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My grandparents retired to a ranch in a small town outside of Guadalajara, Mexico. We spent summers riding horses through sugar cane, walking to the brick factory on the other end of the ranch, visiting the town square in the evening, swimming in the beaches of Rincon, embracing the Mexican culture. I wore my first sombrero and chased my first (and last) donkey on this ranch.
My grandmother is one of the greatest influences of my life. Her strength was amazing as well as her desire to laugh and shower her grandchildren with attention and hugs. Never too busy for love.
She was the first person to introduce me to music. Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams--you name it from that era---we played it and sang it together. Her favorite..."Everybody Loves Somebody Sometimes"...is and will forever be a favorite of mine.
She passed away in Mexico and on the night of her passing she came to say good-bye. I was 12 years old, laying in my bed (800 miles away) and woke to see her image. Vivid and brief....it was her standing beside me in her favorite pink robe.
My grandmother has continued these visits off and on throughout my life...particularily, in times of decision making or change. She will visit me in a dream (smiling to say its okay) or I'll hear her reassuring voice in the background of my mind.
I awoke this morning and felt her presence nearby and am so thankful to have her comforting nudge to remind me to put my feet in these "baby" stirrups and ride...
"just remember what really holds you" - the weepies
Here's to the crazy ones.
The misfits. The rebels.
The troublemakers. The round
pegs in the square holes - the
ones who see things differently.
They're not fond of rules and
they have no respect for
the status quo. You can praise
them, disagree with them,
quote them, disbelieve them,
glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing that you
can't do is ignore them.
Because they change things.
- Jack Kerouac
