THE LONG WAIT ENDS

Maria, ever more patient than Marge and I, received her new braces on Tuesday, 25 August, exactly 16 months after her first appointment at St. Vincent dePaul. Over those many months, we have been frantic with worry over Maria’s situation. The old braces had deteriorated so much that she was in constant peril of falling. Again and again, she told us not to worry. How could we not? Carlos and Pablo did a fine job in making strong, light braces that will last Maria many years. Since our first meeting with the two at the La Mesa shoestore in May, we have had several appointments for measuring, fittings, and discussions on the merits of plastic versus metal. The first braces were plastic, but Maria was not happy with them; too tight, too hot, and she lacked confidence in the plastic. Carlos made nothing of this and said he would gladly make the metal ones. Pablo is just learning the orthotist business, and we met at his shop which is not far from Maria’s room. Did I mention before that Pablo was a victim of polio and he wears a large metal leg brace? His lovely wife Alicia, a polio victim herself, wears a leg brace. Their seven-yearold daughter, Yareli, often feels slighted because she does not have a leg brace to wear. Her parents explain to her that the illnesses attacked their legs but she has strong healthy legs. Thank God for the polio vaccine! Maria was waiting for us when we reached her room on Tuesday. Our appointment was for 6:30, and so we had plenty of time for our surprise.” Are we going to the park again today? I have bought you and Magie some beer and chips.” Oh no my friend, we are going to Sanborns for a light lunch. Maria was visibly excited about this news. Sometimes Marge and I kid about Maria being like Liza Doolittle, of My Fair Lady. So much about her 176

has changed since we first met over two years ago. Nevertheless, her wrought iron character and values have not budged an inch, nor will they.

As we studied the menu Maria remarked that her stomach had given her problems the night before.”I made the boys beans and chiles for their main meal, (lunchtime), and I just had to have a little taste. Oh, I suffered last night with pain in my stomach.” Marge and I scolded her in a loving way and reminded her that she is not to eat “ frijoles” and “chiles” at all. “I know, but they tasted so good.” In light of her problems the night before, Maria ordered the chicken soup with white rice while Marge and I had the quesadillas with sour cream and shredded lettuce. Sanborns used to be Dennys in Tijuana. Their food is in the same quality range as Cocos and Dennys here in SD.

The restaurant was not crowded and we were shown to a table with a view of the airport and a soccer field. Maria’s sigh of pleasure was noticeable and we understood completely that this was to be a very happy day for her; and for us! Marge and I sipped on our beers and snacked on taco chips while Maria had her coke. “May I have a chip, David?” Yes, but only one, remember your stomach. “Do you see that soccer field, that is where Manuel plays each Saturday? He walks there from our room early in the morning to practice.” Quite a walk for him, a good two miles each way.

As the temperature hovered near 100 degrees, we ate in a quiet, comfortably air-conditioned room, a world apart from her ovenlike room. The little fan we brought to her a few weeks back only serves to move the hot air around. To Maria and the boys, it is a gift from heaven. The food was good and Maria finished all of her soup. Understandably, she was very hungry. Maria, what about your efforts to obtain the lot, Marge asked. “ I have talked with the governor’s secretary and he told me to call this week to obtain an appointment to see him; Senor Osuna Millan is his name. When 177

I do get to see him I will bring my boys and all my tax papers and the like. The secretary told me that the governor has helped many people obtain their land.” This method may be more helpful than our depending on the dentist and his lawyer friends. We faxed copies of Maria’s papers to this “ lawyer “ ten days ago and still no response. When I saw his name I lost any optimism that may have seeped into our hopes of assistance from these people. Gabriel Preciado. He and the dentist came to Maria’s room over one year ago and after talking with her at length, promised her their help. So much for these two! They will be entered into the same category as the three orthotists. There must be a name for this group but I cannot reach it now and if I could, no doubt it would be unprintable. There is a phrase in Spanish that fits these types of people. “Dichos pero no hechos” – words but no deeds.

It is six o’clock already, we must leave for Pablo’s shop.

Carlos and Pablo had not arrived yet but Alicia and Yareli welcomed us enthusiastically. Only our second meeting with them but they seem like old friends. Alicia even introduced us to other shopkeepers in the area. Yareli had just finished her first day of school and she was excited about her busy day. At age seven she has no trouble reading and writing. A common feat in the US but still somewhat rare in Mexico. The two men pulled up short. They had been in San Diego today, finishing Maria’s braces. And finished they were; strong, light-weight, and fitting her legs perfectly! If such things could be beautiful, these braces were just that. Maria was very tentative as she hopped off Pablo’s table. Carlos cautioned her to walk slowly and carefully until she became used to these new braces.” Look, Magie, I am almost as tall as you. I have grown over two centimeters.” (about an inch). All these many months Maria had joked with Marge that someday the two would be equal in height.

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Though Maria is a few inches shy of five feet, in our eyes she has always been tall; from the time we first met at the border, to our first luncheon invitation to her room, to this day when she dragged her crippled legs across Pablo’s shop. “The braces feel very good. I will be careful walking until I am used to them.”

Before we left Matamoros Norte Marge mentioned to Carlos about an appointment for Maria in October in San Diego. In that way, we would be able to celebrate her birthday. He had no opposition to the idea and we will call him for the date. At the moment it looks like 10 October and that date will coincide with Meg and Dak’s visit. They have not yet met Maria.

It was nearly dark when we arrived back at #35 and the boys were anxious to see their mother and her new braces. It was a slow and tentative walk from the car to her room; less than twenty feet but a struggle. As we hugged her and said our goodbyes, Maria repeated her plea that we do not worry about her. She knows that our concern for her is always on our minds. We will call Luz Maria first before we come again. Luz has been a heaven-sent friend to all three of us.

Sept.8

It had been two weeks and we were anxious to see how Maria was doing with her braces. Marge packed a frozen chicken for the family and I stuffed a wheelchair into the rear of the car. On our last visit, Maria told us that someone had stolen her wheelchair. Can you imagine what a sad excuse for a human being would do such a thing? We read about such events in the papers but until it happens to you or someone you know it is hard to describe. Jim and Jane had an almost new chair and they graciously gave it to Maria. Her friends in RB always come to her aid.

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It was a sunny not too hot day and after our greetings, we sat outside her room. It was time for our chatting session. Maria loves these moments with her American family. As is her custom she had purchased beer and chips for us. I had argued with her on past visits about buying the beer but she would not be deterred. She was entertaining her guests and I am finally accepting her gesture.

“You brought me a wheelchair. Thank you, it looks very well.” (There is that new reference again. Marge tells me that most people like to receive something new. Validation of one’s worth?) Jaime fixed my old chair but it broke and I cannot use it. This one is wonderful.” This almost new chair will quickly become aged after a few trips to the “ linea “ over those rough streets. Maria, we are making plans for you to come to our house next month to celebrate your birthday. Can you spend two nights with us? “ I love your house, it is like a palace, so clean, so white. Yes, I will be happy to come and stay with you and Magie. I want my house to be just like yours. Whatever Magie says about my house is fine with me.” But Maria, this will be your home and you must decide on your colors and decorations. “No, no, whatever Magie says is ok with me. I have called the governor’s office many times but the line is always so busy I cannot reach his secretary.” Marge suggested to Maria that she go to the governor’s office in person. Take your lunch with you, wear your old braces, lest someone thinks you are wealthy, don’t use makeup and wear an older dress. Just sit there until you can make an appointment to see him. And remember, cry when it is necessary.” I will do that, Magie. Friday, Emanuel and I will go to his office. I will ask Manuel’s teacher to excuse him on Friday.”

Maria is always happy to do whatever she can to help our cause. As I sit here and reflect on her task I realize what a huge undertaking this must be for her. She has already made these trips several times. Just getting on and off the bus with her chair is so very difficult with only a twelve-year-old to accompany her. 180

Before the boys exploded on the scene Maria asked us to come into her room and see her tv. The other old, large one, was on its last legs. She was so proud to show us this “new tv”. “Manuel and I went to the swap meet this morning and I saw this nice little tv. ‘How much,’ I asked the lady? $40 she told me. I cannot afford that much, how about $35? ‘Done’, she said. We hurried home and the boys’ father went back to get it. What do you think Magie, did I get a bargain? And, the set also has a radio.” She knows Marge is a bargain hunter and wanted her reaction. Well done, Maria, you made a good deal. The picture is good and she receives several channels.” What about President Clinton, what is happening with him? The airplane crash in Halifax was terrible.” Maria knows our views on politicians and governments. They are all the same. In the past, we have urged Maria to watch the news every day. She does and is well aware of all that is going on in the world. When the old tv was not working Maria played the old radio Jim gave her. Her mind is very busy these days; new braces, trips to RB, plans for her house, her American family. Debutants have their coming-out parties. So also is Maria’s coming out.

Any concerns of ours over Maria’s braces were unfounded. She is delighted with them; they are very comfortable and she has quickly gained confidence in them. The effort is still very great for her to maneuver around her room but she is managing much better. The boys flew into the room with all their school books and started the routine that is the same the time world over; “ I’m hungry, what is there to eat? “ Maria went to her routine of getting them out of their uniforms before any food was eaten. It seemed that they were in and out in a flash, gone to play soccer. If their homework was not completed it surely will be this evening. Maria is a tough master in these affairs. Mark and Meg can attest that their mother was equally stern.

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Please remember, Maria, that the funds for your house are still coming in and that next month we should have enough to start the building. “I know, David, I must do something about my lot.” Recently we have received more estimates on the construction costs and now have a good idea of the amount we will need. “til our next visit keep well my friend, we love you. “Egualmente, David, egualmente, Magie. I will wait in the doorway and send you kisses.”

13 Sept. Sunday

This was an unplanned trip to Mariano but there were several necessary visits to make. Berenice’s wedding is next week and I needed directions to the ceremony. We had Raul’s school gift and our gifts for his great success in the 5th grade. He now is in his last year of primary school. This is the critical year for most of the children in Mexico. He shows no sign of changing his fine performance this year. With little or no encouragement at home, Raul is a wonder. Next, we wanted to see Prisciliana and find out about David’s last Shriners’ appointment. Lastly, a quick stop at el Lago to see Patricia.

The road down to Mariano is so terrible that once the rains begin we will not travel there until the spring. There are no drains in the area and consequently, the road is muddy the year around.

Elva, Karina, Raul, and several cousins were just finishing their meal. They urged us to come in and we picked up on all the news in the community. Karina had returned to her mother’s house after several years. They seem to get along just fine now. Grandmother Leonila was there also. She had been quite ill but looked good today. Raul was his usual polite, quiet self, unlike his brothers Meliton and Hector. No great loss that these two were no longer living at Elva’s. We were quite surprised that Elva did not invite us to lunch; perhaps she did not have enough money. It was ok we 182

would find another place to have lunch. “David, when are you and Margarita coming to my house for lunch? It has been a very long time.” She acts sad and looks to put a guilt trip on us. I looked at my calendar and Marge said the end of November was good. Don’t forget now, mark your calendar. Marge will bring a cake at that time to celebrate Elva’s birthday. As we were leaving I motioned Raul to come outside with us. I gave him the money gift toward school expenses and our gift of a calculator and a pen. The money comes from a person who has subsidized him for several years. By this time it acts as an insensitive veto to his mother that she keep him in school. This money is for your school needs only; I wanted him to realize that it was for him and not any other family member. He was very appreciative of the whole situation. Raul is the last hope in this family for any extended amount of schooling.

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