April 2, 2006

  • Michael in Stephenville.  It is good to have Rainey back.  She and we were amused at the number of people who were aghast at the idea of her traveling alone to Tepic.  It was as if they thought the journey akin to traveling to the nether world -- with a great likelihood of not returning.  I must constantly point out to folks that it is much more dangerous for Mexicans traveling in the US than it is for Americans traveling in Mexico.  (Out of deference to my Latino friends, I should have said that it is more dangerous for them to travel here than for norte americanos to travel in Mexico.)


    More family lore has emerged since Rainey and Ben returned.  All the family but Rafael, Ramón, and Lorena and their families are staunch Catholics.  Protestants and Mexican Catholics tend to see the world through very different eyes.  Rafael has been calm and at peace with the death of his parents, secure in the knowledge of what is to come.  Consequently, he is considered by some to be unfeeling and disrespectful.  All week, the family met at the big house to pray for Papá's soul during its stay in Purgatory, supplicating Mary and their individual saints to intercede on Papá's behalf.


    Papá has been in poor health for some time, but earlier, before his health declined precipitously, Alma reported a dream in which the siblings were all sitting together at the table -- where their mother, unseen, addressed them.  She explained that she was waiting in Purgatory for Papá because she did not want him to have to make the journey alone, and she announced that it was his time.  She wanted to children to know that she was well, that Papá wanted to go, that they would pass quickly on once he had arrived, and that this would be their final goodbye.  Apparently she announced this the morning of the day he died, simply taking a nap and never awakening.


    Lorena is sounding great.  Rainey reports that she is looking great and is vocalizing much more than she was.  I am really hoping that she starts talking soon.  The nurses have taken her off her evening pastry and coffee and put her on a diet because she has been gaining too much weight.  That is a strong testament to the quality of the care she is receiving because she had lost a shocking amount of weight before she flew to Mexico.  Rainey and the girls tease her about her weight now -- and she laughs delightedly.


    Earlier last week, I heard a news story about stem cell research done on lab animals that had resulted in spinal cord/brain trauma test animals regaining some ability to walk.  However, I have been unable to find any more information on that story.  Please, if anyone out there has any more information, please, please let me know!!!!


    Lorena is happy, and her miracle continues.  To God be the glory.  Thank you for your support and your prayers.