Cristina Jill Mosqueda
Late Ripeness
“Not soon, as late as the approach of my ninetieth year, I felt a door opening in me and I entered the clarity of early morning.
One after another my former lives were departing, like ships, together with their sorrow.
And the countries, cities, gardens, the bays of seas assigned to my brush came closer, ready now to be described better than they were before.
I was not separated from people, grief and pity joined us. We forget – I kept saying – that we are all children of the King.
For where we come from there is no division into Yes and No, into is, was, and will be.
We were miserable, we used no more than a hundredth part of the gift we received for our long journey.
Moments from yesterday and from centuries ago – a sword blow, the painting of eyelashes before a mirror of polished metal, a lethal musket shot, a caravel staving its hull against a reef – they dwell in us, waiting for a fulfillment.
I knew, always, that I would be a worker in the vineyard, as are all men and women living at the same time, whether they are aware of it or not.”
~ Czeslaw Milosz ~
My name is Cristina Jill Mosqueda Cooper. I pause looking at my name, and think about how much there is to explain with those words alone. My mother gave me a name to use in each of my worlds, Cristina for my Cuban life, and Jill for the American life. I suppose it is there were the paradoxes of my life began.
I have been many things in my life, from a housekeeper to a high school history teacher; but no matter what else I did, I was always a writer. I love words and the power and passion which they can be used to create. I love reading words, writing words, speaking words, and listening to words – especially words from people that I love and respect.
It is my desire to live life on my own terms, and willingly or not, I have paid the price demanded, by the world, to be myself. I share my life with Kate. I also travel, cook, garden, sculpt, and make large messes doing all of the above. Welcome to my world, that is all for now.
Kate Scarcella
My name is Kate Scarcella and for twenty years I have worked in the field of technology; I am a Certified Information Systems Security Professional. I received my Master of Science in Information Security, from Nova Southeastern University, with a curriculum developed by the National Security Agency and the Department of Defense, dealing specifically with reducing vulnerability in our national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research. I am passionate about security, and my hope is to help the average user understand how they can be instrumental in protecting not only their personal identifying information, but by performing some simple task, that can also help in protecting the internet.
For us there is only now.Yesterday was blemished in its less than perfect state,And unto no one is tomorrow given. So if not now, when? Now is the day of dreams fulfilled and of love reborn.Now is the day of ideal grace and forgotten transgressionsremembered no more.Now is the day of endless summer suns on teal and emerald beaches. So if not now, when? Hand in hand we celebrate this moment.Hand in hand we are inseparable in our unity, and indestructible in our love.Hand in hand our strength is doubled and our weakness made void. So if not now, when? Now we best ourselves as we reach for the unimaginable.Now we conquer the impossible, as we accept divine mercy.Now we live the desires of our heart. So if not now, when? ~ Cristina Jill Mosqueda ~
Marcial Barros
You may not remember my name, but you have already heard of me and my family through Jill’s articles. I live in Miami with my wife Adriana and my children Patricia and Marcial. Adriana and I met in Havana when studying at the university and we have been married since September 1987. Patricia is a freshman now at some college far from home and Marcial is a middle school student. I am an Electronic Engineer (like Adriana is) but I appreciate all forms of art.
I will be recommending some movies I have enjoyed. My plan is to include everything, from just Hollywood entertainment to classic and foreign movies. I don’t expect you to like every movie I have chosen, but most of them will make you have a good time or leave you thinking about different aspects of our lives. Enjoy!
What mark will I leave behind?I have watchedThe final touchOf deathI have played the rulesSet by the masterThough often I didn’tUnderstand the gameI have wornMore masks thanI rememberI have beenA face withoutA nameAnd whenLike youI askThe final questionWho on earthAm I supposedTo be?I alwaysCome full circleTo the answerMeOnly meAlways me. . . ~Leonard Nimoy ~
