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I was six years old sitting at the reception room waiting to be called for my first piano lesson and I was excited but mostly afraid.

The day before, my best friend Rocio, confided a conversation between her mother and other ladies from the neighborhood.The new piano teacher was very ugly and mean “like a witch.” After listening to this, I started to imagine all kind of excuses I can use to not go, and fell asleep in the process.

Finally I heard my name, a door opens and I see a lady walking to us. She introduces herself as Miss Bertha, the new piano teacher and I can’t believe my friend Rocio was so wrong; she is not ugly at all.

As she is greeting my mother, I notice her voice was soft and I am thinking, a “witch” does not have a voice like this.” With a big smile she asks me to follow her and I started to feel better.

Once at the piano, the first thing I learned was the proper way to sit and the position of my hands. But most important how to express myself, both playing and using my voice with the proper tone.

I also learned at the end of my piano lesson Miss Bertha was not a witch.

I still practice to this date Miss Bertha’s method to express myself; using the proper tone when talking and believe me it works.
It is in our nature to react defensive when someone talks to us with a loud or angry tone, from “I want a glass with water” to “You are wearing that?”

If you say the same things with a soft tone, people will react very different. The waitress will bring you the glass with water with no funny surprises inside and your wife will look better next time.

My personal quote for years has been:

“Using the proper tone to express ourselves, can be the difference between heaven and hell.”

By Mardo…

As children we always had pets, we treated them like family members. We had canaries, turtles, dogs, rabbits, hamsters and cats. My favorite pet is dogs, besides been good guardians, I like to teach them all kind of tricks and especially play hide and seek. After my last dog was poison a beautiful one year old white American Samoyed. I had promise myself not to have another pet. Every time something bad happened I suffer terrible.

Three years ago I was visiting a friend, as we are talking I started listening a cry. My friend said it was her neighbor’s seven year old daughter named Anita, she has been crying because they where moving to another city and had to get read of her new pet dog. After a while I just couldn’t stand listening anymore and decided to go outside and talk to her.

When I approach Anita and before I said anything, with tears in her big brown sad eyes she said to me; “I only have today to give away my dog and If I don’t find someone, my father will take her to the animal shelter”. “She’s only four month old and she will die there” she continues saying. I knew exactly how she felt and as much I want to explain that her dog will be placed for adoption, Anita had decided already her tiny fragile dog will die anyway. So without any doubt, I volunteered to take her pet with me. The third degree from Anita started immediately, You have to promise to take very good care, love her very much, bath her, feed her, Anita continue telling me, until I interrupted her and ask her, what is your dog name? Oh! No name yet she respond,

“How about Anita like your name” I said,

“Ok, you can take her with you” she answered,

I could see the big relief lifted from her face and heart. Suddenly, I was the proud owner of a female dog a mix Terrier with

Chihuahua. Of course after I swear and promise a lot.

My dog Anita has a distinguish personality and very intelligent. She’s also very educated and because the way she conducts herself, I often forget she is indeed a dog and I love her very much.

A year ago, new neighbors move in next door, the couple of times I went to welcome them, they never where there. As days pass, I started to notice that every time I call Anita my dog to come to me, I will see from the corner of my eye, the new neighbor’s curtains window slightly opening, I will turn around and the curtains will be closed again.

Finally one afternoon as I was arriving home, I see this older charming lady sitting in the steps of my door. She introduces herself as the new neighbor, with her daughter and son in law had just moved from Australia.

I was in the process to invited her inside when she interrupted me and said, May I ask you something? “Of course” I said. “What is the name of your dog?” She asks me. “Anita” I respond. She continues with “my name is Ann, my daughter’s name is Anita and my son in law name is Andrew”.

At first I didn’t knew what to say and after a pause, we both started laughing at the same time. I love my neighbors, they are good and wonderful people, they loved my dog and take pride when they call her Anita.

By Mardo…

I see him right now

Is it true? I ask my oldest brother, I will not see grandfather anymore, he answered no, it is not true.

“We will see him more,” my brother said. “Every time we feed the canary in the bird cage that he made, we will see him; in the rose garden that he planted we will see him; in the piano bench he built for you, in the old chair in the backyard where he sat and read to us, with his friends when they talk about him, at the park where he played the guitar, in our hearts forever.”

“Do you understand?” he asks me.

“Yes I do. I see him right now.”

On Thursday evening, I received a phone call from my oldest brother, he was happy like always. He told me, “Have the Lambrusco red wine ready, I want to show you my new guitar. I’ll be there tomorrow evening.”

I had not seen my brother since our last family reunion back in March, but always kept in touch with phone calls and email. We always been so closed and I have learned so much from him. I was very happy he was coming and decided to surprise him with one of his favorite dishes “spicy shrimp with rice” and of course the wine.

On Friday morning September 14, 2007 my oldest brother died in a car accident.

But you know, I will see my brother more. Every time I open the music box he made for me, in our pictures together holding me, in my living room playing the guitar, in the books he gave me, at the park where we play, in his children and grandchildren, in my heart forever.

Do you understand? I see him right now.

By Mardo…

I was taught to be courteous and complement people in an honest positive way. We are living in a fast, over sensitive, digital world and forget to slowdown.

I try to be a faithful observer of life  and as time goes  by, I am glad to see and listen to people still asking with a (please) and responding with (you’re welcome) greeting with (good morning) or (hello) and  (good night) or (good bye.) But, saying nothing at the middle.

Saying nothing at the middle? Let me explain; The other day I went groceries shopping, when I arrived at the cashiers and as I was paying , I was asked how I was doing and my response was “very good thank you, but  how are you doing after been for hours on you’re feet and still be able to keep a nice smile”.  She stared at me with a pause and stated: We are train to be courteous with  customers, very rarely we get a complement especially after dealing with rude people.

She finishes by adding “You know I don’t feel tired anymore thanks to you” Her words melt my heart, like I am sure I melt hers.

People work hard in different ways and it is sad how we have neglected to complement each other.

So, smile and complement each other,

By Mardo…