This is one of those posts that I have to say: IF YOU HAVEN'T READ WEEK 65. Part 1.
PLEASE, DO SO. Otherwise... this post won't make much sense!
****************************************
After all the excitement of the Georgia Aquarium on Monday, the next day was a quiet
one. I had scheduled myself off just in case, Maricela, needed to solve last minute issues.
But there was no need. She was going to have some friends over, and said not to worry.
We agreed on seeing each other later that afternoon. Having a few hours to myself,
I caught up on much needed cleaning, took down some of my nautical decor, that will
come with me to Spain, and worked on WEEK 65. Part1.
I think, that same day (my memory is failing and I'm pressed for time... no double checking
myself) I submitted my childhood story: OF NUNS AND CAULIFLOWERS. at Jillsy Girl Studio
Challenge of the Month. To my surprise a few hours later, my sister, Cary, The FRESH BLOND
of my tale, dug up some... ummm... memorable photos of those years, and e-mailed them
to me, so I could include them in the story...
Well, this one is great, because it's my wonderful MAMI. I can't believe I am actually turning
51 in June. The same age as her in this photo!! I miss you MAMI!!
However, the next photo... P-L-E-A-S-E!! Look at it well. Look at my sister, Mari Carmen,
as we called her back then... with her beautiful long, blond hair, like a queen, sitting pretty on
her throne. Her body language says it all..."I RULE". Then, look at me... a mere peasant
by her feet, subject to her "RULING".
Now,take a closer look, at my "Can we get this humiliation over with?" face. And,
do you see that hidden hand of hers? Yeah, she was pinching me.... I am sure. BUT wait!!
Take an even closer look at that ugly dog of hers. Where is it, you asked? It's the shaggy being
on the chair. His name was "RICO".
Cary with" Linda", Rico's mom", my cousin Adolfo, with Rico and his Pekenese father, "Chato"and his brother, Rody, who is holding something in his hands....
That spoiled DEVIL-dog should have stayed in Puerto Rico, where this other photo was
taken in 1969. However, my sister threw a fit and wanted him in Spain with us. So he flew
to Spain. And, Rico, made our lives misserable. But, that's another story.
Seeing that she took the time to bring out this... ummm... wonderful photo...I dug up
another photo that shows Cary's personality very well. This one was in Florida, in 1979.
She came from Spain, for my wedding... We were still very, very young! And... still very,
very different. See?
Ah, so many years have gone by since... we are mature adults now and we get along
wonderfully! BUT, she is still a little crazy and rebelious... SEE?
If you are wondering about the other character in this photo. It's, Carolina, my niece.
You might remember her, from: RETREAT AT GOLDEN SQUASH CORRAL.
Read it and have a laugh or two!
P.S. I love you MARI CARMEN!!
*******************************************
On Wednesday, it was time to say good bye to Maricela's family. I was calm. I knew
returning to Mexico, was the best option for now.
Still, it was so hard for me, and I took them to Wal-Mart to have professional photos
taken, but it was impossible, because they mixed up the time! Alright, like that was
going to stop me... I had an idea!!
I rushed into the store and bought a green table cloth, then took them to eat lunch
at Bojangles, that had just opened that morning in Winder, (Woo-Hoo!)
where we had fun watching the girls eat French-fries! Right after lunch, I searched for
a place to do one last photo shoot of the girls. Aha! The playground of a nearby church. I
hoped and prayed that I could do a good job and brought the tablecloth with me.
But... Maritza and Alexa.... well.... they were tired...
they were BORED.... and I believe a little....ANOYED!!
So, I concentrated on Violeta....
I was happy with Violeta's photos! I think I captured her sweetness... Maricela and Violeta
loved them too! All was good.
Later that afternoon, Maricela and her family would take a bus to Houston, to say goodbye
to Javier's brother, and on the 28th a flight to Mexico.
Javier went to the bus station with a friend. Maricela and the girls with me. On the way there,
at a traffic light, Maricela asked me if I liked gold. I nonchalantly said, of course, and silver too!
What happened next left me shocked. Maricela, insisted I accept the only ring she had besides
her wedding band. If that was unbelievable....
that it fit my finger, was even more.... Yes, I ended accepting her gift, because she insisted so
much. I have told Sandra, in case anything happens to me, it has to be returned, so that
Violeta can have her mother's ring...
Even inside the bus, we kept hugging and kissing.... I had to turn into the crazy Spanish
woman with the camera, that made them laugh, and take one last photo. "If not....
it wouldn't be me. right?" I said, and she laughed...
I knew Maricela would be fine... she is a strong woman.
Then I turned around, and saw Violeta. My heart broke. She was the perfect poster
child for an immigration reform law campaign. What a shame that a child with an American
passport has to go though this... her parents are good people that paid their taxes, and even
left me a a money order for Georgia Power to pay their last electric bill, when they could have
kept it.
I also saw myself in her. I had moved so many times as a child... I knew exactly how she felt.
I consoled her, and told her that in a few days, she would be with lots of family and cousins
to play with, and that some they we would see each other again.
Although a very sad experience, as long as she has her parent's love, everything will work out...
I know, I've been there enough.
Maricela, Javier and the girls arrived safely in Houston, Texas, 13 hours later. We have talked
several times since then.
P.S. Javier bought Maricela a camera that day... and I felt happy and proud.
Now, she needs to learn how to drive, like I told her to!! :)