Rollercoaster Weekend

It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster weekend.  It all began with the emotional highs of celebrating my nephew’s 15^th birthday! We celebrated him along with ten of his friends at Fountain Valley Bowl.  The years have gone too quickly, just yesterday I was afraid to hold him in my arms because he was a tiny babe!  Now, one of the tallest in his group, I still find myself as in awe of him as that first day I met him outside the womb.  He’s just beginning his passage towards adulthood and I can still see glimpses of a child, when he’s not putting up the teenage bravado.  On this day, he was all smiles surrounded by his teen posey and from the margins I got to share in his celebration as we gave him the space to claim his independence.  Though, when it was time for the cake, I did embarrass him by corralling all the kids to sing him a very high-pitched birthday tune.

Following the mini quinceañera, I headed to my friend’s house for my annual Christmas dinner gathering. After a year hiatus we were able to come together and celebrate the birth of Jesus together as friends and sisters in Christ.  It was great to see each other because even now the gatherings are quite scattered and rare.  The children as always show us that even though we all come from humble, turbulent beginnings we are choosing to give our future generation a better life, not just materially, but also by being more loving and trying to correct the wrongs we experienced.

On Sunday, I woke up to the news that the one celebrity that has become an integral part of my family’s history had passed.  Vicente Fernandez or “Chente” as many of us affectionally called him had gone on to serande Our Lady of Gudalupe on her day.  That night we gathered as a family to watch Chente’s wake and were surprised by a concert given by the Mariachi Azteca who accompanied him for over forty years at El Rancho Los Tres Potrillos.  The family opened their doors to the ranch’s arena for the pueblo to come and say good bye to their beloved star and from the screen of our home my family gathered to pay our respects.  We cried like we have never mourned a celebrity while we saw his family and loved ones stand guard at his coffin.  We recalled all those wonderful memories he gave us and the many songs that have nurtured us throughout our years.  At first he was boracho music (Sigo Siendo El Rey), or songs that we played when our hearts were broken (La Diferencia), or when we lost a loved one (Mi Querido Viejo), or when we found out my sister was pregnant (Hermoso Cariño), or when my nephew crawled dance to “Estos Celos” and we used the “Para Siempre” soundtrack as his lullabies… Eventually his music interwined with our memories.  It felt like the closing of the Ranchera golden era, a death of a tradition, a loss of the good ol’ days.  It was also quite fitting that as a family we gathered to watch “El Ultimo Adios” like we used to gather so many times around the TV screen to see his movies in the eighties and nineties.  

   

My Technology Break

For Thanksgiving Break I wanted a break from all technology so forgive me for going MIA for a couple of weeks.  I was tired, burned out from being in front of a screen that as a gift to myself I took some time off.  During that break I did many things that inspired as well as refreshed me.  I began with a visit to the new Saint Michael’s Abbey- I hadn’t been to the new relocation site, since accidently driving there once when it was just a patch of dirt.  While the construction continues the abbey is now open to the public!  I was able to see some of the artists working on the murals for each of the chapels.  It was great to be inside and witness how the place of worship slowly comes together.  I can’t wait until the Abbey Church is completed!

That first Monday of my Thanksgiving Break, I drove up there in the mid-morning hours to avoid traffic and the drive especially when I made it up to the hills was so relaxingly peaceful.  I loved feeling like the road was for me only because I got to enjoy the gorgeous Silverado Hills.  I entered into God’s presence as I drove towards the abbey and when I arrived there were only two people in the Church in addition to the quiet artists painting away.  I walked very slowly touring the main Church just admiring the architectural design and the work that was slowly underway.  I got to see the dedication chapels blank just holding the name of the saint that would soon be depicted in colors.  It was quite exciting to see that many saints that I hold dear will have a chapel dedicated to them and hold their relics! 

While I sat there enjoying the sun shinning through stained glass windows, I knew that like the old abbey this place would become a favorite praying spot, a place close to home to retrieve to in moments of needed spiritual fueling.  I lost track of time and soon I was praying the Sext along with the Norbertine Fathers and seminarians.  It was such a treat to listen to them chant!

Spending half of the day at the abbey was the best way to begin a week that has been so instrumental in finding relief from all the stress that I felt.  My time off with each activity added life to my burning candle and now I feel so ready for Advent and for celebrating the birth of our Savior.  Next on my list, confession so that my heart is pure to receive the Babe Jesus.