Part of the family

by Gary MacDonald
(Red Deer, Alberta)

Our new Mexican friends invited us to stay with them after a four-day introductory visit to Guadalajara in 2007. They were our hosts for 12 days over Christmas in 2008.

Mexicans are known to be hospitable and family oriented. Our friends had already shown these qualities, so we had high expectations.

Soon after we arrived, we made a list of things to do. Some were done, but we were too busy just being together to accomplish some of the "most important" items on the list.

My selfish indulgence, though, was accomplished early. Two pre-teen girls and the father of one of them joined me for a one-hour skate at the local ice arena.

What a thrill for someone who grew up playing hockey! Not every tourist takes his skates to Mexico, I suspect.

But that was not the highlight of our visit. Not even nearly.

We had been invited--and, of course, agreed--to be godparents to one of the girls.

As we shared hugs before leaving for the airport, she was sobbing on my shoulder. What a memory!

Our friends had gone beyond hospitable. They had made us part of their family.

Our fond hope and expectation is that we may be able to welcome them to Alberta, perhaps this year.

Certainly we will see them again in Mexico--perhaps this year as they celebrate Independence Day.