The Train Memory -Jade da Rocha

It was a Friday afternoon on the summer of 1985 in Brazil; I was traveling on the train from the City of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais to Vitoria, Espirito Santo. I could never think an approximately 7 hours on a train could be so exciting. At first, the sound of the train encased on the railroad tracks felt like a repeated melody to my ears as I was recounting my vision for a happy summer at the monazite sands of the beaches of Guarapari, located on the coast of the state of Espirito Santo where my family waits my arrival.

The smell of the meat grilled with charcoal from the restaurants cabin, convinced myself to have lunch at the restaurant. Suddenly, on my way to the restaurant cabin I hear a woman screaming. I was so curious that I followed the sound of her painful voice. Someone else scream “Is that a doctor in the train?” I could not see what was happening, all I could see was the astonished, surprisingly face of the passengers.

I see a doctor rushing thru the aisles and I follow him as if I was his assistant and finally broke through the crowd and saw this young woman about to deliver a baby. It seemed more like we were part of a dramatic film as the young woman screams more intensively. The doctor remained patient as we could contemplate this magnificent phenomenon of the head of the baby coming out slowly. We could not hold our breaths screaming in a chorus “It’s coming, it’s coming!”  The doctor announced: “It’s a girl, a healthy baby girl.” We all applauded this incredible, marvelous, yet scaring situation at the time.

 I went back to the restaurant cabin to taste the smoke of the charcoal on the meal, after all I was starving. For the rest of the trip we feel to talking about this unusual moment, creating a bond that one could never forgot. The train arrived at 9:00pm sharp. My father was anxiously waiting for me. Inside the car heading to Guarapari, I told him the beautiful experience I had witnessed.  We laugh…  From the “varanda” of our house in Guarapari, I can see the waves breaking on shore. I can touch this moments as if was only yesterday.

Oh, I would love to be back there now. Happy times!

*Varanda – verandah, balcony

-Jade da Rocha

All My Love

 

This one is a tale for you my love
You are out there, somewhere...
transcending like magic

You will come with the wind
as an awakening to our love
I will let the doors of my eyes open
to welcome your fervent heart


Within the days we were inseparable
With time we became as one

Fondly...quietly...eternally
we will get to
a state of mind that without each other
is no sunshine.

And once more proclaiming this love
for ever and ever

this is a tale of you and me my love!!!

-Jade da Rocha

Daybreak by Jade da Rocha

As I gaze at the skies on a chilly early morning of January, 2012 from my backyard, I see the darkness of the daybreak as the clouds spreads rapidly for the warm rays of sunshine dazzling overpower the moment. I have never really looked at the brilliance behind the translucent color of the ethereal firmament in such intensive perception.

Immersed in an elusive contemplation I can hear the calm, bright water of the Atlantic reaching the shores blending with the bird’s silhouette singing sweet melodies; escaping the noise of the bridges that connect the Intracoastal and the Atlantic.

Overlooking the ocean’s waves dancing in slow motion from a hammock hanging among the palm trees, a sudden fresh air of the salty water invade the surrounds entering my nostrils in a smooth and refreshing way. The beauty of this image left me speechless, flouting out into nature.

Whether you’re enjoying a pleasant, calm environment or a less peaceful one; the mysteries life can bring most of the time sudden the conflicts and offers just enough inspiration to escape from the ordinary to an amazing experience.

The phone rings, breaking the silence. I glance at it hopping will stop .Wishing I could go back in time and had my phone turned off. Trapped with the needs of everyday life I go ahead. The moment I touch the screen, the birds singing echoes distant and a new connection begins in a forgotten corner of my window waiting for another inspiring fresh feeling, another day.

The Time Machine by Jade da Rocha

As I am sitting here, in front of my computer with all this technology around, makes me wonder how far I am in the future and how life has changed since then. Who could ever imagine, that we were going to live in a planet that, after all the waste we have created, we would be fascinated in getting involved in so many ways in philanthropic organizations to save our habitat. Some are directly involved on those groups; others are participating online, since it is a big number of non-profit organizations and causes out there that was unknown and with the Internet, they are having a huge impact on our society. I have chosen to take this opportunity to go back in time and experience those moments all over again, moments that are reflecting on my daily decisions and at the same time, a feeling that was long gone.

            It brought me back in time when I was a 9 year old girl, living with my family, in the South West part of Brazil. I remember spending most of my time in the country with-out electricity and needlessness to say, no television or telephone. The only form of communication with the world was a battery operated radio with one station only that sometimes did not have a good reception or no reception at all.

            In the morning, I attended a local school. I remember spending most of my afternoons, sitting at the roots of an old key lime tree planted in socked clay with my little sister. As we tasted all the lemons we could, or climbing barefoot the coconut tree to get some coconut's to drink the milk and eat the inside. I have so many scars on my knees for trying to open the coconuts with a big knife and accidentally, hit myself. Other seasons, we would be climbing on mango, guava, avocado trees and many other trees. As we run to the back of the house, to a river nearby; showering and playing with water for hours until my mom's voice echoed like a siren to go back inside the house.

           One of the greatest experiences was to drink the water from a "mina". The meaning of mina is "water from a mine", a round hole made of white clay in an about 1 meter deep font of pristine water next to a river, built by nature. We were so aware to protect the "mina" with a wooden cover after we tasted the flavor of pure water, to keep the rodents and leaves to reach the water, so the neighbors or travelers from all over the world could experience this phenomenon.

           Other days we could be found on the country road, horseback riding as if we owned the road. As I find myself running freely far from the car motors of the big cities. Just the clapping of the horses, marching in the same motion like guardians and we trusted them as you trusts a best friend. After, we were at the stables, feeding and brushing they long, shiny mane. We could live right there, in the barn with a milder smell of manure. After all, those horses were our favorite toy and as I mentioned; best friend.

           Most of the Sundays, my mom packed enough delicious home made food for a picnic for the entire family and guests. And we spent the day eating, swimming under the waterfall and running around. Some played cards and my father was definitely fishing. At the end of the day we were so tired. But, everyone had an expression of happiness on their face.

           Going back in time brings me so many exciting, happy moments. It was one of the best times of my life. Today, I have a special bond with horses because of the reflection of those unforgettable moments. I am so thankful to God to have sent me here in a time that I was able to live in a time that seems so far away, and having a chance to learn and live today, all this tremendous sophistication and technology at the palm of my hands.

-Jade Da Rocha 

Life quote -Jade da Rocha

In my life, when I long for a desire
and it is restricted and endangered its existence,
I lay down a principle, creating a paradox
and from that moment on,
It's an instrument of the universe.
The parallel is exact.

Merry Christmas -Jade da Rocha

http://www.jadereflections.com/Merry_Christmas.htm

What do you think can be done to reduce the number of girls and women in Western culture that develop eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia nervosa? -Jade da Rocha

In my opinion the change have to start at home. With the busy schedule it is easier to eat junk food, with the stress and pressure of the world eating is just to keep you going. I also think the government can play an important role with the messages the media brainwash the youngsters and the most important to reduce the amount of narcotics and painkillers prescribed by Doctors that can easily turn into an addiction. Living on the edge can be deadly.