Two years ago, I planned to throw my book a grand coming out party and then, head back to Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, to reunite with my first Spanish-speaking friends – the ones that, unbeknownst to them, put my life on a path paved by Spanish. As of today, I am excited to say, that one of two dreams came to pass.
Plan A succumb to the Spring 2020 COVID spread, putting the Spanish flu and Black Plague back into human’s collective memories. My books arrived in boxes and were “released” into our garage for a period of quarantine, before we dared open and touch them. My envisioned trip to Saltillo flew completely off the charts. Travel bans to a neighboring county made out-of-country plans a distant notion.
The planet continued to circle the sun. Our days filled, but mostly with extra effort, as we all tried to stay healthy. A vaccine, then a booster brought some hope. Countries began dropping most of their travel testing. Was I ready to leave the country? Should I jump across the border? Time is less kind to those of us in the “third stage” of life, changing our goals and energy. So. . .
If not now, when?
One late October day, the answer leapt to the front: NOW. A piece of November’s calendar was empty. We made some phone calls and packed out. One Thursday, we left Minneapolis at 3:00 a.m. and by 3:00 p.m., were picked up by Lucio at the Monterrey airport. We headed for Casa Maria in Saltillo, a place we were made aware of only a week before during the Little Falls Franciscan Sister’s community meeting. Thus began the bringing memories full circle.
Sister Isa welcomed us to Casa Maria, a newly opened location to be used for incoming rural college girls to live while studying “in the big city.” It became our home, cooking and eating together, sharing evenings, and included a Thanksgiving dinner that crossed the border in the trunk of a car driven by Franciscan Sisters! They also invited us to spend a weekend at their rural site at San Rafael, where we enjoyed a tamale feast served to folks who have been supportive of their mission there.
¡¡¡Tía Juana!!!
This blog is beautiful! YOU are such an inspiration! TQM!!
💕 Dawn (Maine)
What a wonderful story! So glad you were able to find your friends.
Hey Rosemary, Good to hear from you and YES, it was so fine going full circle. Maybe take a minute to go back to the book and read about our first meeting in Saltillo and then look at our pictures now. Hm. . . All good!
Wonderful serendipity here! Thanks for sharing your gift of storytelling.!
Carla,
Serendipity is a good word. I’m told there is no such thing as coincidence. Maybe miracles? Depends on the belief system.
All wonderful! And, thanks for your art!!!
How fun to reconnect with friends who influenced you so much over such a long time! I love your way of being in the world – both when you’re close to home and far away. You get things done, Girl!! Thanks for sharing all those things with us.
I enjoyed reading your account of this amazing trip. What a wonderful chance to reconnect with old friends, share beautiful recollections of the past, and to make new memories together. It’s a model all of us would do well to follow!