Bennie and I indulged ourselves in the Ichiban Super Premium Private Hot Bath (actually, Baths--his and hers, in the form of sea-colored, oversize ceramic teacups) at Ten Thousand Waves, a lovely Japanese-style spa just outside Santa Fe. We did this Tuesday evening...
I stretched out in my big ceramic teacup, gazing at the crescent moon, breathing in the mountain air. I felt myself swaying back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, hypnotized by the air, the soothing water, the moon. Life is good, Life is good, Life is good. The alchemy of the cedar-scented sauna transformed the tiniest care into drops of perspiration. We poured water over our heads in the sit-down showers, then returned to the teacups. A nice rhythm was established--from sauna to shower to sweetly swaying bath. And back again. Life is good, life is good, life is good. The occasion was a much-delayed (since January 2nd) anniversary celebration, a gift of our generous children.
Afterwards we drove to a little restaurant in town, famished. The manager, whom we'd never met, walked over to our table and told us he wanted us to have the blue corn chicken enchiladas, on the house. Now this kind of thing just doesn't happen--being offered free food, out of the blue, by a stranger, on a Tuesday night, in downtown Santa Fe. But it did. And the enchiladas were oh-so-satisfying. Bennie said, "I guess this is our lucky night." Yes, that night I fell asleep as my head touched the pillow. I dreamed of being swayed by 10,000 waves, in a sea-colored, oversize ceramic teacup, in the middle of the high desert, under a crescent moon.
Next morning we got the phone call. Daughter Flannery had been accepted into medical school at the University of New Mexico. It's been quite a journey for her, getting to this significant milestone in her career, a balancing act of the highest order...
With Alumni Citizenship Award, UNM, 2008
Next morning we got the phone call. Daughter Flannery had been accepted into medical school at the University of New Mexico. It's been quite a journey for her, getting to this significant milestone in her career, a balancing act of the highest order...
Flannery in El Salvador, Summer 2010
At times the wait has been tedious...
Flannery with her brother Oakley
Presidential Scholars Banquet, 2008
There have been setbacks and challenges and long distances to travel...
After her first half-marathon, 2007
But Flannery began her training many years ago, in kindergarten. Early on, she was recognized for her strong citizenship...
Every Friday she came home from school, her arms laden with boxes of Power Popcorn, a reward for her "Positive Power."
With her dad, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
And she has continued working to make a difference to this day...
She has proven herself, time and again, to be a young woman of tenacity, brilliance, and genuine goodness--deep down, and outwardly, in her actions in the world.
She is richly deserving of having reached this latest plateau. Take a deep breath, my lovely, and enjoy the view...
She is richly deserving of having reached this latest plateau. Take a deep breath, my lovely, and enjoy the view...
El Salvador, Summer 2010
When her dad and I were offered free enchiladas on Tuesday night, it was an omen. THE WHOLE ENCHILADA, with the very best trimmings, was set to arrive for Our Person...
Chocolate Tortilla Ice Cream Enchilada with Strawberries on the Side
Dig in, Babe! It's on the house. (After all, you built the house.)
All my love,
Mom
