I am sitting in my coffee shop this morning wondering when I will get the urge to write on my blog again. After all I write when something really moves me. It could be incredible happiness, sadness, frustration or just surprise. However, most of the time my life is so peaceful, and even though it conflicts with my writing, I am really grateful

I admit, it is heartbreaking to watch what is happening with the oil spill and what this tragedy has created. What about the mix feelings that brings SB1070, or the housing market in Arizona and even the upcoming Soccer World Cup! All those topics deserve a blog but I cannot bring myself to write about them.

So while I sit here enjoying what could be the last months of my coffee shop I decided to make a list of the qualities that have drawn me to some of my clients and now my friends. After all these qualities can be listed in a matchmaking website as “What makes somebody a perfect dating candidate” and may be able to help those looking for love

So here is the list of what I admire and I am sure most of us do:

Happy people: People that have a great attitude towards life, those who are grateful to be alive. Their happiness shows and can be felt.

Honest people: It makes you a great person to be around

Generous people: People that give selflessly deserve admiration

People with family values: It says a lot when a person keeps in touch and respect their parents and siblings

People that know who they are and what they want: Knowing who you are is a blessing.

People with a passion: It keeps them alive!

People that keep educating themselves: Being around people that learn new things every day is never boring

People that take care of themselves: To see a gorgeous 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 year old that respects their body and looks their best is inspirational.

People that respect all forms of life: It shows compassion and respect

People that expand their horizons: Learning about other cultures and countries opens your mind and makes you aware of how fortunate you are

People that are on time: Being on time shows respect to others. Be grateful for the time other people give to you

Thank you to everybody that has enriched my life through all these fabulous 15 years. Your stories, your energy and your love have been an incredible start of every single day!

Love you all!

I saw her last week. Her beautiful blue eyes were still sparkling. She trembled, took my hands and touched my hair. She told me I looked beautiful. I held back tears, wore my best smile and told her she looked as beautiful as I remember her. I hugged her not wanting to admit but knowing that it may be the last time. She blew me a kiss and walked away, tall gorgeous but fragile. I stayed behind speechless, and asked repeatedly why her.

She has always been the picture of health, making a conscious effort to live a healthy lifestyle. Exercise was part of her every day life. She is beautiful, her amazing soul makes her even more dazzling. She has one of the biggest and most giving hearts. When the doctors diagnosed her with cancer, it was a complete shock for everybody that knows her. Cancer came to her life as a thief with no warnings, to steal her more precious gift. She taught me so many things through all these years. Every morning at my coffee shop, I waited to see her. The brief moments I shared with her while making her latte were a highlight in my day. She was always happy, even now she still smiles. I looked up to her. What a beautiful woman!

Today her husband told me that the news were not good. The last results have come back showing that the cancer was back and unfortunately, they could not do anything else. I tried to make sense of this whole thing. There is so many people out there that take life for granted, so many that poison their bodies every day with drugs and alcohol, so many that have little respect for their lives as well as for everybody else’s … not her.

I know that we as human beings cannot see the full picture. I believe there is a purpose for everything and everything happens as it is supposed to. I am not going to second guess or ask why anymore, but there is a lesson to learn from this: Life is the most precious gift we have and it is up to us to make every minute count. Treat life as a present, enjoy every second you are given because it can be taken away at any time.

My dear friend, you are in my heart and in my prayers.