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
56 comments:
That's fabulous all the way around! Congratulations, Congratulations!!
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.
Thank you, JS! So much.
Lori, yes the enchiladas were wonderful.
Thank you for your enthusiasm!
Your spa break sounds so wonderful!
Many congratulations to Flannery. She's worked hard, she deserves her success. :)
Made me feel very happy and perhaps even a bit more relaxed after reading about the good fortune of a friend and her family.
Akelamalu, yes, she deserves it. Thank you!
Kim, we can all use the relaxation factor these days. I'm glad some vicariousness kicked in for you. : )
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!
I hear you, King, loud and CLEAR.
Wonderful! Awesome! Fantastic! Congratulations and may the journey go smoothly! I'm so glad for you & the family! How exciting!
Love,
Lee
Lee, thanks! Thanks! Thanks!
Love to you, friend.
Congratulations San. Parenting has its many rewards!
I'm glad you popped in, Leslie. Thank you.
Oh that's just wonderful. Hearty congrats to Flannery and to her mom for a well-raised daughter.
Hilary, thank you.
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 ))))
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.
Flan, thank you for giving us some credit. You are very generous-spirited, as ever.
xoxoxoxo
Wonderful!
Karen, you haven't been by in a while. How good to see you here.
Oh, deliciously cool. Congratulations!
Sandy, I knew you would appreciate this turn of events. Thanks.
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.
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
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).
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)))
Oh, what a wonderful evening. and congratulations to your daughter.
Fantastic! 'nuff said -
Congratulations to everyone!!!
Flannery, like her parents (and, I'm sure, her brother), is a gift to our world.
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!
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...
BIG thumbs up Flannery!
And to the parents who gave her wings.
Many more Happy Anniversaries, San & Bennie!
With parents like hers, how could she not succeed all she dreams of? Congratulations Flan!
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!
Maggie, as a strong family person yourself, you know how much such things mean to us. xo
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.
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!
Ellen, thank you, as always.
Perfect word for it, Aims.
Carol, you are most generous. Takes a gift to know one.
Nick, your enthusiasm is a gift. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Ahhhhhh is right, Lime.
Babs, this anniversary was special. Thank you for wishing us many more!
Jo, you are too kind. Such a compliment coming from a world-class mama such as yourself thrills me. Thank you!
Beautiful Mama-San tribute. Congratulations to you, Flannery, MD2B. Lovely crafting here, Sister San.
MD2B--Paschal, if Flannery were the vanity plate type, that would be her next one.
Thank you much.
Congrats to you and your hubby . Daughter deserves it!
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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 :)
You must be so proud of Flannery! Sounds as though you all had a grand time, and wishing I had an enchilada!!!
hugs
Sandi
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
Dude... I am not much into reading, but somehow I got to read lots of articles on your blog. It’s amazing how interesting it is for me to visit you very often. And that is some inspirational stuff. Never knew that opinions could be this varied. Thanks for all the enthusiasm to offer such helpful information here.
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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