Christmas Brings Unexpected Miracles In Some Families

I have witnessed during this Christmas Holiday season, that unexpected miracles can happen.
For years, or ever since marrying Nellie, certain members of her family have undertaken that tiresome, tedious task of openly hating me, and excluding me from their idea of "family".

They have tired themselves out, and have done nothing to impair my cheerful spirits. They lose big time by hating me so publicly and so wantonly. I did nothing to my wife's oldest daughter, expect to acknowledge that she thinks of herself as a Know-it-all with a sharp condescending arrogance. She has lost -not me. Life has a terrible way of slapping us back with real drama adversities, and one can only wonder with sadness, if this is the price the evil ones pay for being so evil to others who have done them no harm...ever. I have moved beyond the days when it bothered me that some members of my wife's family openly scorned me. I pray for the haters in that family.

My wife Nellie told me recently that her brother is pondering a possible peace overture with me. I welcome it. I long ago forgave him for for his hurtful remarks directed at me. It has hurt more than I can say, the unfortunate remarks this fellow directed at my Mother who passed away in 1990. During violent confrontation this fellow instigated with me in my own apartment one afternoon in November, 2003, he cursed my Mother, calling her a wh-re and a pro---tute.
If he makes amends for those terrible remarks, the peace will be made between us.

He does not have to like me, nor do I have to like him, but we can be civil to one another after he makes that gesture to me. I told Nellie, I am willing to come to meet him, and to hear him make any peacemaking remarks. I too am prepared to seek his forgiveness, for my stubbornness as well. So, Daniel Cruz, if you read this, I am ready to make the peace, if you are ready to make the peace. If it occurs, may it be a genuine expression of peace on your part, for that is the only way I am prepared to make the peace with you. I will not meet with you to say "I'm sorry..." just to get it out of the way. It's up to my wife's brother to make the first gesture. If he calls on me, I will take his call. I lose nothing. He and the others lose more, by hating me. Hatefulness brings bad health to those that hate people.

My wife's oldest daughter Margie is an extremely difficult person. I am prepared to make the peace with her too. We do not have to like each other to make amends. We can be civil to one another. Who knows, maybe with time, she will come to like me as a person. That would be a nice thing for me. I admit I do not like her, but I harbor no ill will for her, nor do any hateful feelings dwell in me for I can not learn to hate anyone. I refuse to. I have never have and never will.

In the time I have left on Earth, I pledge to be on good terms with those who have hated me, provided they renounce their hatred.

I have witnessed all too well, the pain and anguish that comes from racial discrimination, and lived as a child with the pain of being marginalized for being poor, for being in those days, "a racial minority". I'm glad the stigma and indignities visited on children of color, in those long gone days...is finally a thing of the past.... long gone from our midst. I find it quite sad personally, to be marginalized by certain members of my wife's family, for being me.
I'm grateful to Carville and Bonnie Shaffer for their wonderful unconditional friendship. I feel the same gratitude for Milton and Marilyn Farr. I am enormously fond of these wonderful friends and I get misty-eyed when I think of them. For the life long friendship of Congressman Charlie Rangel, I will forever be in his debt, proud to know this magnificent American patriot who is one of the greatest treasures of our Nation during this 21st Century and of the 20Th Century.

I pray for our next President Barack H. Obama and his soon-to-be Vice President Joseph Biden, and may they lead us with distinction beginning January 20, 2009. Mr. Obama will be the first American president to be elected, that was not born in the Continental United States.

Wherever Fred and Beth Clawson read this, please know I love you both. To all my friends, Johnny C. Rivera, George Ruiz, U.S. Senator Gordon M. Smith, U.S. Senator Harry Reid, to name a few...Thank you all for your warmth, friendship and support. To Congressman Joseph Crowley, my area Congressman, God bless you for being a great, conscientious public servant.
To Anne Marie Anzalone his Chief of Staff, Happy Birthday Anne Marie, and many, many more to you.
Thanks to my friend Jorge Caceres of San Francisco , California for all the inspirational music he has at his store. Look up his website www.duoesperanzastore.com for some great buys.

I pray for Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila of Puerto Rico, and his family. I wish for him all of life's goodness.

To my boss and friend, Suleika Cabrera Drinane, and her family, I wish for all the happiness, good health that God can give you all. Suleika is a national treasure, God bless her.

Until the sun sets on my life, be assured that I will make the peace with those who hurt me and hate me, and I will be in the service of those who are in need. Until my journey in this life ends, be assured that this Serene Warrior will promote goodness and peace, in the hearts of ever person
I can touch with my life.

Miracles can happen even in some families. I will keep you posted.
When Heavenly Father finally calls on me to my rest, may I awaken and find myself cradled in His loving arms.
May I see you all there, and may you all know that I have loved and cherished all of you...for time and eternity.
May our Heavenly Father bless you all.

I have made these remarks in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
So long for now.