanks to everyone who came out. Special thanks to Shawn Bruno for hosting us so graciously.

If you haven’t yet read my memoir, it’s available through Amazon—a story of resilience, faith, and legacy. We’re presently working on a Spanish edition to honor my Puerto Rican heritage and reach even more hearts. You can support this journey through our GoFundMe Campaign.

Stay tuned for future book signings and events. And if you’d like to invite me to your book club or community gathering, I’d love to hear from you! Contact me

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September 25, 2025 · 6:26 AM

Join Me for Art, Wine, and Stories

I accepted the invitation! I am thrilled to be part of Bruno’s Winery’s Art & Wine Event. This great community outreach takes place at 400 Messina in Sour Lake, Texas. This event will occur on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10 AM to 3 PM. It will showcase vibrant creativity, stained glass, original artwork, custom jewelry, clothing, and more!

I’ll have copies of Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace available for signing. Come say hello! I’d love to chat about my journey. We can discuss everything from penning my memoir to its current translation into Spanish.

When: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 · 10 AM – 3 PM
Where: Bruno’s Winery
400 Messina, Sour Lake, TX 77659
Admission: Free to the public

Learn more about our host venue and their award-winning, dessert wines → [brunoandgeorge.com] You’ll enjoy fine wine in the lovely, quaint property hosted by the phenomenal owners, Shawn and Misha Bruno.

Bring friends, family, or just your curiosity. I can’t wait to meet you.

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August 2, 2025 · 5:42 PM

Translating Hope

Hola family, friends, and fellow bloggers! I wanted to share the latest news with you! I’ve been dedicating my time to translating my memoir into Spanish. It has been one of the most challenging and tedious tasks I’ve faced. I could not have done it without relying on the help of others, thus the slow process. Initially, I sought professional translators, but their prices were sky-high, far beyond my means. That was my reality check. I then turned to family and friends. Although they initially agreed to help, their busy schedules made it difficult to commit.

Then, unexpectedly, my son’s new girlfriend took an interest in my story and dove right into the translation. The tedious work began. However, after about a year, life took another turn — their relationship ended, and the translation remained unfinished.

Finally, knowing my story, a kindhearted translator from Puerto Rico reached out to me. We began working together and committed to finishing the task. A year and a half later, the translation was completed! Now, I’m in the final stage — professional proofreading.

Revisiting the sentences, paragraphs, chapters, and dialogue throughout the pages of my memoir, the written words became alive again. I found myself feeling and reliving almost every word. Tears rolled down my face. You see, it reminded me—I’ve survived so much! Indeed, God has been good to me, a constant steadfastness in my unstable life. He is the God of miracles.

“¡Contéstame!”  Me pegó con la parte de atrás de la mano. Vi las estrellas.

“Answer me!” He backhanded me. I saw stars.

The above quote is just a tiny glimpse of what once was. My wish now is to share my story with the Latino community. That others might learn hope and know about the God of second chances and new beginnings. If God can do it for me, He can certainly do it for anyone!

Yet, the journey isn’t over. Writing my memoir was only the first hurdle. Along came the translation into Spanish. Then came the editing and proofreading. Lastly, the final publishing will bring it to life in another language. But it all comes with many challenges. And funds. This is why my daughter is launching a GoFundMe campaign for this project. If you believe in the power of storytelling, resilience, and second chances, come join us in this final stage. This project is not just about printing pages. This is about bringing hope and reaching those who may feel hopeless and alone in their personal struggles.

With another birthday soon approaching, I invite you to walk alongside me. If you have read my memoir, and my story resonated with you, then you also believe in the God of impossible situations. Every bit of support brings me one step closer to achieving my goal—sharing this memoir with the Latino community. ¡Wepa!

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June 28, 2025 · 6:33 AM

How Misunderstanding Love Can Impact Relationships

Gary Chapman is a well-known author, counselor, and radio talk show host on human relationships. According to him, there are 5 Love Languages. Each love language describes how we receive love from others. They are:

Words of Affirmation – Saying supportive things to your partner

Acts of Service – Doing helpful things for your partner

Receiving Gifts – Giving your partner gifts that tell them you were thinking about them

Quality Time – Spending meaningful time with your partner

Physical Touch – Being close to and caressed by your partner

While reading “The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman, he explains how the concept of love can be very confusing. We love activities, objects, animals, nature, and people. We even fall in love with love. He points out that we use love to explain behavior. “‘I did it because I love her,’ says a man who is involved in an adulterous relationship. God calls it sin, but he calls it love. The wife of an alcoholic picks up the pieces after her husband’s latest episode. The psychologist calls it co-dependency, but she calls it love. The parent indulges all the child’s wishes. The family therapist calls it irresponsible parenthood, but the parent calls it love.”

Now I’m not by any means of the imagination, a psychologist, a professor, a clergywoman, or a counselor. I am just an ordinary woman. I’m a wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, grandma, aunt, friend, neighbor, coworker, and recently a great-grandma. But, like many, I think we often speak the wrong love language. I definitely have.

In my youth, I did some stupid things out of “love” for a guy. And because I loved him, I thought, surely he will come to my way of thinking. He would love me in return, enough to change his behavior and better himself. After all, hadn’t I bent over backward for him? Worshiped the ground he walked on? Become his doormat? In order to gain his undivided attention, I forgot who I was.

In my teens, I covered my former husband’s transgressions. I hid his secret, sin, and shame. My way of thinking was: This is why I exist, right? It’s my job, isn’t it? His wish was my command. Barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen – if only I knew how to cook then! My smile hid the pain in my heart, and makeup hid the bruises on my face. I hid the grocery money and emptied the liquor bottles, refilling half with water, hoping he’d never notice. I’d called his boss to say he was sick in bed after another blackout episode. I told myself: I protect my interests. I do it all in the name of “love.”

I was tired. Burned out. But because I loved my children, I eventually allowed them the freedom of choice. They started listening to the “hip” music their friends were listening to and watching certain types of movies. Oh, sure, I just knew they were old enough and wise enough not to repeat negative behaviors. And yes, I was inconsistent, worn-out, and haggard. I even practiced tough love. I attended church activities and adhered to rules and schedules. Then I lost the victory in my own personal life. I tossed responsibility to the wind. I got lazy. It became every person for himself. I started doing my own thing. I felt defeated. Cold-hearted. Bitter. I had lost the battle as a wife. For a moment, I forgot there was still a war to fight. That war was called MOTHERHOOD.

That was many moons ago. I have moved on—my children are adults, and I am in my second marriage, 31 years now. I continue to strive to communicate this language in a healthy manner. It is far from perfect, but I continue to improve. I aim for a method that allows me to love, if even from a distance, without being overly legalistic.

These are my rambling thoughts as I reflect on Gary Chapman’s perspective on the language of love.

What are your thoughts?

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January 15, 2025 · 7:42 AM

Announcing Our Holiday Giveaway Winner!

Exciting News! We Have a Winner!

I am thrilled to announce the winner of our holiday giveaway for “Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace.”

🏆 Congratulations to Andy Valadez! 🏆

Andy has read many wonderful books, and I’m honored that my memoir is part of his collection. Check out this fantastic picture of Andy with his stack of books, including “Running in Heels”!

A stack of books read by Andy Valadez, featuring 'Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace' by Mary Ann Perez.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated and showed their support. Your enthusiasm and love mean the world to me. For those who didn’t win this time, stay tuned—there will be more exciting opportunities and giveaways in the future.

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous New Year!

With gratitude, Mary A. Pérez

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December 8, 2024 · 8:49 PM

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

🎄✨ It’s That Time Again! ✨🎄

As we approach the holiday season, I want to share a meaningful gift idea. It is my memoir, Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace. This book continues to resonate with readers around the world with its powerful story of resilience, faith, and forgiveness.

📖 Perfect Gift for the Holiday Season

If you’re looking for a heartfelt gift this year, look no further. Running in Heels is a testament to the human spirit and the ability to overcome incredible odds. It’s a perfect choice for friends, family, or even yourself.

✨ Here’s what readers are saying:

“A moving and uplifting journey that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.” – K. Nelson

“Stunning! Riveting. Raw. The story will break open your heart with Mary’s vulnerability and strength.” – Boymama

“This book will make you grateful for the life you have as you walk through the pain and heartbreak that Mary went through. You will be moved.” – Howard Partridge

📚 Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1944952039/

🎁 Special Holiday Giveaway! 🎁

To spread even more holiday cheer, I’m hosting a giveaway! For every book purchased, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a digital download of my audiobook. Simply share this blog post, tag me on social media, and show proof of purchase. Winners will be announced on January 15, 2025.

Let’s inspire others with this incredible journey. Whether for yourself or as a gift to a loved one, this memoir brings hope and inspiration. Thank you all for your continued support! 💖✨

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September 23, 2024 · 11:56 AM

I Miss My Baby Sister

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