MARIA VISITS MARIANO

22 November

Maria was ready and waiting for us when we arrived at her room. She is always ready for any appointments. Today we were going back to Mariano Matamoros again for a luncheon date; at Elva’s. Mariano is not Maria’s favorite place; the horrible roads, swirling dust, lack of greenery, and on and on. Maria knows why we continue to visit the area year after year. “The people are so nice and I like to meet your friends. But, it is such an ugly place. I like my Mesa Otay colonia.” We readily agree with her.

We must stop and see Mario before Elva. Mario knows about our problems with Maria’s lot and he has agreed to help in any way he can. Christopher came out and greeted us and then watched as Maria went through her process of getting out of the car. “ This is so hard for me and I must be a bother to you. “ She has said this many times before and always receives the same answer. I stand by the door and silently offer my help. “Sola, David, sola.” Mario greeted us warmly as we entered the house. Maria was visibly impressed with this beautifully decorated home. Montse was home from her American family. Her English has improved so much in the months she has spent in San Diego. Marge and I are very proud of Montse and her accomplishments. Mario immediately entered into a long conversation with Maria, instructing her on what she should do next to begin procedures on obtaining her land. Soon Christina came over and she and Marge entered into a busy round of chatting. Christina gave Marge a beautiful hand-made shawl from Mexico 193

City. Christina’s birthday will be coming up in February and that will mean an invitation to our Rancho Bernardo Inn.

When Mario had completed his instructions he promised to visit Maria the following Tuesday for more talks. Mario is our last hope for help with Maria and her land. Those other rich important people fell by the wayside months ago.

My business with Mario was short and pleasant; I gave him this year’s donation for the families. Two thousand dollars divided up between several of our needier friends. The Foundation has been a wonderful help over these past several years. It has no idea how many people have benefitted from these annual donations.

Elva was hardly aware that we arrived quite late for our lunch. She is not a person who has an organized, scheduled life. Her house reflects that lifestyle also. Maria noticed but said nothing. Raul and Malena welcomed us also; unfortuneately, Karina was not at home. She had gone to Sinaloa with her grandmother. I’m sure that the two polio victims would have enjoyed each other’s company. Elva’s food presentation was not as good as other times. No salad, no dessert, no ice, no soda. She often admonishes me for not coming to her house more, and then comes up with this meal. I understand her less and less as the years go by. If Karina were not our first Shriner’s kid, I think we would see even less of her. Our bond with Karina is a strong and lasting one.

Raul was a joy to behold, friendly, polite, and so interested in his education. He brought out his typewriter (used) and then proceeded to type a thank you note to Diane. He is the last hope for that family to finish school and escapes that lifelong drudgery one encounters in the factories. Malena had made the most dramatic change of all. She has grown to several inches, slimmed down, and is becoming a nice young lady. Hardly literate yet able to secure a job in one of the factories. Carolina, Elva’s sister, was also there and she helped to keep the conversation going. Maria, of course, no 194

longer has any problem along those lines. Whether in San Diego at our table, or in Mariano, Maria is equally at ease and loves to chat.

I asked Carolina if she would like to come up and visit us in January. She would, of course. Elva still has not been able to renew her passport. Sorry, Elva, Carolina will take your place. She is unhappy with that turn of affairs. I did not cause you to lose your passport, my friend. Carolina can come up with Priscilliana in January. We celebrate her birthday each year on January 4, Nancy’s day also. Nancy is studying English every Saturday. Marge and I praise Nancy at every visit, she is a good girl and becoming more and more ambitious. A life sentence in the factory will not be her career. After we left Elva’s we stopped to see Priscilliana. Peche never attended school but she taught herself to read and write, to a small extent. I’ve written much about this fine lady and wonderful mother. Quiet, very observant, and ever considerate. It is Priscilliana who always calls us at Christmas and my birthday. No education, no money, but a world of class; the word was invented for this fine friend.

Priscilliana sat in the car as we talked about coming events and David’s return trip to Shriners. When I mentioned our annual trip down with the food/turkeys, she immediately invited John and me for lunch. I readily accepted. John became a regular visitor to Mariano and loves to go with me. Maria knows John and is anxiously awaiting his visit.

As we made our way slowly down Calle Uxmal to leave our friends, I saw Mary Angeles, one of my stucco students from the Carter week. She was busy laying cement blocks to connect her sanitary drain to the main. I called her, “hi my student, how are you?” “Hola, David, you remember me that week?” Silly question. Mary and Juan, her husband, and their kids, Faviola, and Freddie, are also on the donation list, and the Christmas food list. They are

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sacrificing much to send those children to private school. A good investment is that family.

Our motto over the years has not changed; try to make life a little better for our friends to the south.

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