Top posts
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The Standing Ovation
Family and friends, shoulder to shoulder, in rows, aisles, against the wall; eyes fixated on the priest who acknowledged seeing such crowds in Easter and Christmas; a warm atmosphere expressed by shaking hands, soft embraces, gentle kisses. This was a...
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Bolder and Braver...My Undercover Life...is available for purchase
BOLDER AND BRAVER My Undercover Life A GREAT INSIGHT INTO THE SHADOW WORLD of working Undercover through the eyes of a female Undercover who has maintained her moral compass after several years of UC work... -Joseph Pistone, Retired FBI agent who spent...
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Moses and Mary Speak
The impact of words in our lives never cease to amaze me. They can empower your being so much that you feel you can move a mountaintop. Yet, on the flip side, they can crush your spirit to the point of a devastation that leads to surrender. If you are,...
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No Regrets
Yesterday morning, at approximately 5:32am PST, my cell phone rang and I wondered who was calling me at such an early hour. I did not answer it for I knew the person would call my home, if it was urgent. My thought had not been completed, when I heard...
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1st Step is HUGE...
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr hit the nail on the head when he said, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." If I had heard him say that in the sixties, I'd have shouted, "Right on, Brother." and my old pal, Lola would...
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Christopher Anthony Matlosz...
The passing of Christopher Anthony Matlosz on January 14, 2011 by a cold and heartless animal stirred much love, devotion and empathy among family, friends and the thin blue line whose membership I am proud to uphold. It is times like these when I cannot...
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A Father's Focus
Upon retiring in May of 2010, Nicholas Tonzillo, my friend and former colleague, relocated to Maui, Hawaii. A few years earlier, his eldest daughter, Domenica had begun undergraduate studies at the University of Hawaii. Being the family man that he is,...
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George
On June 11, 2011, at 4:14pm, PST, I received a text from a friend which read, We just put George down, "my beloved 4 legged baby." Feeling the weight of her words, I immediately called her to provide consolation. When she answered, I asked how she was...
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Reunions
Mia and I travelled cross country for almost 2 weeks while enjoying the beauty and history of various states. Once we reached Illinois, anxiety set in; we were almost home and being a Jersey girl at heart, I drove with that focus in mind. On July 12th,...
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Monday Morning Quarterbacking
Life is like a game of football. You are the quarterback and you call the plays as you see fit based on your training and experience. The playbook has been scrutinized and the plays have been practiced with tenacity. The Coach's words are loud and clear...
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Simply First Love
On this Valentines Day, I would like to share a precious memory with you. You know the kind I will speak of; most of us have had them during our adolescence. They are undeniably real and magically exquisite beyond belief. Blessed are we that experience...
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Second Chance
When I was a kid in school and admitted to the teacher that I had made a mistake in my work, I would always ask if I could, "do it over". Nine times out of ten, the teacher would give me a second chance. I was always thankful because I knew I was given...
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Let's Dance, My Friend
What is a friend? I will tell you...it is someone with whom you dare to be yourself." ~ Frank Crane The friendships I maintain are absolutely priceless. They vary in physicality and interests, but are equal in compassion. We share each other's happiness...
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What is Your worth?
This morning while in my vehicle, I was waiting on line to drop off my daughter, Mia at school. Noticing two young girls exiting the car ahead of mine caused me to ponder on the noun, "worth*". I made the mental math regarding the worth of the girls'...
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Code 10-13
backup: a person or thing that supports or reinforces another. There is not a man of us who does not at times need a helping hand to be stretched out to him, and then shame upon him who will not stretch out the helping hand to his brother." — Theodore...
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Inner Circle
"Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal; it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it." — Eliza Tabor Earlier this week, I spoke with you about the characteristic we find in people which propels them to aid...
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Facing Your Giants
We face giants* continuously. Their characteristics differ, but their ability to make us feel powerless remains the same. As toddlers, an angry look or a reprimand from an adult brought us to tears and we could do nothing to combat it. Later, the steps...
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Celebrating Eve
It is great to be a woman!* There is so much we can do*, yet we give ourselves and each other such little credit. Why? Throughout history*, women have taken on important roles and have made grand accomplishments. There are countless stories showing courage...
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Time to Rest
In constant motion, we move, rarely finding the time to catch a breath. We know that time waits for no one, so we become robotic and try to meet the deadlines we set for ourselves. Believing more accomplishments will make us happier, we increase momentum....
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THE EVER PRESENT X
What makes one person harder to forget than another? The answer seems obvious to you, but when asked to explain it, you cannot. How can you remove someone from your mind when their memory seems to taunt you indiscriminately? You attempt to forget them...
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Milestones
I awoke this morning with the thought of three significant people who share a birthday with one another. Lest I forget and before the day was absorbed with tasks, I sent them well wishes, jokes and love. Wanting them to know their impact in my life, I...
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Overcoming Life's Challenges
Last night, my good friend, Veteran, Darwin Laidley visitied me at home. What he brought forth were heroic stories which entailed overcoming life's challenges. Until 4 a.m, we shared vivid recollections of moments that caused us to empathize, laugh and...
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A New Beginning
You receive your newborn*, swaddled in a blanket and upon seeing their angelic face, you are never the same again. Earnest devotion automatically follows and the great task of mothering begins. Later, a mere photograph of someone else's baby melts your...
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Inspiration
How grand to find inspiration in your fellow man on Memorial Day! Every year in Venice Beach, Joe Wheatley promotes an Armed Forces Championship in conjunction with a Bikini, Figure and Bodybuilding Competition. At 1300 hours, a plane flies overheard...
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M.S.T.
During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I'd like to talk about something that is seldom spoken of in the Armed Forces--Military Sexual Trauma (MST). What is it? Technically, it is the term that the Department of Veterans Affairs utilizes to describe sexual...