May 8th: A Freedom Date

“You can make choices and change your present circumstances.  You can alter your future.”
-Dan Millman,
Way of the Peaceful Warrior

Madonna is all the rage again.  Her song, LIKE A PRAYER, has been on the top of the charts since April 16th.   I wonder if it is getting people to become more in touch with their spiritual side.   I do like the way she produced/choreographed her music video for it:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79fzeNUqQbQ It’s Birthday month again.   My niece, Ashley, will be 5 years old on May 8th.   My brother, Tony, will be turning thirty-one on May 12th.   I will be turning the big “30” on May 26th.  Yikes!   I must plan something special. 

Ashley’s Birthday falls on a Monday this year, so her mom, Sherri, is planning a party for her on Sunday, May 7th.   I’m happy to attend.   My mom says that her mom (my grandmother) will be there also.   It will be fun to see all of the kids together (Ashley, Lauren, Holly and Leigh).  

May 7, 1989I snapped some cool pictures on the day of Ashley’s Party.  I teased mom and Helen about wearing the same color blue.   They both look good in that color, so it was a smart choice.

Ashley was on cloud nine over her cake and presents.   She had one of her good neighborhood friends (Sarah) there also.   I took some good photos of the kids.   They were only Polaroid shots but I feel they captured some sensitive, happy moments.
I sometimes wonder if Ashley realizes the significance of her birthday almost 40 years before she was born.   May 8, 1945 is the VICTORY IN EUROPE DAY:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_in_Europe_Day
World War II ended after Adolf Hitler committed suicide on April 30, 1945 during the Battle of Berlin.  V-Day is celebrated in Europe on May 8th and it is the significant public holiday that marked the end of World War II.   It’s a freedom date for hopeful, new beginnings.

I received a new letter from Paloma.   She wrote:
Michael,
Shall I send your things to your mom's?   What happened with that flight-attendant job?   After May 31st write at my new address. 

What are you going to do for your Birthday?  That's an important one: "30".  

You never sent me a picture of your mom's dolls, so I don't know what to look for. 

I have to send this letter right now if I want you to get it for your Birthday, Monday is a holiday here, so I'll stop writing.  

When are you going to learn FRENCH...lazy bum.   You could practice with me (maybe I should write you in French?)   Write me.  
Missing you.  Love, Paloma

I also received another letter from one of my 4th grade students at the SF Elementary School.   This one was from Jenny Mac.  Jenny wrote in such perfect writing.   She's the one who says I reminded her of the singer, George Michael (Ha-ha).  She’s a smart one:

May 8, 1989 Dear Mr. Armijo,
How are you doing?   Like your new job?   I really enjoyed having you in our class.   Our class missed you very much, especially Samantha, Deana and I.   Dr. Crowley is going to have a new partner, I hope he or she would be as nice as you are.

Things are going pretty well in our class.   We are participating in a DRAMA PROGRAM.   At the end of five months we will be putting on a play for our school.   I’m really looking forward to it.   We will also be having a science fair.   We’re going to be displaying our inventions and our ads to other classes.   I’m looking forward to that too. I hope I’ll have a chance to see you again.   Write back soon.   Well, gotta go…Ta, Ta.   Sincerely, Your Pal, Jenny Mac

PS-Hope you liked my picture and poem.   Thanks for the box of chocolates (Could I have a picture of you?). POEM by Jenny Mac: 
WHEN I’M BLUE
I THINK OF YOU,
YOU’RE SO COOL,
THAT I MISS YOU,
AND THAT IS TRUE.
Every time has its own evil, but a human being can still be good.
-Maria Dermout,
THE TEN THOUSAND THINGS