Summer 2013 and the Children

I arrived to the same place where 18 years ago, citizens from this town opened the door for me and welcomed me as a student at North Central Technical College and then as a permanent resident. Who would think that one summer of 1995 I arrived in little Wausau, with no english, no friends and stay there for two years as an exchange student? Who would think that 18 years later, my two children were going to grow up in the same place where I started my international experience and also my family experience. Life is a journey, there is no short cut about it and perhaps now that I am a little bit older, more mature, (I hope) I can understand what Albert Einstein, said: Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.

Summer is here, or maybe summer is almost gone, but it’s still sunny outside, there is the clear Wisconsin River going to the south. I see the green trees at Marathon Park, beautiful gardens around the houses, clean and new cars at the family, (Tealey). People are wearing shorts all over the place in Wausau. This is my summer trip of 2013. This time I am coming from Washington DC. I am happy that I could visit them, I am happy to hold them, hug them and spend time together.

They slept overnight where I stayed, it was nice to wake them up and together go upstairs to make breakfast: a combination of pancakes, fruits, eggs, milk, and sometimes only cereal. Helping them getting ready use to be a big task but now, they contribute a lot. The house is still the same, I just have to look around and I find anything at grandma’s kitchen. Of course inside of the house I always see something added, this time a nice HD TV. Things change too, the neighbor Bernice was friendly to Fred this time, but two years ago, I remember she was mad at Fred because of the new garage building and she thought it was going to block her view. She was mean then but nothing happened. The big surprise for me was to see the new house of Alison, Mayabella and Fernando. Mayabella and Fernando gave me a tour of their new house, and I liked their bedrooms, all three are located in the second floor. Nice kitchen, living room, three bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and the basement were fixed.
I am happy to see the physical improvement of the new house and that they have a nice place to live, play and grow up. Maybe is true the saying that if you buy a house, make sure to make it a home. I used to remember the other house but now I see this new one, and I am happy for the change. Why not to live well when it is possible? The family room was something new in Alison’s place; the size of it, makes it cozy, warm and nice. Enjoy it Alison, you work hard for it, next time perhaps we could drink wine at your patio or in the family room; enjoy it children!

Interacting with nature is always nice, and therefore, I went to Eau clear dells with them, as always I enjoyed the river with rocks, trees and places for picnics. Fred came with us, and we all enjoyed walking and playing seeks and hides in the trees around the river. We knew the path to go and whenever we can, we go there. I ate Chinese food in buffet that day, nothing special but happy to see this place still running and having customers. I drove around the city with classical music from the public Wisconsin radio; it made to leave the noise and any stress behind.

Alison told me about the open house at school, so I was delighted to go in one of the afternoons.
I went to their school, there was an open house to meet their teachers; and I did. She will start kindergarten this fall of 2013 and he will pass to second grade. Haaaa.. They are not babies anymore, as the grandfather says, no more strollers or toys for babies. They are entertaining themselves with computer games, cartoons and Sponge Bob the movie. Both of them want the “iPod” in order to play different games while in the car. I am glad I brought my IPod so, when one of them was using Grandpa’s IPod, the other one was using mine. This is what they did while I was driving to visit the children’s museums and the Zoo, in Madison, the Wisconsin capitol. I took many pictures of them while visiting places. At the end, a way of staying in spirit with them, is watching their smiles in pictures when I am far away. I know they have games at Grandpa and Grandma’s house and also at mama’s house. I only hope they have the balance with technology and human connection.

I am happy to see that they have the equality of opportunities to study and get a healthy development. I don’t know anything about John Marshall, who he was or why this name for this school, however; I know that this educational place located two blocks from their new house will be the institution that will provide them cognitive competencies, skills, and sense of discipline. Family and teachers together will promote on them values and principles that will guide them in life, step by step. Good long-life learning it seems to be the idea of schooling and family participation.

I learned that during the summer, both of them went to Camp Sturtevant in Wausau. This camp is part of the YMCA with the lemma: Strong kids, Strong family and Strong Community. They were part of many activities; they enjoyed it, and for sure the interaction with friends, counselors, teachers and nature will impact their young life.

Papa! Can we be friends? Are we friends? Words of my son after doing something that he thought something might bother me; for example, not listening to instructions when needed. But it could be also my excuse to receive an extra hug from him. Of course we are friends my son, my Fernando Simón. “Papa, I want to tell you something”; this is a way of beginning a conversation with my daughter Mayabella. Mm mm this was a wonderful experience because now they will also get the ability to listen and associate concepts with reality. Their reality combined with the reality of mama, extended family of grandparents, great grandparents, papa and of course of half-sister Sofia.

Grandpa Fred told me that both children are going to be involved in swimming lessons and soccer lessons during this fall. I am happy for them. I guess all of us, as a family and as a community are supporting the children. Grandpa is supporting the kids, and this is an important support that is accompanied with love and joy. Children are happy about it. Fred and I used to drink more wine while talking about politics, republicans, democrats or discussing issues about the role of religion or churches. Everytime we see each other we used to drink wine, but now we drank more water and juices, perhaps we are trying to be healthier. Well, not really, just we were busy.

Grandma Jane was there, she is fine but fighting the terrible cancer for almost 4 years ago. Of course, Jane has an unbelievable positive attitude about it; as always she is a morning person, and hard worker, keeping things in order in the house. When I was waking myself up at 6 am, she was already up and making sure her mother Goldie was fine. Mama Jane never stops sharing the gift of helping others. She is enjoying her flowers planted in the garden, called: “The Healing Garden” with a nice patio. Before that, I saw the garden in a TV documentary about best gardens in town. Fred and Jane were on the local news and through this news, I learned the story of how instead of a trip to Paris, or any other country in Europe, mom decided to start a Garden, because plants were given more to her than they take from her, when taking care of them, that is the saying of mama!. Jane has not lost her delicacies in taking care of details of the beauty plants; also of her good cooking and decoration of tables before eating. Her skills make the environment friendlier, happier, also generates a happy environment for the children.

I was part again of the great tradition of eating fish fry at Pine Wood a beautiful restaurant located in a place next to a lake, and with a garden outside of the city. Also I enjoyed eating Prime Rib at home, and have Apple pie with vanilla ice cream and coffee. This tradition is thanks to Jane and Fred, and I hope never goes away for every time I am there.  I am back to DC when writting this article, missing wonderful times together.

I am happy because Fernando and Mayabella are fine, healthy and happy. Thanks Mama Alison, Grandpa Fred and Grandma Jane. See you soon family, and I pray that the blessing of God stays always with you, peace be always with you.