Count down to Father's Day

Father’s Day is next Sunday 

7 Things amazing dads do

The lasting effects of a great father cannot be underestimated. I should know, because my dad is amazing. I say this neither to boast nor to gush, but rather because, in both my personal and professional opinion, he's got this dad thing pretty much figured out. Allow me to share seven fatherhood lessons that I learned from him (along with a few of my own thoughts).

7 Things Amazing Dads Do

1. Be a good man.

Recognize the importance of your example. Your kids will do what you do, not what you say. If you want honest kids, be honest. If you want polite, gracious, patient, and forgiving kids, be polite, gracious, patient, and forgiving. Model the virtues that you want to see in them.

2. Love and/or respect their mother.

This could be a whole post in and of itself, but to be brief: if you're still with the mother of your children, don't be ashamed to love her the most and put her first. If you have a daughter, ask yourself how you'd want her husband to treat her one day; that's how you should treat your wife. It'll benefit your own marriage and help your sons and daughters to know how to be and what to look for. I know for a fact that my siblings and I all strive to emulate the marriage of my parents. If, on the other hand, you're divorced or separated from the mother of your children, let whatever issues you have between you stay there. Don't badmouth your children's mother in front of them. Your kids are not the persons you should be processing with and venting to.

3. Work hard, but make regular time for your children.

My dad was a busy man (something I can relate to these days), but no matter how tired he was, he always made a little time for each of us. It was more about quality than quantity, and it made a difference. Because my dad regularly connected with me about my life, I felt comfortable approaching him with my questions about love, money, faith, sex, and anything else.

4. Share your interests, but encourage your kids in theirs.

My father is an attorney. My brother is an attorney. My uncle is an attorney. I have cousins who are attorneys. It seems to be what Decker men do. Though dad suggested I look into the profession, he never pushed. He was supportive when I chose a different path. Although Dad was a distance runner, he was thrilled when my brother chose to play basketball. We've always felt free and encouraged to find ourselves, and that's largely because my parents understood this simple principle: Live for your kids, not throughthem.

If you were the star quarterback but your son wants to do theatre, be proud of him for exploring his interests. That's not to say you shouldn't introduce him to the pigskin to see how he likes it. I love running, nature, certain music, and classic Westerns largely because of my dad's influence, but those things were not forced upon me, and he supported me in my own interests. For example, he was never a filmmaker, but when I showed passion for it, he helped me to scout locations for my projects.

5. Focus on influence instead of control.

Far too many parents think their job is to get their children to behave a certain way or make certain decisions. The fact is, children are a stewardship to watch over, guide, and influence, not a property to control. Of course, teach them right from wrong, but allow them to make their own choices, even if you disagree with them. When they're children, that means establishing and communicating consequences (good and bad) for actions, then letting your kids choose while you firmly follow through with the consequences. When they're adults, they may make choices you disagree with. Let them know if you must, but make it clear that you respect their right to make their own decisions and that they will be loved no matter what.

6. Openly express affection.

Dads, I know sometimes we're socialized to be rough and gruff, but seriously: don't assume that your kids know you love them. Explicitly let them know. You needn't say or do anything that makes anyone overly uncomfortable, but it should be clear and unmistakable.

7. Don't lose your playful side.

You may think being stern is a dad's job, and certainly, you must be firm at times, but many kids connect with the father who takes the time to have fun with them. You're busy. You're stressed. You've got a lot weighing down on you. You may think you don't have time for play. Trust me, you do have the time. What's more, it's as good for you as it is your kids.

Con amor,

Vero

A change of Heart

For our Relief Society discussion today, we went over the talk given by Eduardo Gavarret on having a change of heart. 

 

Introduction

On Friday, October 28, 1588, having lost its rudder to being governed solely by oar, the ship La Girona, belonging to the great Spanish Armada, collided with the rocks of Lacada Point in Northern Ireland.¹  Go

The ship capsized. One of the castaways struggling to survive wore a gold ring given to him a few months earlier by his wife with the inscription, “I have nothing more to give you.”²

“I have nothing more to give you”—a phrase and a ring with the design of a hand holding a heart, an expression of love from a wife to her husband.

Scripture Connection

When I read this story, it made a deep impression on me, and I thought of the request made by the Savior: “And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.”³

I also thought of the people’s reaction to King Benjamin’s words: “Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us … , which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.”⁴

Personal Connection

Let me share with you an experience I had when I was 12 years old, the effect of which lasts to this day.

My mother said, “Eduardo, hurry up. We are late for the Church meetings.”

“Mom, I’m going to stay with Dad today,” I replied.

“Are you sure? You have to attend your priesthood quorum meeting,” she said.

I replied, “Poor Dad! He is going to be left alone. I’m going to stay with him today.”

Dad was not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

My mother and sisters went to Sunday meetings. So I went to meet Dad in his workshop, where he liked to be on Sundays, and as I had told my mother, I spent a while, that is, a few minutes with him, and then I asked, “Dad, is everything all right?”

He kept up his hobby of repairing radios and clocks, and he just smiled at me.

Then I told him, “I’m going to go play with my friends.”

Dad, without looking up, said to me, “Today is Sunday. Aren’t you supposed to go to church?”

“Yes, but today I told Mom I wouldn’t go,” I replied. Dad went on about his business, and for me, that was permission to leave.

That morning there was an important soccer game, and my friends had told me that I couldn’t miss it because we had to win that game.

My challenge was that I had to pass in front of the chapel to get to the soccer field.

Determined, I dashed towards the soccer field and stopped before the great stumbling block, the chapel. I ran to the opposite sidewalk, where there were some big trees, and I decided to run between them so that no one would see me since it was the time the members were arriving at the meetings.

I arrived just in time for the start of the game. I was able to play and go home before my mother got home.

Everything had gone well; our team had won, and I was thrilled. But that well-executed run onto the field did not go unnoticed by the deacons quorum adviser.

Brother Félix Espinoza had seen me running quickly from tree to tree, trying not to be discovered.

At the beginning of the week, Brother Espinoza came to my house and asked to speak with me. He didn’t say anything about what he had seen on Sunday, nor did he ask me why I had missed my meeting. 

He just handed me a manual and said, “I would like you to teach the priesthood class on Sunday. I have marked the lesson for you. It is not so difficult. I want you to read it, and I will come by in two days to help you with the preparation for the lesson.” Having said this, he handed me the manual and left.

I didn’t want to teach the class, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell him no. I had planned that Sunday to stay with my father again—meaning, there was another important soccer game.

Brother Espinoza was a person whom young people admired.⁵ He had found the restored gospel and changed his life or, in other words, his heart.

When Saturday afternoon arrived, I thought, “Well, maybe tomorrow I’ll wake up sick, and I won’t have to go to church.” It wasn’t the soccer game that worried me anymore; it was the class I had to teach, especially a lesson about the Sabbath day.

Sunday came, and I woke up healthier than ever. I had no excuse—no escape.

It was the first time I would teach a lesson, but Brother Espinoza was there by my side, and that was the day of a mighty change of heart for me.

From that moment on, I began to keep the Sabbath day holy, and over time, in the words of President Russell M. Nelson, the Sabbath day has become a delight.⁶

“Lord, I give You everything; I have nothing more to give You.”

Obtaining

How do we obtain that mighty change of heart? It is initiated and eventually occurs

1.     when we study the scriptures to obtain the knowledge that will strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ, which will create a desire to change;⁷

2.     when we cultivate that desire through prayer and fasting;⁸

3.     when we act, according to the word studied or received, and we make a covenant to surrender our hearts to Him, just as with King Benjamin’s people.⁹

Recognition and Covenant

How do we know that our heart is changing?¹⁰

1.     When we want to please God in all things.¹¹

2.     When we treat others with love, respect, and consideration.¹²

3.     When we see that the attributes of Christ are becoming part of our character.¹³

4.     When we feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit more constantly.¹⁴

5.     When we keep a commandment that has been difficult for us to obey and then continue to live it.¹⁵

When we listen carefully to our leaders’ advice and cheerfully decide to follow it, have we not experienced a mighty change of heart?

“Lord, I give You everything; I have nothing more to give You.”

Maintenance and Benefits

How do we maintain the mighty change?

1.     When we partake of the sacrament weekly and renew the covenant to take upon us the name of Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments.¹⁶

2.     When we turn our lives toward the temple.¹⁷ Regular temple attendance will help us maintain a new and renewed heart as we participate in the ordinances.

3.     When we love and serve our neighbors by ministering activities and missionary work.¹⁸

Then for our great joy, that inner change is strengthened and spreads until it abounds in good works.¹⁹

This mighty change of heart brings us a feeling of freedom, trust, and peace.²⁰

This change of heart is not an event; it takes faith, repentance, and constant spiritual work to happen. It begins when we desire to submit our will to the Lord, and it materializes when we enter into and keep covenants with Him.

That individual action has a positive effect both on us and on the people around us.

In the words of President Russell M. Nelson, “Imagine how quickly the devastating conflicts throughout the world—and those in our individual lives—would be resolved if we all chose to follow Jesus Christ and heed His teachings.”²¹ This action of following the Savior’s teachings leads to a mighty change of heart.

Dear brothers and sisters, young people, and children, as we participate in the conference this weekend, let the words of our prophets, which will come from the Lord, enter our hearts to experience a mighty change.

For those who have not yet joined the Lord’s restored Church, I invite you to listen to the missionaries with a sincere desire to know what God expects of you and experience that inner transformation.²²

Today is the day to decide to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. “Lord, I give You my heart; I have nothing more to give You.”

Just as the ring was recovered from that shipwreck, when we give our hearts to God, we are rescued from the raging seas of this life, and in the process we are refined and purified through the Atonement of Christ and become “children of Christ,” being spiritually “born of Him.”²³ Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

Getting Old

I saw a photo on Facebook of someone I knew very well for twenty-five years until he started cheating. It’s weird to think how old he looks now and I wonder, do I look that old too? I hope not! 

Here is an article on the issue of getting old. “Aging is a complicated experience. When we’re young, we’re told constantly to wait until we’re older, respect our elders, and stop snacking before dinner. As we grow up, aging becomes exciting, a ticket to all sorts of freedoms like driving, staying up late and getting a job, our own place and tying the knot with the one we love.  (pretty freeing, when you think about it). 

Then, slowly, aging starts to take on a more sinister aura. We’re told that we should wear sunscreen all the time when we’re outside to avoid getting wrinkles. We listen as actors and models share their “tips” for disguising the passage of time, and compare ourselves to our friends to ensure we’re hitting the correct landmarks — from getting promoted, to buying property, to having kids. 

Upon reaching middle age, women, in particular, feel more confident but also report feeling like they’re becoming invisible — with women often noting that they’ve dropped out of sight of the “male gaze” just as they’re feeling their sexiest. Meanwhile, in a sharp contradiction to the social stigma that comes with aging, most people report feeling their happiest in their late 60s and older. 

It’s funny that the aging process should be so fraught. As corny as it sounds, time is a gift. It’s as though everyone wants to stay alive, but no one wants to look like they’ve lived.  

Given its inevitability, it’s probably time we all got on board with aging — and perhaps even started to celebrate the privileges and insight that come with it. We’ve gathered some uplifting and honest reflections, both serious and silly, from well-known people — including one very familiar face! We hope they’ll help you to feel more positive, and dare we say, excited, about growing older.

Katie Couric

“A friend of mine recently turned 69 and when I called her to wish her a happy birthday, I began to moan about our respective ages with my familiar refrain of ‘How did this happen?’ and ‘Can you believe it?’ She stopped me and said, “I have a whole different attitude now.” She told me: “Aging is a privilege.” That’s now become my mantra.” 

Jane Fonda 

“I’m super-conscious that I’m closer to death. And it doesn’t really bother me that much, what bothers me is that my body is basically not mine! My knees are not mine, hips are not mine, my shoulder’s not mine. You’re looking at somebody who’s only me from here up…The fact that I’m still alive and working, wow! Who cares if I still don’t have my old joints and can’t ski or bike or run anymore. You know you can be really old at 60, and really young at 85.”

 

Oprah Winfrey

“The way I see it, every year can be a brand new journey. Think about it: You get one chance to be 25, 38, 44, 61, and every age before and between. Why wouldn’t you want to experience all the wonder in each step on your path?” 

“People who lie about their age are denying the truth and contributing to a sickness pervading our society—the sickness of wanting to be what you’re not…I know for sure that only by owning who and what you are can you step into the fullness of life.” 

Cameron Diaz

“It’s almost as if we have failed if we don’t remain 25 for the rest of our lives. Like we are failures. It is a personal failure. Like, our fault that at 40 years old that I don’t still look like I’m 25. ‘Oh, I’m sorry. I apologize I wasn’t able to defy nature.’…I feel that aging is a privilege. I think that it’s something that I feel very honored that I get to do.”

Cher

“I do think that when it comes to aging, we’re held to a different standard than men. Some guy said to me: ‘Don’t you think you’re too old to sing rock ’n’ roll?’ I said: ‘You’d better check with Mick Jagger.’” 

Betty White 

“Best thing about being in your 90s is you’re spoiled rotten. Everybody spoils you like mad and they treat you with such respect because you’re old. Little do they know, you haven’t changed. You haven’t changed in [the brain]. You’re just 90 every place else.”

“Accentuate the positive, not the negative. It sounds so trite, but a lot of people will pick out something to complain about, rather than say: ‘Hey, that was great!’ It’s not hard to find great stuff if you look.”

Maya Angelou

“I can’t remember ever being anxious about [aging]. Every age, I’ve been grateful.”

Dr. Angelou always took care to practice gratitude every morning, telling God: “Thank you for this day. Thank you for the light coming through that window. Thank you. Thank you that I’m breathing. Thank you. Thank you for everything. Thank you for the phone call that told me that I have the job. Thank you even for the phone call that told me I’m not wanted anymore. Thank you because I know you have something better for me lined up.”

Con amor,

Vero

 

The knock on the door

This story reminded me of a time that we often heard a knock on our door from a special needs neighbor who was an angel. He would bring beautiful messages of encouragement and love. 

 

The little boy put on his clothes for the cold and then told his father:

"Ok dad I'm ready"

His Dad, the pastor, said: "Ready for what?"

"Dad, it's time to go outside and distribute our flyers."

Dad replied: "Son, it's very cold outside and it's drizzling."

The child looked surprised at his father and said: "But dad, people need to know about God even on rainy days."

Dad replied, "Son, I'm not going outside in this weather."

With despair, the child said: "Dad, can I go alone? Please!"

His father waited for a moment and then said: "Son, you can go. Here's the flyers, be careful."

"Thank you dad!"

 

And with this, the son went out into the rain. The 11-Year-old walked all the streets of the village, handing out the flyers to the people he saw.

After 2 hours walking in the rain and cold and with his last flyer in his hand, he stopped at a corner to see if he saw someone to give the flyer to, but the streets were totally deserted. Then he turned to the first house he saw, walked to the front door, rang the bell several times and waited, but no one came out. Finally the boy turned to leave... but something stopped him. The child turned back to the door and began to ring the bell and pound the door strongly with his knuckles. He kept waiting. Finally the door was opened gently. A lady came out with a very sad look and gently asked:

"What can I do for you, son? With radiant eyes and a bright smile the child said: Lady, I'm sorry if I upset you, but I just want to tell you that God really loves you and that I came to give you my last flyer, which talks about God and His great love. The boy then gave her the flyer.

She just said, "Thank you, son, God bless you!"

 

Well, next Sunday morning, the pastor was in the pulpit and when the service began he asked:

"Does someone have a testimony or something they want to share?"

Gently, in the back row of the church, an older lady stood up. When she started talking, a radiant and glorious look sprouted from her eyes:

"Nobody in this church knows me. I have never been here, even last Sunday I was not Christian.

 

My husband died a while ago leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday was a particularly cold and rainy day, and it was also in my heart; that on that day I came to the end of the road, since I had no hope and didn't want to live anymore. Then I took a chair and a rope and went up to the attic of my house. I tied a noose and the other end of the rope to the rafters of the roof; then I climbed onto the chair and put the rope around my neck. I then stood on the chair, so alone and heartbroken, I was about to throw myself off the chair, when suddenly I heard the loud sound of the door being knocked. So I thought: "I'll wait for a minute and whoever it is will go" I waited and waited, but the door knocking was getting louder and louder every time. It got so loud that I couldn't ignore it anymore.

So I wondered, who could it be? No one ever comes close to my door or comes to visit me!

 

I released the rope from my neck and went to the door, while the bell was still ringing and the door was still being knocked on.

When I opened the door, I couldn't believe what my eyes saw, in front of my door was the most radiant and angelic child I've ever seen.

His smile, ohhh, I can never describe it! The words that came out of his mouth made my heart, dead so long ago, come back to life, when he said with the VOICE OF CHERUB: "Lady, I just want to tell you that God really loves you" "When the little angel disappeared between the cold and the rain, I closed my door and read every word of the flyer.

Then I went to the attic to remove the chair and rope.

I didn't need them anymore. As you see. Now I am a happy daughter of the King.

 

Since the direction of the boy, when he left, was to this church, I came personally say thank you to that little angel of God who came just in time and, in fact, to rescue my life from an eternity in hell. And replaced it with an eternity in God's presence. "

Everyone cried in the church. The Pastor came down from the pulpit to the first bench of the front, where the little angel was sitting; he took his son in his arms and cried tears of joy! 

 

Con amor,

Vero 

It's a girl!

I was only 22 when I became a mom for the first time. I gave birth to a beautiful 5.5 Lbs. tiny baby with a lot of hair. The nurses at the LDS hospital would always comment, “look at all that hair” I was so tired that day. I had been in labor for 15 hours and felt every pain. No epidural for me. That was my choice. Silly me! 

 

In those days, no one knew the sex of the baby. It was always a 50/50 chance to have either a boy or a girl so all the things I bought were any color except for pink or blue. I think most things we had were yellow. We were starving students who lived in an old home that was divided into three apartments. It was not the nicest part of town either but when your income is below minimum wage, what choice is there? 

 

When I think of those days, I can still picture the smell of the baby lotion I rubbed into her skin after Cristi had a bath and how she loved baths. She also love being held. Cristi loved the comfort of her mother’s arms and I was totally in heaven. I loved placing her chest against mine. How I miss those days. 

 

All too soon she was out of her crib and walking to my room and into my bed. It was nice to snuggle together. I did not mind it at all. I even asked my pediatrician, is that normal. He said sure, enjoy it while it lasts. One day she will be asking you to stay away from her room and would not want to be caught dead sleeping in your bed, but I am happy to report that Cristi was never too cool to spend time with me.

 

Forty years later, my baby is still as beautiful as ever and I can honestly say, Cristi is the best mommy to her children and I love her for that! I can’t express how I feel knowing that we are an eternal family and that we can be together forever.

 

Con amor,

Mom

Brandon Flowers

I appreciate testimonies of people I admire,  here is one from Brandon Flowers  who is a name people recognize all over the world. As lead singer of the popular band The Killers, his songs have reached millions. He is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I asked him why he believes, and this is what he told me:

 

“I choose to believe because I have felt the Holy Ghost more times than I can remember, certainly more times than I deserve. I believe not because l’ve seen pillars of fire or pillars of light but because my bosom has burned as if by fire, and my path has been illuminated as if by light. I believe because every commandment I keep improves my life. And I believe because I remember.”

For those who might be struggling, remember to look for God’s hand in your life. Remember the Spirit you have felt. Remember the angels that walk among us.

 

Brandon went on to say:

“One of my favorite things about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is its open invitation for all to come and gain a testimony for yourself. You don’t have to believe just because your parents did. There is confidence enough in the gospel to encourage anyone and everyone to put it to the test. That’s what I did, and that’s why I choose to believe.”  And I second every word he said! 

Con amor,

Vero

 

I am back!

Yes, I am back from my trip to Utah, Idaho back to Utah and Connecticut and so much happened. Somethings were great wonderful miracles and some others were pure misfortunes but nothing that couldn’t be resolved!

 

Let’s start on Tuesday May 2^nd, I found out at the airport that I had COVID and didn’t even know it. Called the airline, paid over $1,000 dollars to change the flight to Thursday May 4^th hoping to be negative by then, and I was. Flew to Miami, Dallas and finally arrive in Salt Lake on May 5^th. Mandy came to pick me up and from the airport she took me to take another test to make sure I was negative. They drew a nose sample and blood too. The results read:   Non- reactive for COVID and Reactive to antibodies which indicated that I did not have COVID and because I carried antibodies and would be unlikely that I would get sick again which turned out to be a tender mercy. 

 

Mother’s Day May 8^th went to church with Mandy, Vale took us to her ward. Later in the afternoon, Mandy, Spencer and baby Maya go to visit their mom for Mother’s Day. The next morning on May 9^th, Dian took me to the airport so I could fly to Boise. When I arrived in Boise I learned that Dian had been exposed to a grandchild that tested positive for COVID and got it and so did Mandy, Spencer and even our 2- week old Maya. I was in Idaho during the first week of the illness which was hard. I spent May 9^th to May 14^th in Eagle taking care of the grandkids while Cristi and Brooks attended a Seminar and worried for those who got ill in Utah. Deep in my heart, I know I didn’t give them all the illness because I never saw Dian until Monday and Vale would have gotten it too and didn’t.  

 

When I arrived on Saturday May 14^th I had not seen two people so sick in my life! Those two were coughing and miserable! Maya had a fever and that was concerning. What a worst time to get COVID and I guess there is never an opportune time but having a newborn makes it incredibly hard. For the next ten days, I helped Mandy and Spencer all I could to ease their pain. They were both very sick and had not slept for three weeks when I arrived so those ten days was mostly to give them a break during the early hours of the morning. I would take over around 4:00 a.m. Maya’s fever continued past ten days so they took her to see a doctor 

 

While I was there, I got to run a few errands. I picked up the packaged from headquarters that Suzanne Mote sent Mandy, went to get my mail from our tenant who is renting 1309. He seems to be a very nice fellow. I also delivered the chocolates I brought Elder Wickman, and Kimberly and sent another box of chocolates to Chris Corroon on the mail. He thanked me so I know he got them. Did a few errands for Mandy too, got her car washed picked up a few things at the store, cooked dinners and helped her writing thank you notes and got the yard looking good. 

 

On May 21^st, I visited Hernan and Rachael for a few minutes outside their home while delivering their gifts and went to Chachis for a visit. I went to see the home in Bountiful and saw the Marcheschis finally staring their new home but it will be another year till is finished. I couldn’t stop at Jami’s because they asked me not to come because I had been in close contact to Mandy and Spencer and that is understandable but for some odd reason it made me cry, I didn’t have COVID and couldn’t possible give it to anyone if I didn’t carry it.  I felt like an outcast! 

 

On Sunday May 22^nd Cristi gave the most amazing talk and got it recorded in case someone in the family wanted to listen to it. I felt like the proudest mom! It was another Sunday at home caring for Mandy and Spencer. 

 

On May 24^th, I got a chance to see my doctor and it turns out that I am doing better than I anticipated. He said that because I had just had COVID that I should wait six months to get my 4^thbooster. All is well with me. My pressure is good. No sugar in my blood and my thyroid medication is doing the trick. The only concern is my cholesterol but not extreme. No medication needed for that! 

 

On May 25^th, I flew to New York. Joseph came to pick me up. They were dealing with a home that didn’t appraised for what they were going to pay and had to back out from the deal. I helped with tending the kids. I never felt busier in my whole life. Those two littles are a hand full. Isaac is jealous of Lyric and Lyric likes to tease him which is not a good combination. They are contently crying or screaming and I don’t know how Bianca does it. The girls are still only six and they got their issues too. I was there for a whole week. While I was in New York, I found out that Daniel is ending his assignment in Buenos Aires and that we are going to live in Salt Lake once again. And now we are getting ready for another adventure since all our homes are being rented. We have given our renters 60 days to leave our home and they are in shock because they envision being there until their home got finished. We are all trying to figure out what to do. They want us to move to an apartment in Salt Lake so they don’t have to move twice. 

 

On June 2^nd, I left to go back to Argentina. As Joseph open the door at the airport he hit another car coming.  The door got damaged and the other car was a nice new Lincoln. That broke my heart. I went out after I checked in and they were still waiting for the police to make a report. The fellow of the other car was not too upset which was a good thing. I spoke with him and he seemed like a nice guy. I went back to use the Admiral only to discover that the flight got delayed leaving the next morning. I called Daniel to cancel our flights to Montevideo. We were supposed to fly to see Daniel’s mom. She is turning 92. The airline did give me a hotel and transportation and 10,000 miles. It was an issue with their crew. The bus shuttle took two hours to leave the airport because of issues with the people on board who did not have vouchers and refuse to get out of the bus to get them. Finally, I arrived only for a guy to tell me that I could not bring almonds but that was the least of my worries. 

 

June 3^rd, I felt once again at peace when I saw Daniel’s face. It feels good to be home, because home is always where Daniel is. Tomorrow we are headed to Uruguay to spend time with the family. 

Con amor,

Vero