FIREPLACE REVISITED

This will be another busy week for Maria. Wednesday she has an appointment with Felix for a brace fitting, and Saturday, we are bringing the San Rafael youth group down to visit with her. Our first stop Saturday will be at San Ignacio Loyola Church.Frs.Bruno and Jesse will put the group to work for several hours. The kids always enjoy their trips to Tijuana and eagerly do any tasks that are put to them. During the lunchtime break, as in the past, they will seek out the neighborhood stores for special local treats. Lacking inhibitions and prejudices to any great extent, these young adults always get along very well in the Mexican atmosphere. After lunch we will walk over to Maria’s house; four blocks away. I will talk to her Wednesday to make sure she will not be embarrassed by the visit. She is so proud and her room is a very sad place. Nevertheless, it will be good for the kids to see how she manages. I say her room is sad, because of the physical aspects.

Yet, within those walls, there is much friendliness and a strong sense of hope. Everyone is happy; three birds, one cat, two children, and most of all, Maria herself. Every time we leave #35, Marge and I wonder how she can manage. We have seen the bruises caused by her many falls. She never wavers. Now, more than ever, she is full of anticipation; she is saving for her lot, her very own piece of land. We are determined that Maria will have her lot and a real house with rooms!

I mentioned to Marie C., the youth leader, about a fundraiser for Maria M. The group has had several in the past and always does well. Marie sounds optimistic about the idea.

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We plan on taking Maria back to Seaport Village after the appointment with Felix. We well remember the fireplace and the umbrella on the hearth. At that time we will give Maria her “mail”. Uncle John sent her $25. What a benefactor he has been! Jane, our neighbor sent along with $10 with the new cushion. Pat and John S., sent her $25 also. Maria’s lot fund is growing. Pat and John met Maria a year or so ago on our way back from visiting Patricia Chavez. A fleeting hello as we passed through the border. Each remembered the other. They enjoy meeting our friends to the south and have been very generous over the years.

The car will be full again tomorrow; clothing to sell and fruits and vegetables for the family. We will have much to chat about; the land, her boys, [both passed in school], the Saturday visit, her braces. There is never a lull in the conversation.

We’ll see you at noon, Maria.

As usual, Maria was waiting when we arrived at her room. She is always on time for her trips to the US. We had a car full of clothes and vegetables so the boys helped unload. Maria commented that she was doing well selling each weekend. Sunday she made $10. That is enough for her water and electricity for one month.” I now have $200 toward my lot. Dona Emilia is keeping the money for me. Is that good?” Marge and I fell over ourselves congratulating her. We still do not know how much her land will cost but she is doing her share with great enthusiasm. Marge gave her another bottle of the now-famous salad dressing. Hide it from the boys. Emelia has tasted it and loves it also. Maria always shares with her dear friend whatever we bring down.” Maria, you have so little yet you share with others.” She had no reply. Marge gave Maria the translated recipe for her dressing. As Manuel was bringing her chair out to the car, I was busy getting out her new cushion. When I turned to the chair it looked different; it was different! It was new or newer than her old one. A smaller model and in very 49

good condition.Maria, what happened? “Last Sunday a Mexican American couple met me at the border and gave me the chair. They had traveled there three times before we finally met. Each visit they would ask the nuns where I was. [The nuns are the ladies who solicit funds for the poor. They always dress in white.] This chair is much stronger and better “. And the old chair, my friend? “ I gave it to Dona Emelia, her eyes are bad and she uses it inside her house “ Is there a lesson here? The poor giving to the poor? She gave the boys their instructions and we were off to the border.

On this trip, we were not so fortunate. A one-hour wait at INS. Those people are so rude and uncaring about us and any of the others going through their routine. As I have mentioned before, on each trip to INS we are met with different rules. I’m sure that is their plan. Discourage ,discourage ,discourage!

Felix was waiting, he understands. His past is slightly checkered. He found religion and turned his life around. What great work he does for the handicapped! Maria saw the shoes for the first time.” Oh, they are so beautiful, black, with a strap, and, ‘muy femenino’. “ Felix told her that Magie gave instructions that her shoes be feminine. It was a tough project for Felix, most orthopedic shoes are not very pretty. “When I receive my new braces I will be as tall as Magie.”

I do not think she will but it is a fun subject for them to discuss. Felix said that next week we all will go down to Marla’s house and he will put the braces on Maria. After that, another appointment will be needed at the clinic with Felix and the $100 man, Dr.Foster.

This appointment was a quick one and off we went to Seaport Village. The heat at Otay had changed to a cool breeze downtown. We took Broadway and Maria got a good view of the tall buildings in beautiful San Diego. She was duly impressed. Do you see that tall hotel building? When Cuca saw it she said she would never stay there.” It is so tall and I would be frightened of earthquakes”. 50

We assured her that these buildings are very safe. Jolly Roger’s fireplace and porcelain umbrella were waiting. The room was not officially open but they accommodated us very well. We chatted and dined alone. It was like we had reserved the room for a private party. Maria held the menu and pretended to read from the list of foods. This is a “menu”, una “Carta” friend, what would you like to order. “I cannot read the words, I will let you decide for me.” The chicken sandwich with tomato and avocado and a side order of fruit sounded good. Fresh fruit is such a treat for Maria. All of our friends in Tijuana love fruit. Fruits are very expensive in Mexico. Consequently, they experience only the most common fruits. Bananas, apples, oranges. Marge brought blueberries this week. The boys and their mother had no idea what they were. “Uvas?” [grapes], no; “Pasas?” [raisins] no. Try them. What a delight!

We chatted and sipped wine while waiting for our lunch. Try the wine, Maria. Just a taste.” Oh, it is very strong for - me. I will just drink my water.” We have mail for you, Maria. Open up your letters. She came close to tears when she saw that the envelopes contained money from Uncle John, Pat, and John, and Jane, our neighbor who also donated the wheelchair cushion. “This is wonderful. I now have $260 toward my lot! I will write my friends thank you notes.” Maria understands our custom and is adopting it easily.

“Last week I met Fr. Bruno at the border. Does he have a green car, right? We talked about you and Magie and what good friends we are. He is a fine man and has been very nice to our family.”

Would you like to spend the night at our house after your next appointment?” Yes, very much so. Rancho Bernardo is so beautiful. When I get to my house I want you and Magie to visit me and spend the night. Ok?” Yes, my friend, as Marge looked doubtful. Eat slowly and enjoy the lunch. We all did. One of the waiters heard Maria speaking and spoke to her. He is from Tecate, a pretty little town just east of Tijuana. They had a nice chat. Her 51

presence is gravitating. As we were leaving the restaurant, finally, the receptionist joked with us that she was going to send in a lamp for our table.

Again it was a beautiful day so we strolled along the seawall. Maria was impressed with the number of people in the Village. We were also. “There are many tourists at this place, and I hear Spanish also.” Yes, tourists come from all over the world; many from Mexico also. We stopped and watched an artist balancing rocks near the beach. Quite an art. A young man was playing his violin, beautifully.

Marge chatted with him while Maria and I were entranced by the rock balancer. I asked Maria again how she felt about the youth group visiting at her house. “I will not be embarrassed. When you and Magie first came to my room I was very ashamed. You and Magie have helped me in that way.” I told Maria that it was very important for these young people to see her room and meet her boys. Rancho Bernardo is a world apart from #35 Guillermo Prieto. After eight years I still thank God for our blessings here.

Reluctantly our visit was drawing to a close. We may have only one or two more on this side of the border. Marge and I try to make every minute special for Maria. “Where are you now, David?” Chula Vista. “Soon we will come to your Otay, and then my Mesa Otay.” Yes, but we will see you Saturday with the youth. As usual, she waited in front of her door, waved, and threw kisses as we left. I suppose Emilia got a full account of the day in addition to another deposit. $260. Isn’t that remarkable?

Last evening, Thursday, Marge and I went over to the church and talked with Marie and her group. Eight or ten will be making the trip. It is very difficult for us to talk about Maria. It is a very emotional subject for us. Even after all these months and visits with her, our tears are close to the surface whenever we talk about Maria. It is good that we are getting her story on paper. Mike, now 52

out of college, and still active in the group, is gaining along. Eight years ago he was on my first trip down. A few speak Spanish. Great! I am hard-pressed in that area. Maria often asks me if I understand something she is telling me. Usually, my face gives her the answer. Then she modifies her conversation accordingly. Remember, Maria has no formal education. At first, our friends would never correct my Spanish. As we became closer, and at my urging, they will now tell me. Sometimes it becomes a joke, with them. Then I laugh and ask how much English they know.

It should be a fun day tomorrow.

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