Moments--For Mother's Day

There are these moments in Mexico, one of which erupted at 1:17 this morning, just as I had truly and soundly fallen asleep after a very long and full day.

I was awakened by a squeal, a bang, a crash, an explosion of sound that nearly lifted me from the mattress.

No, it wasn't a gas truck smashing into my front gate. It was the banda, our local "musicians", appearing at 1:17 in the morning to perform for someone's birthday a half block away. You can't imagine how loud was this cacophony. They may as well have been under my bed: drums, drums, drums, tuba, trumpets and more horns, pounding out Las Mañanitas, the Mexican birthday song, followed by an assortment of other less melodic tunes which went on for nearly half an hour at full volume.

At moments like these, I have been known to decide that I've had it: I'm leaving Mexico tomorrow. What kind of insanity is this? Who's idea was it that the banda should play for the entire neighborhood in the middle of a soft, cool, quiet night with the sound of surf as soothing as a mother's touch?

I'm accustomed to the roosters, which crow pretty much twenty-four hours a day. I rather enjoy the cohetes and other fireworks, the ultra-light which buzzes over the village at sunset sounding like a flying lawnmower, the blaring announcements from delivery trucks that invariably arrive just at siesta time, the blast of the camote man's whistle as he peddles his baked yams...all sounds that have been known to drive other Northerners crazy.

I was just so NOT in the mood last night to be "serenaded" by our (still learning) troupe of music men.

I got up grumbling and closed my windows, grabbed my trusty wax earplugs from the drawer beside my bed, and finally fell back to sleep just as they were finishing their last honks and drum flourishes.

This morning, in the light of a gentle blue day, I was cheered by the thoughts and photos of some other moments that arrived yesterday like Glinda floating up in her golden bubble.

I was on the patio at Sheri's house when I saw the flock of goats that spend days grazing in the big field scampering toward me. One of them had spotted a pile of garden prunings tossed over a house wall next door.

The little ones are growing fast but are still so cute.

Sheri and I walked to the beach for sunset and more farewells. The beach was glorious yesterday, the water a brilliant deep blue, a soft breeze stirring the palapa palms, the sand freshly swept by the surf. We sat a big table and watched as yet another divine sunset bloomed.

I swear I did nothing to enhance this photo.

I'd spent much of the day at the beach, too, having a lengthy lunch with Tom from La Peñita, who, when his partner Bruce is in the States working, is wont to wander. Tom is a good backroads explorer and we enjoyed sharing tales of our travels through Mexico. He is starting a new website where he'll publish his trip reports. I'll link to it when he gives me the go-ahead.

I spotted this Big Bird on a branch beside the estuary. I think I recognized it from the boat trip up the river near San Blas, but had never seen one in San Pancho. I'll look up it's name later.

As we left the beach, walking through our now calm Malecon, my little buddy Javier, the child of a family of basket weavers whom I've told you about before, romped up to me with a grin. I met Javi when he was three years old. He turns nine later this month.

He handed me a basket filled with magenta bougainvilleas and announced that it was for Día de Madre. 

"Javier!" I said. "This is for me?"

He bounced with pleasure.

"The basket, too?" I asked.

"Yes," he said, in Spanish of course, although he is learning more English all the time. "AND there are surprises under the flowers!"

I thanked him and gave him some kisses and cuddles. When I returned home and removed the thorny branch of flowers from the basket, I was delighted by his resourcefulness. I found jewels!

I have no idea where he found these gifts. The bracelet is possibly made by his family as it is woven like a basket. The huge necklace is a mystery, as is this magnificent piece which I proudly wore for the rest of the day and night:

Diamonds! An adornment fit for a goddess, I'm sure you'll agree.

So subtle and tasteful, isn't it? Don't worry, it fits fine. It's adjustable.

Okay. So everything in life is a balance. The unpleasant and difficult on one side of the scales, the delightful and joyful on the other. How do the scales tip? That's always the question, isn't it?

I guess I'll stick around for a while.

Happy Mother's Day, all you goddesses out there. I'll be thinking of you with love as I sit on the beach with another goddess, treating ourselves to a game and Sunday brunch with our feet in the sand.

♥    ♥    ♥

Addendum: Ah, what a fool I am, and suitably abashed. In my wanders today, which included a long Rummikub tournament and lunch at La Playa, I spoke with Hansel, our waiter. He reminded me that today, Friday, May 10, not Sunday, May 12 as in the U.S., is Mother's Day in Mexico. The banda which exuberated outside my window overnight, and other bandas performing around the pueblo all through the evening and (according to other yawning folks I spoke with) well into the hours before dawn, were celebrating mamas, not birthdays.

According to Hansel, it is a great joke and gift to send the banda in the middle of the night to wake up Mama, who often responds by rising from her bed and making coffee and treats for the band members. His warmth in recounting the tale, his pleasure at memories of doing the same for his own mama, made my soul cringe in remorse. How could I have not known this? What does a night of inconvenience really matter in the face of this passionate salute to hardworking Mexican mothers? Again, a reminder that this culture so different from my other one has its own private humor and traditional expressions of love. 

I must go now and ponder my intolerance and lack of understanding...during a nice long siesta. 

Comments

[Tom Plattenberger]

Thanks for a nice afternoon on the beach and the generous compliments, Candice. I just yesterday posted my first photoessay on my new site. I will send you a link.

Tom

[Sheri]

I guess there were no mothers in my neighborhood that night . I heard the drums in the distance but once I realized that it wasn't my fan breaking down, I relaxed into those rhythms and slept like a baby. Thanks for sharing the insight.

[Sheri]

I have loved being here and getting to spend some wonderful times with you. I haven't left yet but I already can't wait to come back to home sweet San Pancho. Big hugs to you my dear one. S

[Jeanne]

How sweet of Javier! Happy Mother's Day!

[Travis]

Ha! The only thing more exquisite than the ring is the mea culpa/addendum at the end. ¡Feliz Dia de la Madre!