The Paradox of our times

Every September 11th I can't help to remember how times have changed. I wish I could say that things are changing for the better in this wicked world but that is not the case. And the world will get even worse. A high school kid wrote this poem.

The Paradox of our times
Is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers
Wider freeways but narrower viewpoints
We spend more, but we have less
We have bigger houses, but smaller families
More conveniences, but less time
We have more agrees, but less sense.
More knowledge, but less judgment
More experts,  but more problems
More medicines, but less wellness
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values
We talk too much, love too seldom, an hate too often
We have learn how to make a living, but not a life.
We have added years to life, but not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back
but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We have conquered outer space, but not inner peace.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted our soul.
We've split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We've higher income, but lower morals
We've become long on quantity but short on quality
These are the times of tall me, and short character;
Steep profits, and shallow relationships.
These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare,
More leisure, but less fun, more kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are the days of two incomes, but more divorces;
Of fancier houses, but broken homes.
It is a time when there is much in the show window, and nothing in the stockroom.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you,
And a time when you can choose,
Either to make a difference...or just hit, delete.

I hope I don't contribute to the things described in the poem but that somehow I will find a way to make a difference.

Con amor,

Vero

a month old miracle

This picture was taken on March 17th 2010 (St. Patrick's day) exactly one month after Cristi gave birth to Nixon. The doctor were worried that the baby was not growing. He has now gain 2 lbs. and is a happy healthy baby. He has a Flores mouth and a Henriquez double chin. When I held this baby I could only think of when I also held Cristi for the first time. It is one of the most tender feelings a mother and now grandmother could ever know.

A New Life

It has been almost a year since I posted here and it's not because nothing of importance had happened, on the contrary, so much has happened that it will take days to catch up.

for example: One year ago, I was in El Salvador for the presidential elections. I voted and did my part but the candidate I voted lost the election and for the first time in El Salvador's history the FMLN became the party in charge.

That same month in march of last year I went for the first time to Japan with the Reid School. Single, divorced, and feeling somewhat down, unloved, and almost worthless. The trip was meant to cheer me up but it made me feel even worse, when I saw all those normal couples and their families, except that I at least have my wonderful daughters.

Good news! Today, my oldest daughter, Cristi, just gave birth to a son. they named him, Nixon Bradley Dame. He was born early and had to endure so much. He is so adorable! He is so precious. He is the newest life in our family and what gives me so much hope and faith.

A Letter to my friends

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, February 12 2010

Dear friends with whom I have had the honor to know over the years:

As you may or may not already know, I moved to the Dominican Republic in January with my daughter Mandy and my husband Daniel who received the assignment as the Director of Temporal Affairs in the Caribbean area for the LDS church.

The Earthquake in Haiti happened on my husband's very first day on the job, exactly one month ago. So we have been asked, what can one do? And the best answer is to give to the humanitarian groups helping in Haiti especially the religious group you may be affiliated. 

I know how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates in a dignified, orderly and caring manner.  I also want to point out that every dollar donated to the LDS Humanitarian center is set apart entirely to provide the aid to the people who needs it the most and it is not associated with any administrative cost. 

For those who have sent your donations, I do want to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity. You have no idea how much you have blessed so many lives.

Take for example a girl by the name of Honchyse. She is a member of the 2^ndward in Port au Prince. Her mother had taken her and her siblings to the chapel for shelter to stay the night. Her mother decided to return to their home which had been damaged in the quake to pick up some needed items but when she got there, she was attacked by a man with a knife who stabbed her to death. 

Honchyse' father had long ago left her mother and the three children and now those children are orphans. Honchyse is the oldest daughter. She had obtained an LDS Perpetual Education Fund student loan and was in her third year of studies in a school that has now been destroyed. She will not be able to obtain her certificate and will likely be responsible for providing for her younger siblings. This is one case in thousands of cases but I felt that it is important to know of at least one who is receiving from your kindness.

From the beautiful Dominican Republic that I could only describe as paradise, I think of you often and hope all is well with you. I want you to know that now you have a home here too. Thank you for your friendship, your love and your support and for the wonderful memories.

My new (Vonage) phone is (801) 294 2752 this is the same telephone number we had in Bountiful and it works as if you were calling me there. My new email address is veritoalmeida@gmail.com

HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY!

Veronica Flores de Almeida