THE SECOND CELEBRATION

We all were very excited, Meg and Dave would be arriving soon; their first meeting with Maria. Due to their work schedules, they would only stay for the day. There would be plenty of time for the three to get acquainted. While Marge busied herself with another festive dinner, Maria and I chatted about a variety of subjects.” On the 15 of October, I am going to see the municipal governor about my lot. I finally have an appointment to see him. It is so difficult to make any progress, with my lot. “They are at the point of depending upon Maria and her persistent struggles with the bureaucracy and Mario, who has promised to help with this lot business. We have great faith in Mario’s ability to accomplish just about any task set before him. Very soon, Maria, we will have enough money to build your house; a contractor seems less of a problem now, only that lot. We know that you are doing your part, Maria. Marge and I can not show ourselves at any of the government offices. Red tape and prices would skyrocket as soon as they saw the “gringos.”

“The other day Manuel said to me, ‘mommie, when I grow up I will take care of you and you will not have to go to the border anymore. ‘I told him what you and Magie say, “first you must go to school and become educated. That is most important. ‘I left my village in Guadalajara because I was determined that my boys would not grow up to be “donkeys.” No one in that village is educated, it is very poor there, l have many sad memories of that place. My father made our room with baked mud bricks and he used straw for the roof. Our floor was dirty. The few animals we had just roamed throughout the place and left their dirt all over. We were 15 children in that terrible place. (two later died). My oldest sister is 188

sixty years old and she still lives there. I would never go back, too many sad memories.” I told her again that those times were past and her life is much better now. “Thank God and thanks to you and Magie and my friends here in San Diego.”

Meg and Dave had arrived. As I introduced them Maria remarked how much Meg looks like her father. And, so very tall! Meg is not very tall but compared with Maria, she is. They chatted like sisters who had not seen each other in many years. Dave brushed up on his high school Spanish and dove into the chat.

Every few minutes Meg would call me for a translation. All in all, they had a great time chatting. Maria was forced to wear the same Saturday night dress because the pretty red dress she brought (new), was too tight through her shoulders. If you have seen any pictures of Maria, you can see that she is very stocky in that area. I kid her about being so muscular. “Before I had my chair my arms and shoulders were much bigger. Now that I use my chair so often I have become lazy. “Oh sure, you are so lazy.”

Dinner was almost ready and I went to pour the wine. Maria had bought two liters of a very good dry wine; Padre Kino. Mario served it at Berenice’s wedding and I remarked to Maria how good it was.” I will buy some for my birthday party to celebrate. “ I protested in vain, she had her mind made up. We can not deny her these few gifts that she insists on giving. As we approached the beautifully arranged dinner table, Maria remarked about the wine glasses.” These are so elegant, they are crystal, yes? ‘Marge was very impressed that Maria knew these forty-four-year-old glasses were crystal. Where does this lady learn the things she does? The stars, changing word usage, fancy dinner wares?

Since Maria loves chicken breasts, Marge made her California chicken supreme specialty. When I asked Maria to give the blessing before the meal, she said a short, beautiful prayer thanking God for His blessings and for her friends at this table. As the chatting 189

continued at a slower pace, the five of us enjoyed the wonderful food. Maria was the center of attention and we enjoyed putting her in that position. She glowed in the fuss. The whipped cream coconut cake Maria gladly shared with Dave. After all, he celebrated a birthday this same week. As is our tradition on these occasions the gifts were opened after the meal. Meg and David gave Maria a beautiful covered ceramic casserole dish along with face lotion. We gave her a little purse that she will carry on special events, perfume, and candy. Together with the twenty-dollar gift from Jane and Jim, Maria did very well.

Today had been a long tiring one for Maria, and she was now fading quickly. She barely finished her cake and soon announced that she was very tired and going to bed. No chatting until eleven this night. As she hugged Meg and Dave, Marge and I could see that in these few short hours the bond between them had grown strong and lasting. As she does with everyone, Maria had captured their love.

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