MONTSERRAT LEAVES

Before I comment on the title of this entry I must relay another event in the life of Maria. Bill, the parish accountant, and his wife, Pat, have been very supportive in our efforts to raise the funds for Maria’s house. Marge and I felt a box of candy was in order to show our appreciation. No sooner had I given the candy to Pat, than Bill came over and gave me a fist full of pesos. “Maria’s guardian angel has come through again. “$62 in pesos. That brings the total to $242. “All I know is that it comes from the Sunday noon mass.” How we wish that we could meet the person and give thanks! “That money will come in very handy, Maria can go to the occultist, “ Marge commented. Maria had complained in the past that she was having problems reading the small print in newspapers. She needs to be able to read since her new English studies include a text.

Last August Montserrat came up to stay with a Poway family. Since that time she has made great strides in obtaining a fine knowledge of English. Her performance at the Eyer home, Poway high school, and night school classes have all added to her accomplishment. Not only are we very happy for her, but her family is extremely proud of her. In fact, next month she will receive an award at school for being the most conscientious student in her class. I’m sure one of the three families will have some sort of a party for her. Last week Montse took tests at the university to qualify her for entry into the English language school. In February she will be studying English each morning for four hours and then her regular courses in the afternoon. Since her father works in the university system, she will attend tuition-free.

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After her tests on Monday, Montse came out to our house for a long-promised spaghetti dinner. Marge made her a blue cheese dressing, Montse’s favorite. We had a fun evening as she is like the rest of the Montenegro family, talkative, and very sociable. We will miss her but she promised to return for a visit this summer.

Some pages back I mentioned our food collection. For the past several years, eight to be exact, we have collected food donations for our friends in Tijuana. Friends, relatives, and customers make up the list of people Marge calls each year after Thanksgiving. We average about 35 calls and receive 30-32 responses each year.

During our first years, 3-4 families were involved in this collection. This year 17 families received either food, turkeys, or candy. The seven neediest received the largest amounts. Five hundred dollars were also donated this year. We have lots of fun at Costco buying all the treats for these people. In the past, we stressed the staples for our friends, rice, beans, and canned vegetables. This year, we decided to concentrate on items that are seldom seen by many people; cookies, candies, fruits, canned tuna, meats, etc… 1998, marks the third year that my good friend, John S. has made the trip with me. We have such a good time and he loves our friends as we do. This year we were again invited to Prisciliana’s house. Peche is a wonderful cook as Marge and I have witnessed many times. Unfortunately, Nancy was not home. She and Heydi were in Vera Cruz visiting her aunt. Nancy is studying English and I wanted to chat with her a little.

As in the past, it took two trips down to distribute the food, turkeys, and candies, to the families. Early Saturday am, John and I made our way to Pablo’s shoe shop in Matamoros and then to Cruz and Leonardo’s house in the same area. Then on to Christina, Mario, Peche, Maricela, Elva, Mary los Angeles, Karina, Ulises and Berenice, Jair and Isabel, and on and on. It was a long day for us. The next morning we were off to “La Doctora’s”, Patricia 205

Chavez, and saving the best ‘til last, Maria. This year I divided Maria’s into several smaller portions since she does not have the room. The boys’ gifts, sweets for all, and a few gifts for Maria. The biggest turkey of all, 17#, went to the family that at one time had the very least. Later she told me that it lasted for five days. At this point, the gifts were not on Maria’s mind. She wanted to talk with John, and he with her. A year’s absence melted in minutes. It was like they had never been apart. John was duly impressed with her increased conversational skills, more outgoing personality, and general interest in him and his life. John should have seen Maria with reading glasses. I loaned her a pair once and she looked every bit at the teacher. My comment made her blush but I’m sure it was appreciated.

The visit passed well. The friendship was further strengthened and John promised to return again to visit Maria. John was very devoted to Mother Theresa and her work; even traveling to far off India to help her firsthand. Mother is gone now but her work continues. Maria is with us and her influence is felt by us every day and by all who enter that damp, darkroom.

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