A 1997 Christmas Letter to Steven and Jenny
And so it is almost Christmas time again and everyone is busy shopping. I go to the tiny shops here in Mexico to find just the right gifts for you. The selection is limited, no Nike shoes or top-of-the-line roller blades here. Cobblestone streets are not conducive to "blading" and any shoes will do for a Mexican child. So what to buy? Perhaps a book or a sweater. Size can be a problem as you grow so rapidly these days. Perhaps a piece of handmade jewelry but would you wear it? And so I ponder this as Christmas draws closer.
And then the solution comes to me. Give the gift that keeps on giving by giving your gift to someone else. Since living in Mexico I have befriended a Mexican family that lives on the shores of Lake Chapala. We visit each day as I take my walks. They are a family of seven, five children and Momma and Poppa. Their home is a tarpaper shack just inches from the water's edge. When it rains, the papers are rolled up so that the rain can run through the shack over the dirt floors. There are no windows and the only light comes through a lopsided wooden door. Each day as I walk by, the children run to greet me. We laugh together and skip along the shore. Words are not necessary as they speak no English and my Spanish "Es malo." I carry a few candies in my pockets and the children play a game trying to find them.
To go to school in Mexico you need two things, a pair of shoes and one clean outfit. Only one of the five children is able to go to school at the present time. There is barely money for food most days for this family. By now you are ahead of me in my story I am sure. Twenty U.S. dollars to one grandchild equals about a movie and a box of popcornor a CD and a Coke, am I right? Twenty U.S. dollars to a Mexican child is the WORLD! A pair of shoes, a pretty dress and tortillas on the table for three days. So with the love and support I know my grandbabies would give me, I went shopping for our Mexican friends. Tiny canvas shoes WITH socks, clips for the girl's hair, belts to keep the boys pants up, tortillas for a week and just enough left over for HERSHEY KISSES. Guess what they liked the most? As I am about to take my leave of this happy scene the children begin to say, "Nada para usted," which I knew meant "Nothing for you." I smiled and said gracias but they pulled me towards the lakeshore. Immediately they scattered and started to search the shallow waters. It wasn't long before they had what they were looking for, bright shiny white shells especially for me. I was thrilled and they were happy they had repaid me for our kindness. The shells were beautiful but the smiles on their faces was payment enough for me.
Well babies, did we do good? Did we give the gift that keeps on giving? I like to think so. The Spanish word for grandchildren is nietos and that is who I told the children had given them the gifts this holiday season. Of course they wanted to meet you both but I told them you lived far, far away. Mexico is a Third World country and what that means is it is a poor underprivileged country, but what they don't tell you about Mexico is, they are happy, proud, friendly people who are content with the life God has given them. We from such a prosperous country as America could learn from our neighbors south of the border. We will have many more Christmases, more birthday parties and more of everything I am sure--but this year, know in your hearts that your gift went to a worthy cause. I feel good inside for doing this, as I know you both do too. Take care, my precious ones, you are in my thoughts always.
As we say here in Mexico""Que le vaya bien," which, loosely translated means, "May everything go well for you."
Love, Grams
|