Dear Olga,
My year in Morelia was the most extraordinary experience of my life. Even though it was 17 years ago (how could it possibly be that long ago!?), I still miss it as much as I ever did.
You and your family helped to make my year as wonderful as it was. I have so many beautiful memories from my stay with you. When I moved into your house, you, Fernando, and Mariol were warm, kind, generous, and made me feel a part of the family from that very first day. It warms my heart to think of how you took care of me when I was sick. It was you that first realized that I didn’t just have a lingering cold. Even though I had mononucleosis for two months, I remained in good spirits as you welcomed my friends into the house to keep me company, and you spent time with me each day. Do you remember when my friends brought me a torta from one of the street food vendors? It still makes me giggle to think how you lovingly reprimanded me because eating the street food is what got me sick in the first place. It may seem like a small thing to you, but I cherish all of the lunches we had together as a family. It seems most families in the States are too busy to spend much quality time together. Work, friends, and obligations seem to take precedence; family is often pushed down on the list of priorities. In your household, family was the number one priority, and I learned that from my very first day with you. Every day I’d look forward to our meals together as it was such a heart-warming time together. We’d talk about friends, family, events, or just what was happening in our day. When friends tell me they’re feeling disconnected from their family because of how hectic their lives are, I use your family as an example of how to be close. Something as simple as a family meal can be such a meaningful thing, as you & your family showed me. A favorite memory of mine from that year is when you took me on a field trip with your students to be a chaperone to Mexico D.F.
Racing with your students to the top of the pyramid at Teotihuacán and walking with them through the ruins, going to the different cathedrals, seeing Frida Kahlo’s house, walking through El Castillo de Chapultepec, seeing the cultural ballet showing the regional dress and styles of dance from all over Mexico, watching Swan Lake outside with El Castillo in the background…
Thank you so much for including me in that experience. It gave me memories that will last a lifetime. My absolute favorite memory is when I came over to your house one night and told you that I had something to ask you. I told you that I didn’t have time to explain, but I needed to move from my current situation, and I wanted to know if I could possibly move back with your family. I knew it was a lot to ask. It would have been an inconvenience to have someone move into your house under any circumstance, but your family had recently been through some difficult times, and so I didn’t really hold out hope that you would be able to take me in again. I told you I completely understood if you said no. When I finished speaking, Pakuni jumped into my lap, and you looked at Fernando, you both laughed, and you said, “I think Pakuni just gave you your answer.” You and your family didn’t ask questions. You simply accepted me with open arms. I can't tell you how much that meant to me. When I moved back in, we sat down and I explained the situation to you. You gave me a hug and told me that I always have a place in your family. The thing is, that’s just the way you are- with everyone. Your kindness, generosity, and beautiful spirit touch everyone you meet. Even all these years later, I still feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of your family, and it warms my heart when I reflect on all of the time I spent in your home. I still refer to you & Fernando as mi mamá y papá en Morelia.
Happy 60th birthday! I wish you all of the blessings and happiness you so deserve. You’re forever in my heart! Un gran abrazote!
Tu pingüino,
Misty
