THIRD BIRTHDAY

2 Oct.

Today will mark the third year Maria has come to our house to celebrate her birthday. For 35 years Maria never had a party and now three straight years. We were just as excited today as we were in the past. As I mentioned Carlos wrote the INS letter requesting a one-day entry pass. While Marge prepared the day’s festivities, I went down to Villa Fontana. “I am so ashamed. I wanted to buy a gift for you and Magie but I did not have the money. Look, David, I bought these two uniforms for the boy’s exercise classes at school. (We call it physical). They cost $60. “Please, Maria, it is ok. This is your day and you will be receiving gifts. Her gratitude is continual and she is ever looking to give back in her own way.

I brought meat, fruits, and vegetables for the family and some ceramic pieces from Dak for her to sell. This should help offset her 2 day’s absence from the border. Last weekend she made only $25; few tourists travel to Mexico. I told Maria that since school started again, there will be fewer tourists until we near “el dia del pavo,” the day of the turkey, as she calls it. When the boys are on their Christmas vacation. Maria often goes every day to the “linea”. This is the time of the year when she will make the most money. Did I mention this story before, I’m not sure. Anyway, when Maria first came to Tijuana she went by bus to Ave. Revolucion to beg. She went alone those days since the boys were too young to accompany her. Without a wheelchair, she was on her feet all day trying to earn enough for their food. Many days she would earn only $5. A $1 239

bus fare came out of that $5. She had to make that long trip every day in order to have enough to eat.

With a light left on, she locked up her little house, and off we went. Very few cars were passing into the US today. “What do you call this area?” Otay Mesa. “What do you call this place?” Chula Vista. And on and on just as she had done so many times in the past. Ever eager to gain as much knowledge as possible. “San Diego is so beautiful, so green. Even my new neighborhood is not as pretty as this. “We spend many, many dollars to keep our city green. Tijuana just does not have the water or the infrastructure to spend on the green. “The United States is so blessed and so rich country. God has been very good to you. “I agree saying that we often forget what a blessing it is to live in this land.

“Hola, Magie, hola, I have arrived at your beautiful house.” Maria, this is your house also. She reminds us constantly that the little house in Villa Fontana is ours. I brought her chair just in case but she insisted on walking. Her walking has improved her health and increased her appetite.

“Oh Magie, your house is so beautiful and clean. I think that it is three times larger than my little house. “This was Maria’s first visit since she moved to Villa Fontana and so she was able to compare the size of the two houses; with an accuracy that was almost perfect! What changes this past year has brought. Last year we had enough money for her house but no good prospects of hiring a builder and no prospects of buying her lot. Today, Maria and her boys are settled in and enjoying their first real house. A brand new house at that! Furnished and equipped with everything they need. Granted, no phone, clothes dryer, VCR, or computer, but there is running water, a kitchen, and the luxury of all luxuries, a TOILET!

We were to take advantage of this beautiful, sunny day and eat out on the patio. Maria was hungry but she was also wound 240

up like a coo-coo clock, as the saying goes. She talked to Marge and me non-stop. It mattered not in the least that Marge could not understand her. It is the same when we arrive at her house. Before we get in the door, she is telling us all the news and local gossip. “Last night I did not sleep much at all. I was so excited about my trip to your house. Last week I talked for hours with my neighbor, Lorena, after you left. Lorena loves my little house and she would like Magie to decorate her house also. (Marge was flattered but she cannot commit to another undertaking like Maria’s. Besides, Lorena’s husband works in SD and they can well afford to hire a decorator). I think Alfonso is back to work again as he is not acting so strange. The poor man worries constantly about the neighborhood and burglars. Many nights he just drives his car around and around the streets looking for I do not know. A policeman bought the house two doors from Alfonso. That should be an encouragement for him. His poor wife, Hilda, hardly ever leaves the house. Alfonso wants her home all the time. Oh, what a gossip I am!! “We all laugh but the neighborhood news is a good diversion for her. She is alone a good six hours every day during the week when the boys are at school.

Everyone was quite hungry, Maria surprisingly so. “I only drank coffee this morning. I always know Magie will be cooking something special. The California supreme chicken breast dish was delicious. Magie also served my very favorite: gelatin fruit salad and baby carrots. Magie, what is this? “That is asparagus, Maria a vegetable. “This is the first time I have eaten asparagus. It is wonderful !” So it is at $4 per pound.

While Marge picked up after our delicious meal I took Maria for a stroll around the neighborhood. As always the questions continued. “Who lives in that house? Do you know those people? Are there wild animals up in those hills? Are they called the California mountains?’’ See what I mean? Last year we talked about 241

the stars and planets. There seems to be no end to her desire to learn.

Maria, do you see those people in their garage? Every year they donate to our Christmas collection. Let’s go over and talk to them. Hi, Bob, hi, Jane, I would like you to meet our good friend Maria. Maria is celebrating her birthday this weekend. They were impressed with Maria’s friendliness and willing ness to chat. “Oh, she is so pretty,” Jane commented. Maria thanked her as she raised her hand to hide a blush and also thanked them for their donations each year at Christmas time. “I studied Spanish 50 years ago but I have forgotten it all,” Bob remarked. As we departed Maria said that Jane and Bob were very nice neighbors.

No sooner had we arrived at our house than the doorbell rang. I thought it was Rita, our neighbor. She was invited over for birthday cake. Instead, it was Jane telling Marge that she and Bob wanted to give Maria a little something for her special day. Later, when Maria opened the card and asked me to translate the verse, a $20 bill fell out. What did Maria say when she saw this gift? Nothing about perfume or treats or cosmetics, but rather, “look, Magie, now I can buy more books for Manuel.”

Soon Rita came over and the conversation picked up again. During our meal, Maria was yawning and acting very sleepy. After her desert, she gained a second wind. That chatterbox kept us up until almost midnight.

I must relate one of the stories Maria told us. As I have mentioned in the past, there are several crippled people who go to the border as Maria does. Some are in wheelchairs, others missing limbs, and some suffer the ravages of drugs. All hoping to gain enough money to eat. The state does not hold its hand out to any of these people. One terribly crippled man named, Chuie, is at the border daily. Often in the past, I have given him money. Maria told us that Chuie is one of several children who live in a nice house with their

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widowed mother. None of the others goes to work, thereby making Chuie the sole supporter of his family. Since he cannot care for himself, Chuie is at the mercy of his family. His ability to talk is extremely limited. This forty-year-old man is brought to the border every day by a family member. There he sits in his wheelchair in sunshine and rain with no protection from the elements and with neither food nor water. At mid-day, someone from the family will come over and take any donations he has received.

Since Chuie cannot use his hands one must put their donation in his shirt pocket. If, by this time of day he has not received sufficient money to the family’s satisfaction, his sister or mother will hit him and scold him for being a failure. Many times, without success, Maria or Manuel have offered him food or drink. He is so accustomed to the abuse that he refuses any help. He would not accept Maria’s offer of an umbrella to shield himself from the harsh sunlight. His eyes are blood-red from the car fumes and his skin is leather brown from the sun. Poor, sad Chuie, his life is a tragedy. Are we now faced with a dilemma? One dislikes giving money to benefit these evil people. Yet, if he does poorly, the family abuses him. Years ago when we first heard Maria’s story we were crushed with grief. Now, this. I’m sure there are many more stories like Chuie’s. Chuie’s real name is Jesus. Most men with that name use Chuie. Perhaps one day Maria will tell us another.

Finally, close to midnight, Maria retired. This was very late for her, but she had many things to talk about.

The next morning Maria slept two hours beyond her usual 6:30 am. Marge and I gave her a lot of friendly kidding when she came out to greet us. “The boys are staying at Guillermo Prieto tonight so I do not have to leave early. However, I must wash the boy’s school uniforms sometime today. “ Marge interjected that it would be no problem to wash them in her machine. “No, no, I’ll wash them by hand in the shower. It is very easy, Magie. “Marge 243

argued with her to no avail. Perhaps Maria does not understand the delicate cycle in her washer. Marge will show her this very easy system on our next trip.

While Maria chatted with Marge. I was attempting to make the special brunch I prepare for most of our overnight guests; baking powder biscuits and orange muffins. I say attempting because I had to pop in and out of the room to translate.

What fun! Soon Jane and Jim will be coming and that will mean more translating and more fun. They know Maria well and love to visit with her. Over the years they have been generous givers to the family.

Jane and Jim greeted Maria with hugs and congratulations on her birthday and her new house. Jim has seen that terrible place in Mesa Otay. Like all the rest, he was very moved by her plight. Now, he and Jane are so excited and want to see the new house.” After Christmas please come and visit me. Soon I will be very busy going to the border every day.” When the boys are on vacation she meant. If we receive enough from the foundation this year perhaps Maria will not be forced to go there so often. Marge and I see how Maria is affected by the car fumes and the hot sun.

Marge and I have often discussed the subject of Maria leaving that dreadful situation she is in at the border. However, the fact that Maria often earns fifty dollars on a weekend is a plus. Many in the plants earn less than that in one week. Besides, Maria’s dollars go further than the Mexican pesos. Also, she is able to control her boys much better since she is at home every day. Those two will never be ‘’latch-key” kids. Marge and I will continue to think about alternatives to Maria’s trip to the “ linea “each week.

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