Mary Manuel:  

As we travel this journey we've come to know as LIFE we encounter adversity. Closely followed by resilence, this is what molds us into the type of person we are today. Our Faith is what will bring us through all our challenges life has to offer. After leaving Bel Air I moved to Southern California and lived there 5 yrs. Got to experience the beautiful scenery and beaches they have to offer. Oh, lets not forget Disneyland, Hollywood, Knotts Berry Farm. Universal Studios and just too many more to list. I returned back to El Paso only to be drawn to Houston, Texas after a vacation there in 1980. I found a good balance living there and learned how to drive among the 5 million people living there. I lived in Houston, Tx. for 28yrs. My decision to leave Houston and move to Dallas area came after my Grand kids started to arrive. By this time I had faced the greatest challenge in life and that was to finish raising my youngest son after my husband of 10yrs passed away. My son at the time was 2yrs. old when we lost his Dad. Vowing never to remarry again I continued to grow and get to know Mary. For so many years I had been the one to do for others and accomodate their every beckoning call. As a result I found myself not really fitting in with all couples group whether it was friends or relatives. So I made the decision to start traveling and get to experience other cultures. I tried to invite friends and sisters alike only to be turned down due to finances. So I moved on and to this date have been to Cancun, Mx more times than I can recall my last trip there was 1999. Now with the unpleasantries of wars they are having I refuse to go there. In late 06-07 rang in the New Year in Crested Butte, Colorado got to see Olympic Snowboarder Shawn White free styling and entertaining the crowd. No, I do not ski I am scared to break my bones. In 08 Jamaica and their steel drums called out and so I visited Negril, Jamaica all inclusive is the way I roll. The resort was over the top and have some memories to last me life time. I did parasail and felt like an angel floating above the Carribean. Early in 09 Las Vegas welcomed Gracie (Ex-Highlander) and I and have to say Lady Luck was with me that time around. Vegas has changed so much recommend The Paris. The Venitian is the largest resort and casino in Las Vegas and now has become my favorite place when I am in Vegas. Later part of 09 Paradise Island, Bahamas is where I strolled the tourqouise waters of their white sandy beach. Went on a tour into Nassu and got to see Anna Nicoles house where she passed away. Also toured 2 of their Forts where years past the Bahamas was under British rule. Got to see where the cannons were set up and the amunition that hepled defend the people from pirates trying to come inland and rob the people that lived there. As I strolled down below to the bunker part of the Fort you can visably see where some of the men carved their names into the walls and dated it going back to the 1800's. As I placed my hand over their names I felt somewhat of a connection with one whom has long departed but is not forgotten. I made a later trip back to Vegas with my oldest son and let him know I was taking him to go and see Carlos Santana in 09. That was a period where Mom and Son bonded and know long after I am gone he will smile when he thinks of this time. Currently my oldest son is working in Afganistan as a Journeyman Electrician. We stay in touch via email and he called us this past Sunday. He sounded like he might be in El Paso he came in so clear. It touched my heart as I heard him sing Happy Birthday to his now 3yr old son. As I fought the tears back I thought Girl! you did raise him to be the man he has become. He's an Ex-Marine and I am ever so proud of him. SEMPER FII ........Lord Keep Him Safe His Children & Wife Need Him and so do I. In 2010 I was scheduled to go to Hawaii only to cancel in October. I reconnected with my first boyfriend ever. What a wonderful 5mos. that played out to be. So I took small trips traveled to San Antonio, Tx, Austin, Tx, and Houston, Tx. Now here we are 2011 as I reflect back on my life I can honestly say it has been a wonderful experience. This year I will try and make that Hawaii trip I cancelled in 2010 and March 2011 Celine Dion is going to open at Ceasar's Palace I bought my ticket back in 7-2010 I am sooooo there!!! Yes, folks in March 2011 I flew in for Celine Dion's Show. She was on her 2nd night of performing and with no surprise both her shows were sold out. Her show is clean adult entertainment, her gowns were coture of course and she sang this song in French with so much emotion I cried listening to her. At the end of the song you could see Celine was also crying as were so many of her fans watching the show. In my 20's played wife and mommy, in my 30's made the rounds ladies night, 40's it was all about career and 50's finished raising my youngest and net work with Professional Grps. Now 60's well I have to say I am happy, some times I wish I had a significant other with no strings attached. No, let me re-phrase that if I may....If Lord was to send me a good ole boy with good values and love for the Lord and allow me to be my own person YES! I would re-consider marriage. I do not drink except perhaps ocassionally, I do not smoke or have any bad habits. Love the Lord with all my being and know the day I am called to go Home and be with him it will just be a continuation of caring for others less fortunate than myself as I do now. Travel to places unknow to me. My Fellow Highlanders I guess you could say I have run the gamut ranging from sadness to happiness and completed full circle. Be Blessed and Run The Good Race and Continue to Climb that mountain. ****On July 5 2011 our Faith was shaken to the core as our family prepared to say good-bye to our beloved Mother whom I refer to as Queen of Hearts. The nights were long and the days became a blurr as we prepared for her Memorial Service. Through this ordeal I encourage those of you who still have your parents stay in touch with them. Lift them up when they are not feeling well. Encourage them when they are sad and be sure to take time to let them know how much they mean to you. Let us not forget Our Parents are Yesterdays Children and they have put in their time to raise their families through sacrafice and tears of love. ****December 10th, 2011 ANDRE BOCELLI at MGM Las Vegas, NV. I will let you all know how it went. I am so ready to go and enjoy this show. He is a Legend in his time. 12-10-2011......Arrived in Las Vegas and the town had a feel of Excitement and Joy and was dressed all a glow as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. As I made my way through the airport towards baggage claim there were marquees announicing Andrea Bocelli in Concert tonight. This in itself was reason enough to be in Las Vegas for me. For many of us we might not realize that this man whom in my book is a Legend became blind at the age of 12yrs due to congenital glacoma and a blow to the head he received while playing goal in a soccer game. Andrea Bocelli was born September 22, 1958 in Lajitco, Pisa Tuscany, Italy. Andrea started his signing career in the late 1980's as he sang in piano bars throug...Expand for more