Man, it is so good to be back home on familiar turf once again, surrounded by love, friends, familia, and familiar surroundings!

I am back home here in beautiful Puerto Rico, which is my homeland.  There ain't nothing like wall-to-wall sunshine, palm trees, warm, ocean-scented breezes, or crystal-clear blue-green waters to stir the soul! 

Mi familia, they were so happy to see me walking off that plane they all cried!  I cried too when I saw my mami, papi, Abuelo, Abuela, y mis hermanos y hermanas again!  Even mis vatos, mi compadres, came and saw me return home.  It was a joyous celebracion, full of tears and laughter!  Ai yi yi, it was wonderful!!

I am walking on my crutches but it will be very soon when I don't use 'em any more.  My walking has become sure and steady; don't fall nearly as much as I did when I first got my legs.  I will be so glad when I can ditch the crutches; the crutches are nothing but a huge pain in my butt!!

This is your friend, Jesus Cristofer Ventenilla, writing.  I am sorry for not writing, but I had to continue with the rehab and now that this is history, I can get back to my life.  I plan on playing futball and beisbol once again.  Just 'cause I don't have any legs doesn't mean that I can no longer do the things I once loved prior to losing my legs.  People don't know my competitive spirit or my determination: once Jesus C. Ventenilla decides he's gonna do something, there ain't no stoppin' him!  No, siree!!

I may be slow at first, but with God's grace, I WILL succeed in regaining my life again!!  

I just hope I can get through the bad memories of the bombing, the pain, the thought that I would never have my legs again .... I still sometimes have nightmares, but being home with mi familia y mis vaatos, have helped tremendously, as has my faith in Jesus, who is the Only One who can be credited with gettin' me this far.  I may no longer be the same, but I refuse to let my situation bog me down any longer!  I am tired of being depressed or feeling sorry for myself:  that AIN'T me!!

I will keep in touch, to let y'all know how I am faring.  It will be a happy day when I ditch my crutches once and for all!  'Cause when I do, there ain't NO stopping me in achieving my dreams or goals in life!!

~Jesus.  :)

~To be continued.~