reflecting....

Hello Ani,

We are in the month of August and your birthday is just 2 weeks away from tomorrow. Wow my love! You are growing up to be such a fine young lady only a mother such as myself can only be proud. You should be proud of yourself, Anna.

The Summer Olympics this year is held in London, England. We are watching it while we exercise and I must say, it's pretty fun. hahaha... you prefer to watch all the gymnastics. Especially the U.S. girls team which they call the "Fab Five". Our country took gold in the womens team gymnastics. It was so awesome to watch as they blew away the Russians, Romania, China, and Japan. I think it was Japan. Maybe not. But I especially enjoyed watching you get all excited and doing cartwheels and hand stands. We watched the swimmers. Our favorite Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte swept the gold in the men's freestyle relay and 50m butterfly. I think you would make an excellent swimmer. You have the legs for sure. :) I love watching the women's beach volleyball. Misty May and Kerri Walsh are awesome veterans to the game. I think that's why I love them so much. They aren't the youngins yet they bring home the gold baby. I think it has a lot to do with the way they play as a team. They said in an interview that after the last summer olympics in China, they decided to take an indefinite break/retirement. They both game married to their loved ones. Kerri had 2 kids during that time. And then called up misty to ask if she was in. Misty said no. She was done. So Kerri signed up 4th side nicole and started working up to the olympics. Misty gave Kerri a call and said they had to talk. She told Kerri that she woke up in tears and asked who does that? She realized them that she wasn't done and had some unfinished business to tend to. So Kerri called up Nicole and said "I'm so sorry, I'm about to break your heart..." And the duo got back and is in the London Olympics going for the gold once again. Ani, age plays a big huge factor, however, it goes to show, it is not the MAIN factor in winning and breaking records/goals/dreams. These women are phenomenal! not to mention inspirational.

This past week, you had your swimming and karate. You and I exercised and played out back way into the nights. We talked about everything and anything. Your pet Sugar (shug) guinea pig...Anna, I don't know who loves whom more. You clean her pen all the time, and put her in the little tin pail you got for Easter. And she watches you as you clean her pen and the floor. And she doesn't run out, because you don't know this, but she's bigger then the darn pail you use. It cracks me up with laughter everytime I see her in there waiting for you to hold her and or set her back in her little cage. It's so cute, the two of you. I love when you 2 play the staring game. Last time you won. hahaha! you had to the see your excitement. "I won! Shug, I saw you blink! I beat you baby!" It was so cute because Shug will stare at you to no end! All I can think of is how she is an animal and you are well... human! ha! It's hillarious.

Well, last but not least. This picture of you and I was taken this year. I love it! i hope you do too. You are such a beautiful sight to adore. I love you to infiniti and beyond.

Love, Mama

Lessons Learned

Hello Beautiful,

Remember when you broke your toe and had to wear that shoe for 4 weeks? You wore it religiously! hahaha These pictures are from one of our summer late nights out in the back yard. I don't think I could tell you enough stories that night. You seem to love all the stories of when I was in my youth. And you ask me to tell you about Papa. And your great grandmother Anna Leota. That night was so much fun. I'm so glad I took these pictures of you.

Well, looks like you're going to have a birthday coming up next month. Holycow you'll be 9 years old. I look at you everyday and think to myself how life is absolutely wonderful. That you're growing into a beautiful young lady. How pleased I am with you.

Let me tell you what's going on in the world as of right now. Let's see. Mitt Romney is campaigning for the Republicans side. President Obama is our current U.S. President, a Democrat nonetheless. Looks like they're going neck to neck with their political slurs. Just the other day, I heard Grandma Pola making a comment on how she never thought she would feel so much animosity towards a Mormon politician. Let alone, feel so much opposition towards an elected official in government that also represents the church. Well, I just had to laugh. I thought with Grandma, the church came first, and then our leaders, muchless our country. I guess the wheels are turnin' my love. The heirarchy seems to go like this in this day and age: Country, God, Family.... and so and so forth. Wow. The good part about it is that those three tend to change on a daily basis. I was very surprised to hear that Grandma's loyalty lies with Hawaii. We are democrats true and true. I asked her who she was going to vote for come election time. Ani, my parents have always been very proud democrats ever since I could remember. As a child, we used to campaign for Mayor Frank Fasi. Those yellow shaka signs with Frank Fasi's face on it. Wow, those were the days. Parking out on Kamehameha Hwy early in the morning and hauling out the signs. As much as I didn't like it back then, you know, somehow, it's given me a sense of respect for my parents and their devotion to the democratic party. So back to me asking Grandma who she was going to vote for. Obama (our Democrat Pres.) or Mitt Romney (Republic, yet Mormon) Grandma looked at me with a dumbfounded look. I thought for a split second that perhaps she didn't hear me right. Her reply was a brief one. "Obama, Nancy. No one can fight for the poor like a democrat". I thought, how profound of my mother. Putting aside all our church beliefs, everything we grew up knowing. This was the first time I've ever heard a clear concise separation of church and state. And it came from none other, the woman I adore. Yet never did I ever think would say. My dear mother. I have added respect and adoration for her, Ani. There's a definite reason why we are to listen to our parents, Ani.

Love, Mama

CHARACTER

CHARACTER

Dictionary.com defines "character" as the moral or ethical quality; qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity. A reputation. The aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing.

In other words, or as I have always believed it to be, CHARACTER, is simply the way you are, or behave, or act, when no one else is around or looking at  you. This I know to be true and hold with such high esteem my love.

With this said, Anna, I want to tell you something I witnessed this week. Something so profound. Extremely extraordinary. And yet...so YOU.

Just the other day, I welcomed you to exercise along side of me. I was biking for an hour and as usual, I would jump on the tread afterwards and do an hour there. This time, I thought it would be good if we both exercised while watching a movie. (A big Miracle)So you put on your shoes and jumped on the tread next to me. We had 9 minutes left and you stopped the tread. I looked over to you and you said that you weren't done, that you were just going for a glass of water and would be right back to finish up. I didn't think much of it. Afterall, everyone gets thirsty right? I also prompted you to feed your guinea pig Shug. So that took some time out as well. So when you got back on the tread, I saw you turn on the phone to look at the timer, and started counting on your fingers. I was puzzled. I mean, what could you possibly be counting your fingers for? At that moment, my love.... it dawned on me. My timer went off and I quit my bike. However, you, my love, continued to tread for the minutes you lost while you got your water and fed Shug. 7 minutes more. Without complaint. Without ever asking to quit. Not even an inkling of doubt in your mind and soul. When I say to "finish what you start" you went above and beyond to know better that no matter if people are looking or not. You, yourself, is what matters, TO ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, BUT YOURSELF. Integrity. Courage. Honesty. Discipline. Trust. Character. How many people do you think have quality hearts such as yourself? A few my love. The number is miniscule, my love. That's what sets you apart from the world. That is a rare trait only a few possess. I see you my love. When you aren't aware of it, I see you. And let me tell you. I like what I see. Be happy my love. Remember.... LEMONADE! (wink! wink! a story shared by only you and I)

Now, aside from your character. Please allow me to delve even further on the topic at hand. Because it comes with great importance within me. 

Often times, if you would allow yourself to wonder. How do you suppose people are, or act, the way they do when they are alone. Do you suppose they are the same when they are amongst others? Chances are, I'm betting, most people aren't the same in privacy. People today, rely so much on what others think of themselves that they pretend to be something more or act a different way, or even manipulate others to believe or act in a way society deems necessary. Often times, I'm guessing when they look in the mirror, they aren't happy with themselves as when they are in the public eye. They can't stand to be alone in their own skin. And many times, they think of themselves, and end up hurting people in the process. A simple truth, word to the wise. Be true to yourself. Only then can you emulate the best in others. Only then will you be free and begin to live. My love, you are definitely on your way.

Summer 2012

Ani,

Hello my love! It's another hot summer! We have so much going on this summer. Just to recap, 4th of July was wonderful. We ended up going to Sugar House to watch the fireworks with Melinda and her family. You seemed to have so much fun walking around with the twins and coming back all soaked and wet from the water slide they had in the park. Then we laid down on the blanket and watched the fireworks. You said it was MAGICAL. Indeed it was. I'm glad for all the places we travel to and you make such an awesome traveling companian by the way.

You love your karate classes. What I want to know is how you can manage to look so darn good even when you're sweating?! You also have swimming lessons. I love that a lot because we get to ride our bikes to the pool and back. That's a lot of fun to ride bikes.

This weekend we went to Las Vegas, to attend our Aunty Moana's funeral. I thought it was so touching of you to cry towards the end. I asked why you were crying and you said "because I wanted to go to the cemetary to say goodbye to Aunty Moana and have a few words with her". Anna, I cannot tell you how special you are. You didn't know her and she met you only once when you were just a little baby. But for you to cry and say something like that is very heartfelt and makes me so proud to know how intuned you are with those that have gone on to the other side.

Your favorite color this year is Green and mine is the same as the last 2 years: Gold.

You're a straight A student.

Your favorite toy is your neon green monkey from the Hogle Zoo.

Proudest moment so far this week is when we were in Vegas. You always asked if you should be helping grandma get around. You always went back to get her. Without being told. Anna, my hat goes off to you. Thank you for being such a caring, loving daughter whose heart is pure. Thank you Ani.

You cried on the last day of school this year. You said your 3 BFF's were being broken down to 2 of you. One was going to move back to Laie. The other is moving to West Jordan. Looks like it's just you and Ariana, who seems to call you incessantly this summer. You said goodbye too. I think you got tired of everyone leaving you so you decided to say goodbye too. They asked where you were going and you said you weren't sure but Mama says that if I keep asking for so many things, she won't be able to pay the mortgage and we'll have to sell the house and leave. HAHAHA! I laughed so hard within myself. Teach me to use that as an excuse.

I can't wait for next month! It's your birthday month and I already bought you your present. I HOPE YOU LIKE IT! :) I love you Anna.

Love, Mama

Ani,

Happy 4th of July! Tetka, you and I went hiking up Big Cottonwood Canyon...IN SLIPPERS! I simply cannot believe the things your Tetka makes us do! Let alone all the rules we manage to break in just a FEW HOURS! This my dear, puts you out of your comfort zone every single time and I try so hard to shield you from her. But if you only knew half the things your Tetka has made me do, oh heavens.... I should stop right now. Let me just say, life without Tetka, would be absolutely BORING.

We went off the beaten path, as you warned we should not. Curiosity gets Tetka and well, that usually spells trouble most times. And it did, sort of.... we saw a huge ANACONDA of a rattlesnake hidden high within the walls of a rock cliff. When Tetka saw it, she told us not to move because there was a snake near us. I couldn't see it but my instincts were to grab your shirt and pull you out of danger. As much as Tetka told us not to move, it was hillarious! WE MOVED ALRIGHT....I'm not even sure ANYTHING could've stopped us! It was like 2 wild hyenas running through the mountains screaming profanities in every direction! All I could remember was grabbing the front of your shirt and pulling you infront of me. You didn't seem to move fast enough so I grabbed you as if to carry you. And you clung on like a baby monkey does to her MAMA! It was hillarious now that I think about it. I think all the animals in the forest heard our voices!

Again, I love you Anna. SO SOOOO MUCH! How can you make my life so complete?!

BTW, you said this picture of me was your favorite. YOU'RE MY FAVORITE. :)

Zbog Tebe, Ani

I can just look at you and everything comes alive. Everything in this world may come to an end and I couldn't care one bit because I had you in it. I simply cannot believe there is anything finer than you. Funny as you may think, those button eyes your Tata and I have conjured up, why there is none finer in this world. Believe that Ani.

We ran your first 5K and let me tell ya. You did absolutely WONDERFUL. I believe there was a lesson learned that day. As tired as you were, we kept pushing through it. Your face turned beet red, sweat came pouring down your face. Doubt clouded your thoughts, yet you trusted me. You tried so hard to beat this 80 year old man. It was hillarious Anna. It was like watching the Hare and the Tortoise! And towards the end, you were so close and yet so far away from the finish line. I asked you what you wanted and you said the words I did not want to hear. "I can't do it mama". I asked you again, "what is it that you want, Ani" and you replied somberly "will you beat him?" and I said "let this be a lesson for you..." I will show you Ani that you can do anything as long as you put your mind to it. I will beat this man for you and in turn I NEVER want to hear you say that you "can't" ever again. Your father and I did not call upon the heavens to make such a beautiful mind only to go to waste. No Ani. You have the best, THE BEST of both of us in you and there is NO OTHER. I went ahead of you to beat that man, and was there at the finish line to see you coming in and give you the biggest hug! Congratulations my love! What an accomplishment. You even had some of your classmates running and we passed them. You should be proud of yourself. Ani, if there's anything more impressive, it's the confidence that carries you through life. That my love, is something that cannot be hidden, no matter how hard you try. Continue to do well. Run like the wind. Life is too short. Take advantage of all that life has to offer you. Don't hurt people in the process, live, love and toil with a will... because it all can end in a heartbeat. And all that's left..... is the kind of person you left behind. Make your mark Ani. I have a feeling peoples lives will CHANGE once they've met you....

Love,

Mama

Ani, La Luna!

Anna, La Luna!

Ululare alla Luna, Bella!
Lasciate che la luna stasera sentire la tua voce.
Ballare, cantare, toccare la sua tonalita di giallo!

Lui afferrare da sue orecchie e sussurrare paroline dolci
Gli permettono di arrossire dai tuoi baci appassionati.
Ma non chiudete gli occhi, Bella!

Ascoltare la bella luna.
Egli brilla alla perfezione questa sera per me.
Nemmeno le stelle possono brillare piu luminoso
Per il suo destino che ci unisce.

Allo Ani,

Tonight there was a lunar eclipse. We weren't able to see it on the American continent. I believe it was Africa that could view the entire eclipse, and what a sight it must've been. I like to imagine sitting ontop one of those ancient pyramids in Giza, or on the shores of Seychelles....

The moon tonight is big and bold and beautiful. You are asleep. Tomorrow is your play at school. You are so excited to perform infront of the entire school and parents. I can hardly wait to see you too my love. The poem above is in Italian. I thought of you as I wrote it. Enjoy my love!

Amore,

tua Madre