The Wave

My mom and dad are in their early eighties and are fortunate to live very active lives. Their children, five of us, range in ages from 45 and up. I always wonder what would feel like to see my daughter, now almost 14 years old as an adult with kids and even grandchildren.

This past weekend my eldest brother was part of a global event called the DGR (Distinguished Gentleman's Ride). Participants worldwide ride the streets of their city celebrating various causes that are meaningful to the riders. My parents were excited to know their son would ride by an intersection not far from their house. Out they went on a sunny winter day, wearing sweaters and leaving their neck scarves behind because it was a bit warm out. They left the house as they often do but this time to see their son ride by. So many riders participate so my brother reassured them he would wave as he passed by. So there they were, standing on the intersection, along with so many other bystanders, waiting with excitement as the riders approached. My dad with his phone in hand attempting to take a snapshot of my brother complained about the sun rays ruining the shot as they reflected off the phone’s glass causing a glare. My mom, smiling with excitement saying "there he is", my brother waiving at them as he had promised rode by. The moment faded quickly as hundreds of other bikers rode away, the noise of all the motor bikes faded slowly. My parents walked back home, mom sporting an even bigger smile and dad still fussing with his phone trying to figure out why he missed the shot.

As kids our parents have sat down in countless of theaters, school rooms, stood up at parades and sport games. All to see us shine doing what we love. As parents we fuss with the camera, we get there early for the best spot, we always feel proud. We did it then, we do it now, no matter our kid's age, they will always feel like our little ones. And when our kids are small we reassure them we will wave at them so they know we are there for them, so they can spot us among a sea of other parents and relatives. And all those times we stood with excitement help build strong children that one day will wave at their parents, finding them in a crowd full of people to reassure them they have someone looking out for them.

Photo by: FB Moteras Peru

NYC Here We Come!

My daughter has consoled me many times in sad movies and plays because like she says, "You cry like a baby mama". There was that time when we saw the Phantom of the Opera together. She was eight years old and I managed to get us balcony seats on Broadway. How amazing was that trip to our favorite city in the world, we walked through Central Park, jumped on the hotel bed while singing, I felt as young as she was. 

We went to see other musicals but Phantom was our favorite by far. She had only seen it on DVD and I had seen it twice while on tour. I remember during the most moving part of the whole musical, when the Phantom stays alone and his fate is sealed she kept on looking at me to check if I was already crying. When I started crying I peeked at her, she looked up at me with tears in her eyes and we just embraced. We hugged and cried until it was over and then looked at each other and laughed. She cleaned the tears off my cheeks and gave me a kiss.

"You cry so easily in movies and plays mama". She makes fun of me now that she is almost fourteen and we are looking forward to our next New York adventure. And you know what? I don't mind, as long as I always have her to wipe the tears off my face. 

The Velvet Suit

    I was working at a big department store as Visual Merchandiser. The team was large and we took care of all the wonderful displays you often see at such stores. 

Every three months we got a review visit from headquarters. The managers showed up in their best outfits to impress the execs. We, the visual team did as well. I wanted the day over fast, It was uncomfortable to be so dressed up since our work was physically demanding at times. How much I missed my sneakers that day. Instead I had my black fancy flats and black slacks with a nice blouse. "I hope I don't over do it," I thought when getting ready in the morning. I was rest assured when I arrived to work and saw my colleagues dressed in a similar fashion. Except for one of them wearing a blue velvet suit. He had been working five years in that position and was ready to impress the execs for a much awaited promotion. Although we didn't get to walk the floors or break to lunch with the executives, we all hoped for a much deserved team introduction.

The whole day flew by and to our disappointment they didn't get to introduce us. After they left our senior manager went to tell us how impressed they were with our work and how they looked forward for the next visit. 

And there he was, with his blue velvet suit on. He didn't even take the jacket off for lunch. I felt bad, it sucks to try so hard and not even get noticed. Well, truth is he was noticed, by everyone who stared at a man wearing a blue velvet suit in a mall in the middle of summer. 

Weeks later he did get the promotion he wanted. Maybe he did not get any attention that day but his attitude spoke about him louder than words. For five years he had worn his positive attitude like a symbol of commitment and hard work. The day he got promoted I remembered the day I felt awful for him and I learned to never feel bad for anyone that is giving the extra mile. Even if no one is looking positive energy screams so loud it never remains unnoticed.

Romaine and Ketchup

I woke up sweating in the middle of the night. What a gruesome sight it was, I was crushed by a giant romaine lettuce. My bike and I were buried under it, cute basket included. I was surrounded by a pool of blood, although in my curiosity, driven by the fact I was under no pain I decided to give it a taste. "Yep, I said, it's ketchup!" I woke up concerned, what does this mean? 

I have been a vegetarian for years now and in the works of becoming a vegan with hero cape and all. I felt proud of it. I wanted the world to end the slaughter of animals and their byproducts. But could it be? Can vegetables have feelings too? I worried with passion, as it's my favorite way to worry. What am I supposed to eat now? What if It turns out I'm psycho and my veggies have been Janet Leigh in the shower all this time? What a nightmare. I'm some kind of monster and I didn't even know it. How come someone can lose their halo just like that, in a blink of a judgmental cow's...well, in this case veggie's eye. But what am I saying, vegetables don't have eyes, or do they?

That night my boyfriend and I had a date. It was early in the relationship so I still wanted to cause a good impression by hiding the real me and bringing a delightful version of myself to the table. One can become good at that.

The waiter came. He offered the specials to us. Which I knew would be lacking of some vegetarian options for me. He proudly stated them, after he recited a list of unresponsive animals with nice side options and sauces I asked. "Do you have any kitty or doggy perhaps?" To what he looked at me appalled and after hearing my boyfriend chuckle I asked. "No? Well in that case how about any vegetarian options for me?" He said with a frown, "We have vegetables on a skewer..." to what I immediately yelped. I couldn't imagine the kind of dreams I would have if I ate that tonight. They were both staring at me. I looked kindly and said. "I have the hiccups, sorry, please continue." He said, "We also have Caesar salad with romaine lettuce. I can bring you a side of French fries with ketchup..." I yelped again. "Sorry, I said. I need to go to the restroom, these hiccups are driving me nuts,"

Instead I went out the front door and walked out. I needed some fresh air. "What are you trying to tell me." I yelled to the skies as I walked away from the window hoping my puzzled boyfriend did not catch a glance of my lunacy. I heard no reply from the skies but I did find myself in an alley, I guess I had walked far enough without noticing. A dark, smelly alley that led to the restaurant's kitchen side door, this alley had no way out. "Psst." I heard. I jumped faster than my kitty on catnip. A silhouette was talking to me from the corner next to some empty vegetable crates. My voice trembled. "Who are you?" I asked. "Come into the light." He said. I came close and he said. "I'm Romaine." It was him, in the leaf! He lit his cigarette and offered me one. I said to him. "I don't smoke, those things can kill you you know?" "Well," he said, "what do I have to lose, you are about to order." "Oh no, he is on to me and he is coming for revenge." I thought. He laughed, "Don't worry, that is not why I'm here. I need a favor from you and you owe me. For all the Caesar salads you've ordered and chomped. You got quite a set of chompers there." He puffed his cigarette once more. "I know, my boyfriend says the same." I said. He did not laugh. "Ok" I said. "Anything you want. Shoot!"

"You see, years ago my girl and I were farm animals and so in love. But as destiny had in store for all of us farm begins we were both up in line for slaughter. We yearned to be free to have sex, lots of sex. "Oh" I said, "I can relate to that." "Please don't interrupt." He said and continued. "We wished for a way out and prayed for a miracle. We wanted to become a plant, a leafy watery plant with no flavor or odor to ensure no one would want to eat us. As we were wishing for it it was her turn, she was slaughtered right before my eyes. I yelped once again but did not dare to interrupt him this time. He continued. "Right there our wish came true but a second too late. I became Romaine and she became Ketchup. You see, how it's quite tragic? Because no one orders us together. No one! If only our lips could touch once more, we can be together again." "I can order it!" I said excited. "It will be a terrible meal but I will do it. It will be an honor, I won't fail you Romaine, I promise." He said thank you and blew a big cloud of smoke at my face. I coughed and coughed and coughed some more. I am very allergic to cigarette smoke you know. "Yuk Romaine, you blew it straight to my face!" To my surprise he was gone. "Romaine? Rommey? Romaine!!! I yelled and heard no answer. I turned around towards the restaurant and bumped into my boyfriend right away. "Are you ok?" He asked concerned. "Never been better" I said. "Are you ready to eat? I'm starving." "Sure?" He said confused.

As we were walking inside the restaurant I told him. "You know what I crave right now?" "Romaine?" He asked. His voiced trembled a little bit, I guess he was getting a glimpse of the real me for the first time. "Yes!" I cried excited "Romaine salad and ketchup." "With fries?" He asked. "Nope, just on the side. I hear it is the latest veggie rage."

And with that I can attest Romaine would do anything to steal a kiss from Ketchup and veggies have feelings too.