Nowhere does the old adage "Time flies" apply more
aptly than with children, as I was reminded last evening when I attended the Quinceañero celebration for Melanie, a young Tica lass we know.
As you may know, the Quinceañero is
a special birthday in Latin culture. Held on the fifteenth birthday, it marks a
girl's passage from childhood to young womanhood and is celebrated with a grand
party. But I had no idea just how grand my young friend's festivities would be,
nor did I realize what a beautiful young muchacha she has become.
 |
| Beautiful Melanie, now 15 years old |
Layne and I met Melanie three years ago when we lived in
Barrio Los Angeles where her mom Cidia was our weekly housekeeper. On occasions
such as holidays when school was out, Cidia would bring 12-year-old Melanie
along with her for the few hours she spent cleaning our house. At the time
Melanie was just a cute little girl, shy but friendly, with stunning dark eyes
set off by a creamy tan complexion. She would watch TV or read and when I
learned she liked puzzles, I would give her ones I had finished. Although
neither of them spoke English, we became friends with Cidia and got to know
little Melanie. When we needed to communicate beyond my Spanish, Melanie's
older sister Karen could translate with her excellent English skills. When
we moved from that house to Santa Eulalia two years ago, Cidia, Melanie and
her dad gave us good-bye gifts they had made, earrings for me by Cidia, a
wooden tray the father had hand-crafted and a decorated bottle made by Melanie.
We treasure their friendship even though we have few opportunities to see them
now.
 |
| The doll matches Melanie's dress! |
 |
| A three-tiered cake marks the occasion |
 |
| Melanie and Cidia |
 |
| Mom, Dad and Melanie |
But by chance Cidia saw me at the feria last Friday and
invited me to Melanie's Quinceañero to
be held the very next day. And what a fabulous event it was! Held at a large hall
in Barrio Los Angeles with tables and chairs along both sides of the building,
profusely decorated with purple and white balloons, with colored balls covered
in hearts and butterflies hanging from the ceiling, matching table decor,
throbbing lights and pounding music, it was a bigger party than I expected.
When Melanie made her grand entrance through the balloon archway in her
amethyst ball gown, sparkling tiara in her dark hair, jewels around her neck,
walking with her mom and dad, I got choked up. How had the little girl we knew
grown into such a glamorous and elegant young woman in only three years?! Well,
time flies, I guess.
 |
| First dance with Dad |
Unfortunately, I couldn't stay for much of the party because
Winston was at home alone and he is still young enough that being alone at
night is scary for him. According to our neighbors, he howls. So after
Melanie's first dance with her dad and the toast to her Quinceañero, I made my excuses and taxied home. But it was a joy
and an honor to be included with the extended family for this very special
occasion.
Tomorrow night will be another special occasion for me --
Layne is coming home from Oregon, almost two weeks early! The sad reason for
this good news is that the family finally had to find a memory care facility
for his sister due to the inexorable progress of the Alzheimer's. Since the
home care Layne had been helping with was no longer required, he was able to
leave Portland early. We were again fortunate to find a flight using the
airline miles we had so with just a small change fee, he got a flight. Winston
and I are very excited.
And since I know an update on little Winston is probably in
order for his many "fans," I made this rather bumpy video the other day; it's
hard to keep up with the little rascal.
As you can see he is growing like the
proverbial weed and greatly enjoys running like a raving maniac and playing
viciously with his toys. Layne will hardly recognize him from just two weeks
ago, but I know Winston will be overjoyed to see Layne, as will I.
Check
out Layne's book "Moral Turpitude," now available for FREE at
Smashwords.com. High adventure with corporate intrigue, danger and romance;
from the exotic jungles of Borneo and Costa Rica to the erotic jungles of San
Francisco. A great read! Pick up your copy here --https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/159570
No comments:
Post a Comment