What I feared has come to my doorstep.

You would think that if I haven't posted for almost two years that I have forgotten about Brazil, when in fact the truth is the exact opposite.  I've come to understand how people survive under a completely corrupt government run specifically for the rich.  The 46th President of the United States have given me a rude awakening, and newer understanding of how people survive when all promises of the constantly broken.  The improvements in tax reform, bank reform, gun control, human rights, women's rights, health insurance and racial equality are all being destroyed.  And I've discovered, the difference between holding out the possibility that your government has your best interest at heart, and constantly holding your breath to see how your future can be snatched away from you one step at a time.  United States, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Cape Town, Egypt, and Brazil...the list goes on and on of places, that have abusive governments that seem to have no limit to how underrepresented cultures, and poor people in general are held back.

I was very naive and hoped that the infusion of billions of dollars into the "poor" Brazilians lives would improve things for everybody.  Now living in the "poor" American reality, where the lives of underrepresented people of every race and color are constantly in mortal, and financial danger because of the ignorance of the people in power.

Refocusing, and taking a closer look at what's important to you and your family have become  paramount in my life, and the lives of my friends in Brazil, specifically Rio, who are part of my family, and deep in my heart.  The communites/favelas that were close to my heart, both Rocinha and Vidigal, are no longer places of opportunity and growth, but weird mixes of economic war zones, and gentrification.  I wasn't the brave guerrilla videographer that would run through the protest zones and take live shots, but as observer and witness to them as a spectator, I feel that I've been live theatre.  The Police are used to control, the economic future of the favelas, creating fear, and motivating some poor people to move further out and others to become fierce entrepreneurs.

Three things have matured my point of view...a life changing health event in mother's life; a employment hiccup in my son's life, and the birth of my Goddaughter in Rio, "Princess" Isabela, have made me take a look at how you mitigate the risk when the only thing you can depend on is yourself, and your immediate family.

What I know for sure....

I know that I haven't posted in over two years and that is mostly because my Mom has been bedridden for this time and in and out of hospitals for even longer.  During this time I have still visited Brazil two or three times each year.  Another large reason that I have not posted in the stupidity and drama surrounding what was once a very respected government.

I have traveled the world and I have observed how much of a joke America has become to the world, and I have kept my head down, and been silent.  I MUST now comment that the puppet who is controlling my country should be scared that if he gets what he wants he will create a vacuum which would allow his puppet masters to walk even more directly into our front door.

This is how the tables have turned.  I used to say poor Brazil, I can't wait until the money for the World Cup and the Olympics trickles down to the people; I was naive and ignorant.  Now I say poor America, and if not for my sick loved ones I would be moving to the small and precious town of Saquarema in Brazil.

One close friend of mine said to me over Christmas, "you live in my heart".  Their special way of expressing love is just one of the things that I love about many of the wonderful people I have met in Brazil (you know who you are!).