OLD FRIENDS

Yesterday, September 13, after an absence of several months, Marge and I made our way south to Mariano Matamoros. Some things never change there; the heat, the dust, the total clamor of people, cars, taxis, buses, and on and on. In the US, Saturdays are usually non-work days. In this sprawling valley community, everything is running at a weekday pace. To further complicate matters, the city is finally extending the paved road from Bulevar. Insurgentes to Mothe Theresa’s church. After all these years, a real road that will soon be a divided highway! We almost welcomed the dust and delays. As we approached the church our delight was cruelly ended; the paved road stopped. The last one mile to the Jimmy Carter project was the usual dust, holes, ruts, and whatever else could slow our progress. I do not think the paving will reach our friends’ communities before the winter rains. Several years ago, on a rather foolish endeavor, I drove to Mariano after a bad rain. As I approached the summit of the last hill before the community, the road ahead was a virtual sea of mud. Turn around 500 yards short or? Inertia made the decision for me. I literally slid down the hill sideways. As I made my way to Christina’s house, I thought, “next time bring your boots. “By late afternoon the warm winds had dried up that muddy hill and I was able to return to San Diego.

Maria Jesus, her daughter Claudia, and grandson, Luis Alonzo, were on their way toward the “curva” or curve as everyone calls it. This is the large bend in the highway at Mother Theresa’s church. This is the spot where the public buses pass. They will not venture as far as the Carter project. Only, the private taxis and jitneys. Anyway, they greeted us with waves, smiles, and threw kisses. 73

What a welcome! God, we love these people! Our reception at Elva’s house was similar. Malena and Raul are growing so quickly. Almost babies when we first met. Raul is so proud that he is starting fifth grade this year. He is not yes 11 years old. He is the last hope for the family. None have advanced beyond the sixth grade. Mother had little or no schooling. She fails to realize the importance. Karina, the brightest of them all, failed to finish seventh grade. Once the idea of gaining knowledge clicks in the family, it surely will be carried on to the next generation.

A certain friend has helped Elva for several years in keeping Raul in school. Though she can afford the expense of sending the last one, this aid sends the message to Elva that she had better see to it that he goes. He does and he likes school.

Just down the street, we stopped to see Prisciliana. We have talked about this fine lady before. No formal schooling abandoned by her husband, raising six kids, this is not a soap opera. This is real-life and not too uncommon on both sides of the border. Prisciliana taught herself to read and write. Her kids all went to school and all are literate. This exemplifies my statement that the idea of education must catch on in the family. We chatted in a very quiet atmosphere. All the kids were out, working, shopping, and playing. Prisciliana’s house is a meeting place for the kids and their friends. This is a good sign. We inquire about each of her children; Pollo and his new Bride, Gladis are fine. Cesar, Laura, and baby Cesar are all good. David, we share the same birthday, recently broke his leg in two places. The cast has been removed but he still walks with a slight limp. His next and the last doctor’s visit will be in October. When he reaches his 16 birthday in November, her medical insurance will no longer cover him. We will see if he improves. If not, our friends at Shiners will gladly see him. Nancy, the #2 daughter was a patient of Shiner’s a few years back. Her foot problems were not serious and she has grown tall and straight and 74

beautiful. Wisely she has dropped her boyfriend, Miguel. A nice enough young man, but extremely jealous of her each move. Nancy and her mother have been visitors to our RB hotel. She and her older sister, Irma, are great and often go out together. Irma also is in no hurry to be married or involved in a serious relationship. This is to the regret of her friend, Alex. A very personable young man, born in Mexico, he has spent most of his life in Santa Ana, CA. Because he has relatives living across from Irma’s house, he has an excuse to visit the area often. He truly likes her, but she is firm; no serious relationship. Yet! I mentioned to him that he was thinner since we last saw him. He replied that he was wasting away for the love of Irma. Comedian! Heydi came in while we were visiting. She is the youngest at age 10. Very shy and quiet, she is growing to look more and more like Nancy. I have joked with her for years about not having a tongue. Marge hugs her until explodes she with laughter Heydi was only 3 when her father left the family.

Prisciliana took us out to the rear of the house. She has been planning a room addition for many months. Cesar, wife, and baby life there along with Pollo and Gladis. How many people are living in that little 2 bedroom house? Minie, the cat was out back, resting in the shade. Not expecting a change. Daisy, the dog, was out front with four of her nine puppies. Peche, (the name Prisciliana likes and her friends use), showed us the block, cement, and gravel; materials that will make up much of the room addition. With all those paychecks in the house, it still takes forever to do projects. Those checks mostly amount to $40-$50 each week. We left our good friend with the understanding that when she has a vise renewed, we will have her up to our home. “Be sure to call and let us know about David.”

Our next stop was to see Christina, another long-time friend, and frequent visitor to our home. Christina, the young greatgrandmother, works long hard hours and is continually upgrading 75

her home. Our last visit she was having the living room/eating area tiled. How different, it was being installed on the diagonal; just like our tile floors. “ David, I liked yours so much that I am doing mine the same. Is that ok. “This trip, the kitchen is being done. She told the maestro that I did my house that style. He doesn’t want to hard he said. It looks fine and I praised time on his work. Christina understands why we have not visited sooner and she tells our other friends not to worry, “David and Magie have been very busy. “She is losing her English again by not going to school. It is very hard for her after long hours in the factory. She often turns to Marge and speaks to her in Spanish. “Christine speak English, please! “She expects to work a few more years while fixing her house up as much as possible. Then retire and do work of some sort out of her home. Mario, her son-in-law came over shortly and renewed her friendship with him. I think I mentioned some time back that Mario’s daughter, Berenice, has just finished her master’s in chemistry and biology at the university while his son, Cesar, has but 2 years left to become a doctor. Monserrat will be finishing this year. Christopher is in high school and lastly, Danny will begin kindergarten, next fall. Another example of catching on to knowledge. Mario and his wife, Lulu are parents to Emulate. They know their hard work and sacrifices will pay off for their kids and for all of Mexico.

As we walked to Mario’s house, he told us about his new project. What a surprise, ceramic tile floors throughout! I think he and Christina feed off each other’s ambitions. Eash has added another bedroom and remodeled their kitchen. Each tiled the walls in the bedroom. Their homes are like gas stations on opposite street corners; healthy competition. Also, Mario had obtained some free wood-paneling and made a beautiful bar in the corner of their eating area. Lulu was at work and Mario was preparing to leave for work. Those two will sacrifice themselves completely for their 76

children. We left this family with the promise to Christine that she will be invited to RB this fall.

Our next stop was to visit Karina, her aunt, grandmother, and cousins. Karina has been living with grandma for several years and appears to fit in well with the rules and duties all into the Saturday at that house. Even though they all were into the Saturday schedule of washing and cleaning, we were welcomed enthusiastically. Marge and I were very hungry at this hour and I told Karina we were going over to the market and buy beer and chips. “Oh, no, no, we have mole and I am about to make rice. Please, stay and eat with us. “We had no argument to give to Karina. Aunt Carolina was heating the mole and Karina started the rice. We bought beer and chips anyway, and we shared around while the meal was getting ready.

The word “mole” has a magic effect on us. We cannot refuse a meal of this type. Cuca’s mole is the bast. Her sister Gloria makes great mole. Patricia’s mole is good. Carolinas was great. There is red mole, brown mole, and black mole, my favorite, made with chocolate. Mole with chicken or pork or beef. Needless to say, it was a wonderful lunch. Cousin Linda was not home and I kept saying, “I’m sorry Linda, we are eating your dinner”. Carolina assured me that Linda would eat in town. We all had lots of fun conversations and Karina at age 20, has become more personable and less shy. When she used to come to our house six years ago after Shriner’s appointments, she hardly spoke at all. Her crippled leg has kept her from mixing with her peers. She walks with a limp, always will, but the crutches are gone, forever, we pray! She had a great piece of news for us. During the daytime, she removes the braces and walks without them. Only at home and not doing heavy work. Karina was our first Shiner kid. She is very special. We both hugged her and embraced and told her that we love her. I have one of her crutches at home, signed and hanging where I see it often.

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Even though we had interrupted their schedule, Carolina and the rest thanked us for coming. It was a visit long overdue. Perhaps we put a little pleasant diversion into their day; we were well rewarded.

The trip would not be complete without, “hola David, hola Magie, I was not expecting you. It has been very hot?” Yes, none other than Maria. “I returned from the line at 3:00 today. It was very hot and there were few cars. I made very little.” I did not ask how much. We brought a bag of children’s clothes. These are always hot items for selling. Remember, my friend, Tuesday is a holiday in Mexico. Put your things out front. Everyone will be home from work. Sept. 16, is Independence Day in Mexico. “Please come into my room and we will chat. “Yes, for a few minutes. I told her that we had not heard from Joe Guth yet. She was not worried. When the braces are ready they will be ready. Maria, remember Jaime from RB? He and his dentist and an important lawyer, also from Mexico, want to come and see you and your lot. They read some of your stories and are very interested in helping you. Marge and I have taken the first two pages of Maria’s story together with an update and reprinted them. These we are using to solicit help for Maria to buy her a lot and build a house for the three. I have told her before that we are writing her story. Marge is the editor/ proofreader/critic and all the rest that is needed to do this story. Maria is very pleased to be the subject of a story on her life. She is easy to write about. The pages just fly by. I wish that she could read these pages; it would be a monumental project to translate.

We will be coming to your house on Wednesday, at 9:oo am. I realize it is early for you. “It is ok, David, I will be ready.” This will be our first input from this side of the border. We need the help of Mexicans, desperately!

The boys were acting up, being silly, and testing their mother’s patience. Marge raised her voice to them and they stopped short. 78

Maria laughed and threatened each with a swat. Naturally, they act out when there is someone else in the area. The birds were silent. They sensed that the lady of the house was slightly angry.

Times up, we must go. “Til Wednesday, take care, and please do not fall. The hugs and the kisses came from all sides. She hates to let go of Marge. What a strong bond has been forged between the two.

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