Local Profile: Maria del-Carmen Romero Aviña, by Daria Hilton

LOCAL PROFILE: Maria Del Carmen Romero Aviña

By Daria Hilton

Sometimes it is hard to believe in the innate good-

ness of humanity. Fortunately, there are those people on this planet who radiate goodness with such profound and humble purity they restore your faith. Maria Del Carmen Romero Aviña is one of those people. A Chapala native who met and married the love of her life, Jose, at the tender age of 15, Maria faced unimaginable hardships as the young mom of a special needs son. She met these challenges with fierce determination, tenacious resourcefulness and, most of all, love. The many medical interventions her son, Juan, required led Maria to a career in nursing, but this path was more of a steep, boulder-strewn, densely forested mountain trail than the road more traveled.

Juan Jose Vazquez Romero, affectionately known as Juanito, was born March 1st, 1990. Soon after his birth, he was diagnosed with a severe form of cerebral palsy. Juanito would never walk or talk and needed 24-hour care. He was prone to seizures and was prescribed expensive anti-convulsive medication in addition to a host of other medications and therapies. He could also light up a room with his smile and melt the most callous heart. He loved bright colored toys and the company of his family.

The early years for Jose and Maria were financially tough. To save money, they lived in a crumbling brick and cement structure with a cardboard roof that barely qualified as a house. One year, the scorpions were so abundant they had to tack blankets to the ceiling to keep the baby safe. Jose worked hard only to see most of his income funneled into medical care for his son. Maria’s full-time job was the care of Juanito, but she sold fruit, churritos, and shave ice in front of her house to contribute to her family’s income. In addition to almost endless medical appointments, Juanito had therapy four times a week, two days in Chapala at the D.I.F. and two days in La Floresta. Sometimes scraping up the 10 pesos that the D.I.F. charged was a challenge. To this day, Maria is grateful to her American angel, Wanda, for driving her to the La Floresta therapies, thus saving her both the bus fare and the physical burden of carrying her son.

Maria’s first foray into the nursing world came in the mid-1990s when the mayor’s office offered a small course in Tepehua teaching basic nursing skills, like how to wrap a bandage and how to give injections. At first, Maria’s interest in nursing lay only in being able to competently administer her son’s medications. A caring person to her core, a career in medical care simmered on some forgotten back burner for the next two decades. In the meantime, Maria’s parents and most of her siblings moved to the United States, where she herself had spent half of her childhood, and decided to stay North. Jose and Maria’s growing family, which would eventually include three daughters, moved into Maria’s parents’ house. Though the accommodations were better, the challenges remained.

In 2001, the unthinkable happened; Juanito passed away. Despite the strength of her faith and the sure knowledge that she will see her son again in heaven, no mother survives the death of a child without deep anguish. Maria surely found strength in the love of her husband, the laughter of her surviving children, the beauty of nature, and her trust in God. But I think it is the fighter in her, the woman who defended and protected her son against all odds that got her through this dark time. As poet Caitlin Seida wrote about hope,

“It’s what thrives in the discards

And survives in the ugliest parts of our world,

Able to find a way to go on

When nothing else can even find a way in.”

Hope, faith, and perseverance are not for the weak of heart. Maria has all three in spades and a fierce heart that can contain them.

It was this spirit that served Maria well when the opportunity to enter the nursing profession presented itself some years later when she worked at an Ajijic bed and breakfast. One of the usual tenants there was a plastic surgeon named Dr. Benjamin Villaran. On occasion, some of his patients would stay at the B&B to recover from their surgeries. Dr. Villaran enlisted Maria to assist him in their care and in doing so ignited the spark of her desire to become a nurse. Nursing school was prohibitively expensive. There was, however, a free course offered by Donna Hall that taught general nursing skills and geriatric care. Maria enrolled immediately and spent every Saturday for the next year learning new skills and volunteering at local nursing homes, all while keeping her full-time job and raising her three daughters.

This training sufficed for a time, but Maria wanted to further her career with a more formal degree. She entered La Escuela de la Ribera de Doctores to become a certified nurse. The two-year program came with a 7,500 peso per year price tag. Maria worked extra hours to come up with the tuition. Buying the expensive textbooks was out of the question, so she photocopied chapters from her classmates’ books when finances allowed. She finished her program with honors and now works in the medical field in the office of an ophthalmologist. She also provides in-home care as the opportunity arises.

Maria admitted that her dream is to open a nursing home but sees this as a near impossible goal. When Maria talks about patient care, her eyes light up and her passion for her profession fairly oozes out of her pores. When discussing her volunteer time at nursing homes, she teared up a bit recalling those patients who never had visitors. She envisions a place where human dignity is valued over profit, and senior patients are treated with the love and respect they deserve as elders.

Every year on his birthday the family visits Juanito’s gravesite to bring him a healthy slice of cake. This year Maria’s granddaughter insisted they bring an even bigger piece than usual in case Juanito was extra hungry. This concern that a little girl has for the uncle she never met epitomizes the goodness that defines Maria and her family too. It is my scrappy hope that Maria does one day open that nursing home, and that she names it after her inspiration: Juanito’s. Daria Hilton

Kim LeMieux Email: kimslakesideliving@gmail.com

The Lake Chapala Society hosts Open Circle , a popular community gathering in Ajijic, every Sunday at 10:30 a.m., where attendees enjoy a diverse range of presentations. Enter by the side gate on Ramón Corona; gate opens at 9:30 a.m. We recommend bringing a hat and bottled water, and please remove containers upon departure. Use of mask is optional.

Please make your reservation if you want to attend. https://opencircleajijic.org/ reservation_form.php

Check their website for upcoming presentations, and if you missed a past presentation, you could still enjoy it on line. https://opencircleajijic.org/

June 5. Tran immigrants, The Rhizome Center for Migrants. “Despite the fact that Mexico receives, on average, more than 15,000 displaced persons each month, there are very few resources dedicated to serving their specific needs.”

We believe that immigration status and citizenship do not form the basis for discrimination and abuse. Nor do rights terminate at the border. Our beliefs push us to enhance access to justice and to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms even after someone has been deported. We are the first and only legal aid clinic south of the border focused entirely on providing post-deportation legal services to the deported community. Our Mexico Project focuses on strengthening and expanding legal and reintegration resources for at-risk deportees and returnees.

June 12. Kelly Bennett, Meditation on the Go!

June 19. Daniel Acuff, Ph.D., M.S.P. (Masters

in Spiritual Psychology)

Extraordinary Living: A Personal Enhancement Presentation. With Dr. Acuff as a guide, as a participant you can expect to explore various important keys to creating an extraordinary life experience. You will be invited and sometimes challenged to look at questions related to how you are currently fulfilling your needs and how this leads to your level of happiness. A high and consistent degree of happiness is a goal of extraordinary living. Dr. Acuff has been a conference speaker and workshop leader in front of more than 6,000 participants around the globe, from South Africa to Norway. He has led seminars and workshops on topics such as relationships, breakthrough performance, success, excellence of communication, handling of breakdowns, integrity, creativity, self-expression, leadership, health and fitness, excellence, commitment and sex and intimacy. He is the author of 14 books and a variety of articles related to human needs and motivation, communication, and relationship. The titles of his most important works to date are: Project Happiness – 9 Keys to Creating Extraordinary Happiness; Relationship RX: 7 Keys to Creating an Extraordinary Relationship; and two life-transforming spiritual adventure novels: The Mysteries of Quan and God Lied –What’s Really Going on Here.

Symphonic Traditions with the Lake Chapala Orchestra June 17 and 18. During the past few months, the Lake Chapala Orchestra (formerly Lake Chapala Community Orchestra) has developed by leaps and bounds as a fully-fledged symphony orchestra, now capable of playing several standard symphonic repertoires. The appointment of some very experienced string players has had a significant impact on the overall technical ability of the ensemble. The orchestra’s conductor, Michael Reason, has carefully crafted the orchestra to a stage where they can tackle the symphonies of Beethoven and the concertos of Mozart. “The orchestra has come a long way in 3.5 years, and the Lakeside area now has a semi-professional orchestra that all residents can be proud of,” says Reason. The new improved and dynamic Lake Chapala Orchestra will showcase itself at its next concerts on Friday, June 17, and Saturday, June 18. A program entitled “Symphonic Traditions” will be the first time the orchestra has presented a traditional orchestral concert—an overture, a concerto and a symphony. Starting with the dramatic overture to the opera Der Freischutz (The Marksman), the central work in the program will be Bach’s ever-popular Brandenburg Concerto No. 4. Three soloists from the orchestra, Diego Miramontes, Juan Reyes and Susanne Bullock, will take center stage in this challenging piece. The final work will be Schumann’s Symphony No. 3. “The Schumann symphony is one of the most uplifting, joyful and popular orchestral works from the 19th century,” comments Reason. “It basically gives a musical portrayal of life on the Rhine River. Gorgeous melodies and a blazing finale that is just 100% excitement!” Preceding each piece Reason will provide background details to the music. Visual projections accompanying the music will give a multi-media element to the concert. The “Symphonic Traditions” concerts will be held at Lakeside Presbyterian Church, 250 San Jorge, Riberas, at 3:00 p.m. on both days. There are only 100 seats available for each performance. Tickets are $300 and can be ordered by emailing LCCOtickets@gmail.com June 24, 25 and 26. For June, Bare Stage Theatre’s production is Scenes from American Life by A. R. Gurney, who was born in 1930, attended the Yale School of Drama, taught literature at M.I.T., then moved to New York in 1982 to devote more time to writing for the theatre. He may be best known for his play, Love Letters, but he regards Scenes as the play that launched his professional career, winning him the 1971 Drama Desk Award for Most Promising Playwright. He is now a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame Scenes from American Life is a youthful look at the hypocrisy of adult life, told through a series of vignettes spanning four decades, ending in 1981 and involving over 100 characters in WASP-y New England. It journeys through the midcentury to a prophetic future, which, turns out to be today! The view is wry and satiric, sometimes wistful and, eventually, mordant. Despite its often-cheerful surface, in ‘Gurneyland’ complacency is its own nemesis. Daniel Acuff Rosann Balbontin directs Mark Donaldson, Sharon Jarvis, Kathleen Morris, Roxanne Rosenblatt, John Ward and Tony Wilshere in interchanging roles playing adults and their own children . . . a “tour de force” for actors! Shows are June 24, 25 and 26. Doors open at 3:00, curtain is at 4:00. Tickets are $200. RESERVE NOW at barestagetheatre2018@gmail.com. We are located at #261 on the mountain side of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar across from the Catholic Church. Seats are held till 3:50 p.m. We still request maskwearing out of respect for our fellow audience members and our actors. Curtains will be open for air flow, thanks. Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/barestagetheatre2018/

June 17, 18 and 19. The next production for LLT will be Match by Stephen Belber, directed by Lynn Gutstadt.

Show dates and times: Friday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, June 18 and 19 at 4:00 p.m.

Match is a portrait of a charming, garrulous and profoundly sad Tobi Powell, an aging dancer, choreographer and teacher who enjoys knit-

ting.

“Uproariously funny, deeply moving, enthralling theater, Match has great beauty and tenderness, and abounds in wit.” – NY Daily News

Tickets are $200 and may be purchased online (www.lakesidelittletheatre.com) or check our website for box office hours for this show. Reserved seating – McIntosh Auditorium.

June 24. Alex Holland and Steve Montenko will perform June 24, and the last Friday every month, at La Pacena, Ajijic, starting at 12:30. All tips donated to FoodBank Lakeside

Classic folk-rock. A gourmet seafood lunch in a garden setting. featuring Steve on acoustic guitar and vocals, Alex on bass, cover the legendary singer-songwriters of the 70s and beyond, plus a few tasty originals. All tips go directly to FoodBank Lakeside. Steve is the Volunteer Coordinator for the FoodBank. Alex is an internationally recognized expert in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and a former professional bass player.

Alex Holland and Steve Montenko

OH FATHER

By Jenny Robertson

Oh Father Blessed be the times together When large hands around small Would lead me on forwards To dreams and ambitions Brought to light by loving confidence

Oh Father Blessed be the times together When the broad shoulders under tiny legs Would lift me above the clouds To beauty and truth Shown only through unwavering strength

Oh Father Blessed be the times together When strong arms surrounding frail body Would carry me past tears To resilience and perseverance Revealed through unyielding devotion

Oh Father How glad am I that you are mine And no one else will ever take your place

Happy Father’s Day

Kim and her father, Joe Datzman

Streets of Mexico

By David Ellison

Maximilian

There are no streets in Mexico named for Maximilian, but there ought to be. Certainly no Mexican history would be complete without him.

Maximilian was an eminently likable, admirable, but hapless fellow. He was born second-in-line to the Austrian throne, and so believed he would never rule. He made the best of things, though, pursuing his wide interests in literature, history, poetry, painting, and science, especially botany. He learned to speak at least seven languages.

A prankster as a kid, Maximilian was (unlike his dour older brother) charismatic, popular, and grew up to become quite liberal politically. When he accompanied his brother on European military campaigns to suppress rebellions, he was appalled: “We call our age the Age of Enlightenment, but there are cities in Europe where, in the future, men will look back in horror and amazement at the injustice of tribunals, which in a spirit of vengeance condemned to death those whose only crime lay in wanting something different to the arbitrary rule of governments which placed themselves above the law.”

At the age of only 22, Maximilian assumed command of the entire Austrian imperial navy. With dreams of making it the equal to England’s, he worked diligently and quite effectively to modernize it, creating a battle fleet that his uncle would later deploy with great success.

But Maximilian was unlucky with women. His first love, Portuguese Princess Amalia, died of tuberculosis. Bereft, he wore her ring for the rest of his life. He finally married Belgian Princess Carlota, but she eventually descended into complete, hysterical madness.

Apparently, good luck finally found Maximilian. France’s Napoleon III had invaded Mexico, and both he and the Mexican conservatives offered Maximilian the throne. Even England’s Queen Victoria and the Pope endorsed the prospect of his coronation.

Nonetheless, Maximilian insisted that the Mexican people accept him, and he initially believed the sham plebiscite the conservatives had concocted to fool him. He knew something was wrong when, upon arriving in Mexico, the liberal city of Veracruz received him quite coldly.

Undaunted, Maximilian took up residence in Mexico City’s Chapultepec Castle (the tragic scene of Los Niños Heroes) and, with the slogan of “Equity and Justice,” he got to work.

First, he continued to implement the liberal policies of President-inexile Benito Juárez, such as land reform and religious freedom for all. In addition, he reduced the work day from 10 to eight hours, prohibited corporal punishment, and annulled peasants’ debts. He even offered to make Juárez his prime minister. (The conservatives clearly had not done their homework about him!) Finally, to demonstrate that the hereditary throne would become truly Mexican, he adopted Iturbide’s grandchildren as his heirs.

All his well-meaning efforts spelled his doom. The conservatives, aghast, abandoned him, calling him a traitor. The liberals saw him only as an invader. When, at the end of its civil war, the United States was finally able to enforce the Monroe Doctrine, it marched an army to the Mexico border, threatening to invade in support of Juárez. Napoleon III blinked, and withdrew his troops.

Maximilian should have fled with the French; but, honorable to a fault (and perhaps more than a bit delusional), he refused to abandon the generals still loyal to him. He fought Juárez’s forces bravely with them, was captured, and finally executed at their side. (Juárez, fed up with the conservatives’ and Europeans’ machinations, refused to show him mercy.)

Maximilian’s noble, final words: “I forgive everyone, and I ask everyone to forgive me. May my blood, which is about to be shed, be for the good of the country. ¡Viva Mexico! ¡Viva la independencia!”

Yes, there ought to be a street named Maximilian.

This is a selection from David Ellison’s forthcoming book, Niños Héroes: The Fascinating Stories Behind Mexican Street Names.

Verdant View

By Francisco Nava

Celebrate The Solstice With A Full Day Of Gardening

Tuesday June 21, 2022 is this year’s summer solstice, which marks the longest

day of the year. The term “solstice” comes from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still) or stitium (stopped). Close to the Arctic Circle we would find 24 hours of sunlight with which to garden. We can sneak in about 14 hours of gardening on June 20, so take advantage of the long daylight hours.

Bringing warmer temperatures and extra sunlight the summer solstice also brings flowers blossoming, harvest in the vegetable garden and weeds. Keep on top of your bolting plants.

Given all the work we have done in our gardens since fall, when June rolls around we are ready for a change in gardening schedule. We now sneak out in the cool of the morning, take cover in the mid day and return in the early evening hours to our gardens.

What to plant in June

The beginning of June is a great time to plant another round of annuals from seed. You can still directly sow into your garden a new crop of zinnias (Zinnia spp. and cvs.), sunflowers (Helianthus annuus), or even basil. Almost all the cucurbits (which include squash and melon) can be direct-seeded now to help ensure a longer cropping cycle. As older plants slow production or develop insect problems, you can replant and get a second crop.

With the beginning of the rains in mid-June, the viveros will have dahlias, all types of begonias, impatiens and verbenas. Also rudbeckia and flor amarilla. It’s a good time to put in ferns. Maiden hair ferns are quite sensitive so be careful with pesticides. Stag horns should be kept moist and out of direct sun. All types of lilies will be blooming now. It’s a very busy time in the garden. Some flower seeds to plant in June are cosmos, marigolds, sunflowers and zinnias. Disbud dahlias for larger blooms. Stake tall plants before the rains begin. They will grow quickly. Plant beans, beets, peppers, okra, sweet corn and tomatoes. If your garden is small, plant tomatoes and peppers in pots. They will be fine. Just remember to water them frequently, as the soil in pots dries out faster. If you have not been spraying for pests, now is a good time to start. Many Mexican gardeners swear by a mixture of shaved Lirio soap, dissolved in water with a pack of El Faro cigarettes, as an effective spray for most insects, especially white fly. Strain the mixture before putting it through your sprayer.

Weeds are growing faster now. Keep up with them. Don’t forget to plant some herbs. Divide and replant iris. Keep deadheading regularly.

Lavender, marjoram, rosemary, sage, savory, and thyme do fine in hot sun and poor but well-drained soil with minimal fertilizer. On the other hand, basil, chives, coriander (cilantro) and parsley prefer richer soil with more frequent watering.

Choose transplants that aren’t root bound. Confined roots can’t spread out fast enough to absorb enough moisture and nutrients to survive summer heat now that the weather and soil are already hot, so they wilt frequently or die.

When replanting areas where you’ve just grown vegetables, follow heavy-feeding leafy vegetables like spinach and cabbage with nitrogenreplenishing legumes such as peas, beans, and soybeans. Don’t fertilize the soil again before succession plantings of beans or carrots. Excess nitrogen results in forked and hairy carrots and lush bean plants with fewer bean pods. Add some compost before setting out spinach, kale, and lettuce, since you do want lush foliage in these crops.

Francisco Nava