Some of you know that I am a Worship Associate for UUCMP, my Church I presented the following Reflections on March 2, 2025 The theme of this month is Trust.  The words of today are Consistent, Available, and Reliable. People who are consistent are trusted. They can be depended on by others because of the quality of their work, or because they behave or perform in a similar way always. Whether it is by being

For the past five years I have lived at the Forest Grove Condominiums in Pacific Grove. The moment I drive into my complex I feel totally relaxed – my smile brightens up my face and I am transported into a green, attractive space.  The gardening crew keeps the landscape as beautiful as a lovely park.  Some of the trees are the height of a 3 story building.  Additionally we have evergreens and oaks with moss

The Carmel Pine Cone – January 10, Page 22A

In prior posts I have told you that I am a Worship Associate at my Church, the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula.  As a WA, I speak from the pulpit about 3-4 times per year.  Below a reflection on the theme of “Repair”, as in recover from a loss or a hurt. Reflection – UUCMP – 11/17/24 – Celia Barberena I will speak about the loss of a loved one after one heals

Roger Dahl Compassionate Education Series: Immigrants – Our Life Stories Worldwide, the United States is home to more immigrants than any other country—more than the next four nations combined. Over 11 million immigrants reside in California alone. In this three part series, we’ll explore the multi-faceted reasons behind immigration to our homeland. We’ll have the opportunity to engage with six immigrants who will share their life stories, delving into the factors that influenced their decision

Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula In my web page I have included an article that CNN wrote about my passion for volunteering at various local organizations.  Right now I am a member of the Board of Directors of the Pacific Grove Library Friends and Foundation Board, the Local Rotary Club, the Blind and Visually Impaired Center and the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula (UU). As a UU, I am also a

On behalf of the University of Findlay Alumni Association, congratulations on being selected as a 2024 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

This award is presented to members of the Alumni Association who, by their example, have exhibited the highest standards of individual achievement in professional and personal endeavors; who have demonstrated loyalty and support of this institution, and who, through dedicated service, have contributed to the advancement of all humanity.

Parent Issue: Ann Arbor News, April 6, 1980 “Celia, working at University of Michigan, to support minority student retention and success”.

Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech, inspires us even 60 years later.  It certainly continues to inspire me and many others. He said: “It is a dream…deeply rooted in the American dream… that all men are created equal.”  How is this manifested? Well, we have equality when we are free from discrimination, when we worship as we choose, when we vote freely, when we have the protections of due process and the

This is the time to evaluate our lives and make plans for the future. The past is gone and is not coming back. This is a good time to start looking at where we want to go and delineate how we are going to get there.  This is the time to make New Year’s resolutions! Celia is developing her plan More often than not, we may decide that there are changes that need to be

I am calling this a “reflection” in the sense of being in front of a mirror. This mirror is reflecting to you the mystery of how Christmas was celebrated in my household when I was a child.

My dear Ned passed away last year and this will be my second Holiday Season without him, without his love and support.  I can’t say it’s been easy, rather it’s been rocky, with twists and turns, with ups and downs.

I am a recent widow. It’s been a year and four months since Ned, my beloved husband, passed away. That means that counting on the love of a man with whom I spent 35 years of my life is forever gone.  You could say that we had worked out the kinks in our relationship – something that can only done with time spent together.

I am used to speaking about “we” as in Ned and me.  It’s a custom that goes back several decades.  So, “we”, Ned’s spirit wherever it may be, and I thank you very much for being here today. When Ned and I got married, I was 38 years old and he was 53.  We knew who we were and what our life paths were to be, then and in the future.  He knew that what

My husband says that there are more rocking chairs in Nicaragua, than people, a most necessary piece of furniture in a country with two types of weather – hot and hotter. Their open backs made of wicker or wooden slats allow the heat to escape the body; the swaying movement as you rock circulates the air around you, making a bit of a breeze. What a relief! After the sun sets, which happens at more

My mother came to Findlay from Los Angeles for my graduation.  She looked so pretty with her hair styled up.  She wore a very nice navy blue suit and gloves, dressed beautifully because this was a very proud day for her.  So many hopes and dreams postponed by her who wanted to go to college and have a career were now passed on to me to realize. When I selected a major in Economics, I

As I had shared in prior Blogs, 1966 was a momentous year for me and the turn to a new life in the United States.  My mother and I arrived in Pittsburgh for my week long training in American culture at Chatham College attended by about 50 students from all over the world. The cost of the program was $300.  At that time, this was a lot of money, but I was provided a scholarship

To help me during recovery, I hired a health aid, Rosa, recommended to me by a Sutter Healthcare social worker that was providing services to my husband.   She was quite a good find.  I recommend to everyone to make sure that they have the necessary support at home to let go of all the responsibilities of managing a household and even taking care of themselves and delegate that responsibility to a well-trained person with a

By now you know that I am a senior citizen.  While I have reminisced about my childhood in Nicaragua, the intentional parenting of which I was the beneficiary and my college days, today I will share with you my experiences getting old. It is a joy to think that the preparation and hard work of my younger years, and the continuity in ever increasing responsibility and income that came later, allows me to live comfortably

Mother and Mrs. Magoon When mother and I arrived in Findlay, I was only 18.  My main concerns were learning from my studies as well as from experiencing a different culture and a foreign environment.  So many things were new and interesting: living in a dorm with English speaking friends; learning how to shop for winter clothes; budgeting my time so that I had time for classes, studying and socializing.  The most appealing part of

Welcoming tea by Findlay community You have read in prior blogs that I was enrolled in a 2 week acculturation program for foreign students at Chatham College in Pittsburgh. When that was over, mother and I left for Findlay. What an adventure it all was. I believe that we flew from Pittsburgh to Toledo to get to Findlay, but, frankly, I don’t quite remember if we took a bus instead. Our Dean of Students knew

April 14, 1914 – August 5, 1997 In Spanish speaking countries, our full, legal names include both of our parents’ surnames – the father’s lineage comes first and it is the most important one.  In my father’s case, that would be Barberena as he was the son of Juan Barberena.  Perez comes from his mother’s lineage.  His complete name, therefore, is Alejandro Barberena Perez.  He held the degree of Doctor in Jurisprudence, so he was

In Nicaragua, people tell stories to each other while rocking in the ever present rocking chairs.  This is our way of expressing ourselves, making connections and entertaining visitors.  So, I’ll proceed to tell you a story about my formal schooling which started at an early age.  At the age of 3, I started noticing that children older than me would walk by our house on their way to a pre-school down the street at the

Neighbors would tell my mother to be careful with her in-laws as they were a difficult clan to contend with.  Mother already knew. Now that I have been married for 35 years, I know that in-laws can make your life sweeter or treacherous. I also know that marriage requires work even in the best of circumstances. My friend Rose is very caring of her family, even distant relatives.  I am amazed that she sometimes drives

I have written how my mother lost her parents at an early age. She also died young.  As I examine her life, she learned from the struggle of living through the challenging hand that was dealt to her. Following me, she immigrated to the United States and settled in Los Angeles where she had friends who helped her get a job at a factory making dresses.  In Nicaragua, she had someone make dresses for her.