Coming "home" to San Miguel

We left San Miguel for a week. Although we saw many loved ones -- friends and family, there was much sadness for us. Keith's Uncle Gene had battled stage 4 lung cancer for 5 months and we lost him last Wednesday night in Houston. His diagnosis last spring was a surprise to everyone.... and the treatment and course was far too quick for us all to grasp. Just days before he was diagnosed, our big Lewis family was gathered around the Passover table, happily making our annual jokes and the brothers and cousins were all ribbing each other as they always do. My children remember Uncle Gene in those times, with his wit, humor, and kindness, as he smiled and laughed with us. In his memory, condolences may be sent to a charity supporting nursing scholarships in Houston called "The Good Samaritan Foundation" at http://gsftx.org/support/

I continued up to Austin, alone, in a rental car to visit some of my closest friends. I loved seeing them... it was just good for my soul. I had lunch with three friends and was able to giggle, laugh, hug and share --- they made me feel as if I had never left!!!.

One of the three is the most happy, funny, caring person you could ever meet. As I saw her, we both knew she was losing her mother to stage 4 pancreatic cancer. I spent a few hours that afternoon with my friend and her young boys, wishing I could give her a piece of me to ease her pain. Mostly, I just witnessed her strength, and missed her terribly. In helping her organize some affairs for her mom, she told me that her mom wished that as a tribute and celebration to her life, she wished for others to consider making a contribution to a children's charity of their choice. Please consider this noble wish, and let me know if you do, and I will pass on the good deed to my friend, as they would very much appreciate knowing the wonderful impacts of their mother's life. Her Mom gracefully passed away earlier today at home, with love of family surrounding her.

I spent the evening with another cherished friend, her husband and two kids just talking, sharing and being. (and, ok, eating!) I didn't want the evening to end. I feel truly lucky to have such wonderful friends who know how to love, laugh, give, receive and live life as it should be lived ---- with happiness and joy.

There were so many other friends, neighbors, colleagues, and relatives that I wished I had the chance to see in my 1 day excursion........ but with such little notice, and such little time, it just wasn't possible.

COMING HOME --- late last night..... the kids were dragging, Keith and I were exhausted. I had been battling a sinus/head/chest cold for the last 2 days in Houston and the kids were definately letting us know that it was 2 hours past their bedtime and they were tired of traveling. After a 2.5 hour flight, immigration, customs, a 1 hour drive, I felt warmly welcomed HOME by the lights of San Miguel. A strange feeling, as this has only been our home for 5 weeks.

All of the Red, White and Green lights are up around the town for the Mexican Independence holiday, fast approaching this weekend. Fireworks had already started lighting up the night as we were driving into town, and they continued all night long, like popcorn in the not-so-distant sky (like 5 blocks away). They are like background music to us now. We made it through the door, dropped the bags, cleaned up the kids and brushed their teeth and popped them in bed, and fell into bed, exhausted. And we were home. In San Miguel. We would be seeing our new friends this weekend we were sure.

I heard the church bells in the distance.... I wistfully thought of my many friendships and how much I missed them. I thought of family, and how far, but yet how close we can be whenever we want. It really is a very small world when we can be so connected through a computer screen, a telephone call, or a plane ride. I know how lucky I really am...

And in case you were wondering.... our car window is REPAIRED!!! No more plastic and tape for us... we have pimped our ride! And the Honda dealership even vacuumed and washed it for us (now we are a little nervous about sticking out again, so we need to go muddy it up!) AND, we have our new camera, so we will have pictures of the Lewis clan up soon enough, we promise. (and not the dancing ones... really!) No more kitchen explosions, or any other notable mishaps... so I think we have settled into a routine.

September is a month of Fiestas in Mexico ---- we will report back!

Mary