Friday, March 11, 2011

The Whole Enchilada

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...


 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...
 
With Alumni Citizenship Award, UNM, 2008


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...


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



56 comments:

jsd said...

That's fabulous all the way around! Congratulations, Congratulations!!

Lori Skoog said...

I love everything about this post. All things happen for a reason...wow!
So happy for your daughter (and you and your husband did not have too bad of a time either). I'll bet your enchiladas were great.

San said...

Thank you, JS! So much.

San said...

Lori, yes the enchiladas were wonderful.

Thank you for your enthusiasm!

Akelamalu said...

Your spa break sounds so wonderful!


Many congratulations to Flannery. She's worked hard, she deserves her success. :)

Kim said...

Made me feel very happy and perhaps even a bit more relaxed after reading about the good fortune of a friend and her family.

San said...

Akelamalu, yes, she deserves it. Thank you!

San said...

Kim, we can all use the relaxation factor these days. I'm glad some vicariousness kicked in for you. : )

Bennie said...

Thank you sweetheart for this lovely post honoring Miss Leigh. And thank you My Person, for your intellect, generosity of spirit, tenacity, and for making your Dad sooooooo damn proud!

San said...

I hear you, King, loud and CLEAR.

Lee said...

Wonderful! Awesome! Fantastic! Congratulations and may the journey go smoothly! I'm so glad for you & the family! How exciting!

Love,
Lee

San said...

Lee, thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

Love to you, friend.

Leslie Avon Miller said...

Congratulations San. Parenting has its many rewards!

San said...

I'm glad you popped in, Leslie. Thank you.

Hilary said...

Oh that's just wonderful. Hearty congrats to Flannery and to her mom for a well-raised daughter.

San said...

Hilary, thank you.

Thumbelina said...

Congratulations Flannery!!
And to you San and hubby. Sounds like a most beautiful and thoughtful anniversary present. I am not in the slightest surprised at your daughter's achievement or at her and Oakley's gift to you and their father.
I am not surprised... because she is like her mother.
Thank you for nudging me.
(((( San ))))

Unknown said...

I have the best parents EVER! I would have never gotten this far without you guys. I love you so much. Thank you for all of the support over the years.

San said...

Flan, thank you for giving us some credit. You are very generous-spirited, as ever.

xoxoxoxo

Unknown said...

Wonderful!

San said...

Karen, you haven't been by in a while. How good to see you here.

SandyCarlson said...

Oh, deliciously cool. Congratulations!

San said...

Sandy, I knew you would appreciate this turn of events. Thanks.

Raven said...

Well, what glorious news about your daughter. You must be so proud.

Your tea cups in the moonlight sound pretty wonderful to and that enchilada looks awesome. Congrats all around. May the good luck and blessings keep pouring in.

Maggie May said...

I am pleased that life is treating you and your lovely family well. Your daughter is a lovely, talented woman.
Love all the photos.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Shrinky said...

Life is good, indeed! Oh San, what a perfectly wonderful day, from start to finish - sometimes everything in the universse simply slips into place, doesn't it?

I can only imagine how thrilled and proud you are at your lovely daughter's wonderful news - I know how competitive it must be to achieve a place there, she has obviously worked very, very hard to have gained it - much credit to her AND to her family (smile).

Daryl said...

Mazel Tov .. oh you and Bennie and Oakley have every right to be kvelling .. crowing .. shouting from the mesa .. she's a beautiful (I think she looks like a pretty Bennie!), smart, talented and compassionate woman ... she'll make an excellent doctor ...

(((San)))

ellen abbott said...

Oh, what a wonderful evening. and congratulations to your daughter.

aims said...

Fantastic! 'nuff said -

Carol said...

Congratulations to everyone!!!

Flannery, like her parents (and, I'm sure, her brother), is a gift to our world.

Unknown said...

Wow! wOw! WOW! What a wonderful 2 days!

Congratulations,Flannery! You are quite a women.

Congratulations, San, you raised a remarkable daughter!

My blessings to all!

lime said...

no wonder you are so proud. what a wonderful young woman you have raised. congrats to her.

and the bath and dessert sound wonderful too....ahhhhh...

~Babs said...

BIG thumbs up Flannery!
And to the parents who gave her wings.
Many more Happy Anniversaries, San & Bennie!

Celebration of Life said...

With parents like hers, how could she not succeed all she dreams of? Congratulations Flan!

San said...

Raven, thanks so much. As wonderful as the chocolate enchilada looks, it's not what we were offered by the manager--he gave us main course enchiladas, with blue corn tortillas, green chile, and chicken, on the house. Very satisfying.

The dessert enchilada is what I offered to Flannery, metaphorically. It does look scrumptious, doesn't it? But your wish for the luck and blessings to keep pouring in--that's even better. Back atcha, friend!

San said...

Maggie, as a strong family person yourself, you know how much such things mean to us. xo

San said...

Shrinky, "sometimes everything in the universse simply slips into place, doesn't it?" You always know how to put things just perfectly. Thank you for multiplying our joy quotient. Can quotients be multiplied? Of course, when the quotient in question is JOY.

San said...

Oh Daryl, the idea of "kvelling from the mesa" is oh-so-multicultural. Leave it to a New Yorker to come up with such a perfect means of celebrating.

Cheers!

San said...

Ellen, thank you, as always.

San said...

Perfect word for it, Aims.

San said...

Carol, you are most generous. Takes a gift to know one.

San said...

Nick, your enthusiasm is a gift. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

San said...

Ahhhhhh is right, Lime.

San said...

Babs, this anniversary was special. Thank you for wishing us many more!

San said...

Jo, you are too kind. Such a compliment coming from a world-class mama such as yourself thrills me. Thank you!

murat11 said...

Beautiful Mama-San tribute. Congratulations to you, Flannery, MD2B. Lovely crafting here, Sister San.

San said...

MD2B--Paschal, if Flannery were the vanity plate type, that would be her next one.

Thank you much.

Kate said...

Congrats to you and your hubby . Daughter deserves it!
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San said...

Thanks for visiting, Kate.

myonlyphoto said...

San dear this is beautiful, and congratulations. Wow spa sounded so so good ... Hope all is well, and by reading your post it must be. Anna :)

Sandi McBride said...

You must be so proud of Flannery! Sounds as though you all had a grand time, and wishing I had an enchilada!!!
hugs
Sandi

RiverPoet said...

Wow! Congratulations to Flannery! Just please tell her to never forget that she is truly blessed with brains and a supportive family but that she should never let it go to her head when she becomes a wildly successful doctor. I just got done dealing with a doctor who seemed to think she hung the moon. That's a whole other story.

On another note, the story of the blue enchiladas made me SO HUNGRY! :-)

Peace - D

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Kate said...

Oh my ! Hot bath/spa have magical effect , I know! Woman of substance can best describe this young lady! Having achieved Alumni Citizenship award at this age is no joke!Some people are born achievers! Keeping going girl..
And that lovely chocolate tortilla looks yummy..
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