It has been a year!

At 2:11 this afternoon I found out that the prayer service for Gerardo's mother was at 3:00pm today. But, let me back up. I started the day with finishing my 3 Fruit Marmalade and then saw Gerardo out picking Guayaba and decided I should make another batch to fill my new containers. Besides, Gerardo brought me a brand new blender so no more borrowing. I was dressed for work. I was part way through with one pot on the stove and preparing the second pot when he came over to tell me about the prayer service. I had 45 minutes to clean up my mess or have ten million ants,  finish the step I was on, turn everything off, get changed and walk over to Dora's house. I smelled like fruit and guayaba from one end to the other but there wasn't time for a shower. They would just have to think it was a new perfume. Now, the brain is spinning. What can I bring. I decided it would have to be one of my new plants. Dora loves flowers. I also had remembered this is the one year anniversary of her death and is a bigger affair. And it was.

They prayed and there was a musician. He has a great voice. I recognized the rosary and the act of contrition and several litanies. Then we took a break for refreshments and back to praying and singing. At the end of about 2 hours we ate again. Refreshments and shebert and potato chips and salad and chicken rice. There must have been 100 people this time, some inside and some outside. The picture had been moved to a long courtyard type area between the kitchen and the bedrooms. There were benches from here and the picture was at one end with red and white draping around it. There were lots of beautiful cut flowers and my flower plant was put right up there with them.

When it was over, Tia would not let me walk home alone so I waited with her for our ride. One of Gerardo's nieces was translating for us and Tia told her she was going to find me a boyfriend. I said that was fine but he would have to move in with me because I didn't want to move.

I got home a little after 6:00pm and went right to work finishing the jelly. One pot is done and in jars and the other pot is cooling.

It has been a good day. What a nice family. There are 10 and so far I remember Gerardo, Ana, Dora, Marta, Flor and Lydia. Now I just need to learn the names of the 4 brothers.