mOOners in Mexico

by Kris

There's a moment each holiday season that defines my Christmas and becomes my special gift; an event or remembrance that is, to me, the joy of the season. Last year my joyful moment happened as Ken and I shopped for the Christmas Eve dinner. I looked up from the refrigerator case of fresh turkeys to see a beautiful older woman. Her resemblance to my late and much adored grandmother, Eileen, who died a week before Christmas 2002 and her 94th birthday, was amazing and slightly overwhelming. My heart took over and I explained my wonder and excitement to this attractive and surprised stranger and asked if she would mind a hug. She seemed thrilled to hug me back and we shared a warm and fulfilling embrace in front of God, Ken, a mountain of packaged poultry, and more than a few surprised shoppers. That was my Christmas Gift; one of the best ever.

Grandma Eileen, my first grandchild, Brody, and me August 1999.

This year, our first away from home and family, we've experienced many sights and sounds that have brought the spirit of the season to my heart. My Christmas Gift, mi regalo Navidad, came unexpectedly late one afternoon as we approached the gate to Roca Azul.

We saw a costumed gathering of children of all ages, accompanied as always, by beaming parents and grandmothers. Our arrival coincided with the beginning of a Posada, the re-enactment of the journey of Mary and Joseph to find lodging for the birth of the Baby Jesus. Posadas occur in neighborhoods throughout Mexico with the processions turned away at homes time and again until the ninth day of the celebration and the final stop representing the stable in Bethlehem.

We drove ahead and situated ourselves to watch and listen. We didn't expect to see a Posada in Roca, a small and quiet residential area of mostly ex-pat retirees. The neighborhood was silent with no awareness of the procession as it moved toward us.

We watched in awe and listened with pleasure as the young Joseph and Mary and their companions sang a traditional Posada song and laughed with each other, obviously enjoying themselves and the honor of portraying Jose y Maria y compadres.They all smiled at us - four very surprised and happy foreigners - somewhat shyly, as the beautiful Mexican children do. They turned around when they passed by, gave us another chance for photographs, and walked out the gate.

We had our own Posada; our special holiday experience and my Christmas gift in this wonderful country that has no shortage of warmth and magic. 

mOOners