- QUE RICA! HOW RICH!
Where do I begin?
Perhaps with an ending? Or two...
After a glorious week with my four children, Two beautiful granddaughters, and amazing weather, except for one rainy cold day, I am in an elated state. The entire clan is now back in California, with the exception of my youngest daughter, who will be spending a couple of months here with me in Vallarta. So #1, the family week has ended, and, #2, tonight was closing night of a wonderful show at the boutique theater. I directed it and filled in for an actress a few nights. We had a good run of “Heir To A Misfortune.” The week has ended well. And I am so proud to announce that my son Christopher and his girlfriend Kelli, Are now engaged.
As I left the theater tonight, knowing I would be walking home through processions and parades, I realized I had forgotten my phone. No photographs. If anyone knows me, they know that I take millions of photographs. But tonight, I saw the world through my own eyes, without stopping to catch that good shot. As I walked up Calle Juarez, The street that closes down for 12 days, to honor our lady of Guadalupe, I was undistracted by the Lens. Funny how real life gives you a different perspective than when always looking at things Through a camera.
I saw children dressed as the Blessed Virgin, donkeys being led through the streets, tacos for sale, along with pies, cotton candy, tamales, and every other food that is popular here during this festive season. The entire center of town was filled with beautiful people, brimming over with children’s laughter, parents loving each other, grandparents being respectfully cared for along the procession route.
It was an amazing display of loyalty, faith, culture, and just plain love, amidst the poverty, correction, and problems of this country. Perhaps that is why Mexico has so many celebrations.
They are amazing distractions.
I stopped in at the church to witness a group that have just arrived to honor our lady of Guadalupe. Children perched on the altar, dressed in native costumes of rancheros And beautiful young Mexican dancing women. They held the donkey heads on sticks. Crafted out of papier-mâché, the donkeys swayed back-and-forth, as the music played and the people sang.
Songs of the season flowed from the mouths of the believers, and from those who don’t believe, but want to. I walked along the road to home, witnessing bright colored fuchsia and a turquoise feathered hat on a dancing group, with jingling feet. Shells clashed and clamoured as they dance to the beat of drums and the cult of Hortons.
Five minutes later another group came . They were Donned in colorful native costumes from the Oaxaca area. During these 12 days of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Many groups will pass along this way to the church, offering prayers, alms, and gratitude for the blessings in their mostly poor lives. About every 15 minutes, a new group and choose the church, followed by their family and friends. They feel their timeslot with love in song, prayer, and offerings.
Further along the road, as I saw bubbles blowing, cotton candy being swallowed by the mouths of babes, and fun crazy toys of lights, blinking in the night, and lovely little Dolls being sold on corners next to the food stands. When I arrived at our Lady of Refuge Church, I happened upon a Mass and a wedding. The church was full, and many were dressed in white. The bridesmaids were in bright yellow, and the groomsmen wore Ranchero hats. Sombreros. Children were dressed like little dogs! It was absolutely exquisite. Their love was blessed in the presence of family friends and members of the parents.
I then made my way across the street to Parque Hidalgo. What a glorious gathering of locals and tourists, watching beautiful Hawaiian dancers with intricate ornamental headdresses. Aloha. I never connected Puerto Vallarta with this concept of Aloha until tonight. Welcome. Welcome home. That’s how I feel here. At home.
Several more folklorico groups danced in their exquisite costumes. So many young people are dedicated to their culture and art in the country of Mexico. It lifts the spirits to see such beautiful loyalty and love. Not to mention pride. My heart grieves for the pride I once felt for my beloved United States. It has definitely waned since I have been away. Nonetheless, I am still anAmerican, And I pray for the peace and civility of my homeland.
But tonight, I wish that my entire family could have walked that road with me. Perhaps one day they will experience more of the cultural beauty of my new home here in Vallarta. I feel so blessed to have found a safe place where I can live with the means that I have in this life.
Having been with my family this week, and listening to my precious granddaughter Violet tell me that she misses me when I leave, I realize how rich I am. I am grateful for technology and connections. I am grateful for sufficient health in my family to be able to communicate with each other.
Tonight‘s walk along the road of our lady of Guadalupe, was the beginning after two amazing endings. I now have an extended family, and have learned to really appreciate the gift Of my life. As I push through the pain of my fibromyalgia and other issues, I strive every day to smile, be a light, and be filled with gratitude for and focus on what I DO have, not what I do NOT have
